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GCSE Chemistry · key term
A biological extraction method in which bacteria help release metal compounds from low-grade ore into a solution.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.10.1.4 · Paper 2
A biological extraction method in which bacteria help produce a leachate solution containing dissolved metal compounds.
Revise: Alternative Metal ExtractionPhytomining and bioleaching are biological methods that can recover copper compounds from low-grade material while avoiding much of this digging, movement and disposal of rock. They do not, however, produce copper metal immediately.
Specification 4.8 · Paper 1
Do not claim that phytomining or bioleaching produces copper metal directly: each first produces copper compounds, which must be processed further.
Do not confuse the two routes: phytoextraction uses plants and produces metal-rich ash; bioleaching uses bacteria and produces a leachate containing metal ions.
Avoid claiming that biological extraction has no environmental impact. Phytoextraction involves land use and burning harvested plants, while poorly managed bioleaching can release acidic or toxic substances.
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A biological extraction method in which bacteria help release metal ions from an ore into solution.
The two methods required here are phytoextraction, which uses plants, and bacterial extraction, commonly called bioleaching. They can make low-grade ores, mine waste or contaminated soils useful, but both are generally slow. They are therefore alternatives for suitable circumstances, not automatic replacements for every conventional method.
Specification C6.1c · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: Biological Extraction MethodsIn bioleaching, bacteria help release copper compounds from low-grade ore into a liquid. The copper-containing solution is called a leachate. It can be collected and processed to obtain copper metal.