BIOLEACHING OF COPPER FROM FERROMANGANESE SEA NODULE OF INDIAN OCEAN

摘要

Ferromanganese sea nodule is an abundant low-grade metal reserve of Indian ocean, However, it can be a potential substrate for bioextraction of metals like copper, It has been found that 85% of copper could be leached in seven days in batch fermentation using Aspergillus spp. at 30 degrees C. Bioleaching of copper was found to be organic-acid mediated. Scanning electron micrographs revealed eroded areas indicating biosolubilization of copper from the nodule. [References: 14]