Mining bacteria turn toxic copper ions into useful metal Mining bacteria turn toxic c.
Researchers have isolated a bacterium that can convert toxic forms of copper into useable metallic copper 1/1
Copper is one of the most widely used metals, but extracting and refining it into a useful form can be energy intensive and requires harsh chemical treatments. But now, researchers at the University of Houston have discovered bacteria that naturally convert toxic copper ions into metallic copper.
No matter how inhospitable an environment seems to us, chances are high that some form of life will find a way to thrive there. Copper mines are one such example – copper ores can be toxic – but certain species of bacteria have been found living there. And in the new study, researchers investigated what they’re actually doing in these mines.