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Biomineralization of copper: Solutions for waste remediation and biomining

Conference ·
OSTI ID:585730
; ;  [1]
  1. Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA (United States). Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology

The fungus Penicillium ochro-chloron is able to extract copper from aqueous solutions and form insoluble copper precipitates within the matrix of fungal mycelia. The formation of these complexes is probably a detoxification mechanism used by the organism to deal with the potentially lethal concentrations of heavy metals. Metal immobilization occurs external to the cells but within the mycelia when the solubility products of copper phosphate and copper oxalate are exceeded. This process may be exploited in biomining to remove and recover copper and perhaps other heavy metals that have become solubilized in pit mine lakes.

Sponsoring Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
585730
Report Number(s):
CONF-9705104--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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