Effects of bacteriophage on the surface properties of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and phage-induced flocculation of chalcopyrite, glacial till, and oil sands tailings

The binding of mineral‐specific phage to the surface of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) was investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning Auger microscopy. These studies confirmed the elemental composition of the minerals and confirmed that bacteriophage were bound to the mineral surface. These techniques also revealed that the phage were not forming a continuous film over the entire surface of the CuFeS2 particles, but selectively bound to the slimes coating the particles. In addition, the effect of mineral‐specific phage binding to the surface of CuFeS2 was investigated using induction time and zeta potential measurements. Bacteriophage (1012/mL) increased the induction time (contact time resulting in 50% particle attachment to a bubble) from ∼7.5 to ∼17 ms and reversed the zeta potential from negative to positive. In the course of performing the zeta potential measurements on particles