Influence of pH on biological solubilization of oxidized, low-rank coal

Solubilization of nitric acid oxidized Texas lignite by either microorganisms or alkali were compared. Three fungi and three actinomycetes were able to solubilize small amounts of 3.2 N nitric acid-oxidized coal in liquid culture. A correlation was observed between increases in culture fluid pH and solubilization. Extraction of 8 N nitric acid-oxidized Texas lignite with alkaline buffers (pH 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12.3) resulted in extensive coal solubilization. UV-Vis spectra of most microbially solubilized samples were similar to those of alkali solubilized coal. Addition of alkali soluble Texas lignite to growing cultures resulted in no UV-Vis spectral changes with time for the majority of cultures tested. Taken together these data suggest that alkali production is a mechanism by which microorganisms solubilize oxidized coal.