11 Metal bioleaching: fundamentals and geobiotechnical application of aerobic and anaerobic acidophiles
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Jeannette Marrero
Abstract
Bioleaching of sulfide ores has been extensively studied for more than 50 years and is applied worldwide at industrial level. However, the processing of oxide ores such as laterites lags behind in theory and application. This book chapter provides an update of the biotechnical applications of acidophiles in biomining of sulfide ores as well as will focus on the bioleaching of iron oxide minerals for the recovery of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper mainly. Moreover, this chapter gives an update of the main adaptation mechanisms to low pH developed by acidophiles. In addition, an overview is given about fundamentals of the mechanisms of bioleaching of sulfide and laterite ores, including aerobic and anaerobic bioprocesses, as well as examples of commercial applications and future directions for biomining with acidophiles.
Abstract
Bioleaching of sulfide ores has been extensively studied for more than 50 years and is applied worldwide at industrial level. However, the processing of oxide ores such as laterites lags behind in theory and application. This book chapter provides an update of the biotechnical applications of acidophiles in biomining of sulfide ores as well as will focus on the bioleaching of iron oxide minerals for the recovery of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper mainly. Moreover, this chapter gives an update of the main adaptation mechanisms to low pH developed by acidophiles. In addition, an overview is given about fundamentals of the mechanisms of bioleaching of sulfide and laterite ores, including aerobic and anaerobic bioprocesses, as well as examples of commercial applications and future directions for biomining with acidophiles.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Contributing authors xvii
- 1 Extremophiles: a promising source of novel natural products 1
- 2 The extremophilic pharmacy: drug discovery at the limits of life 43
- 3 Metabolic engineering of thermophilic bacteria for production of biotechnologically interesting compounds 73
- 4 Extremozymes: from discovery to novel bio-products 97
- 5 The compatible solute ectoine: protection mechanisms, strain development, and industrial production 121
- 6 Thermophilic photosynthesis-based microbial communities – energy production and conversion 153
- 7 Photosynthesis at high latitudes – adaptation of photosynthetic microorganisms to Nordic climates 165
- 8 Roles of extremophiles in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil environment 197
- 9 Bioremediative potential of bacteria in cold desert environments 231
- 10 Subsurface extremophiles and nuclear waste storage 243
- 11 Metal bioleaching: fundamentals and geobiotechnical application of aerobic and anaerobic acidophiles 261
- 12 Cyanobacterium-based technologies in space and on Earth 289
- 13 The biotechnological potential of yeast under extreme conditions 313
- 14 Biotechnological potential of tardigrades 357
- Index 391
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Contributing authors xvii
- 1 Extremophiles: a promising source of novel natural products 1
- 2 The extremophilic pharmacy: drug discovery at the limits of life 43
- 3 Metabolic engineering of thermophilic bacteria for production of biotechnologically interesting compounds 73
- 4 Extremozymes: from discovery to novel bio-products 97
- 5 The compatible solute ectoine: protection mechanisms, strain development, and industrial production 121
- 6 Thermophilic photosynthesis-based microbial communities – energy production and conversion 153
- 7 Photosynthesis at high latitudes – adaptation of photosynthetic microorganisms to Nordic climates 165
- 8 Roles of extremophiles in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil environment 197
- 9 Bioremediative potential of bacteria in cold desert environments 231
- 10 Subsurface extremophiles and nuclear waste storage 243
- 11 Metal bioleaching: fundamentals and geobiotechnical application of aerobic and anaerobic acidophiles 261
- 12 Cyanobacterium-based technologies in space and on Earth 289
- 13 The biotechnological potential of yeast under extreme conditions 313
- 14 Biotechnological potential of tardigrades 357
- Index 391
