Chemistry GCSE
Bioleaching
What Bioleaching means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Bioleaching
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Reference: AQA
Bacteria obtain energy by breaking down metal sulfide ores, producing a solution containing metal ions that can be processed to obtain the metal.
Uses bacteria that act on low-grade copper ore, helping to break down the ore so copper compounds dissolve.
A biological method that uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions containing copper compounds.
Topics that use Bioleaching
Related terms
- Economic and environmental choices in metal extraction
- Environmental and economic trade-offs in extraction
- Environmental impact of extraction
- Evaluating evidence and reaching justified conclusions
- Finite resources
- Low-grade ores
- Phytomining
- Recycling and resource conservation
Using Bioleaching in the exam
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