Glossary
Biotechnologies in extractive metallurgy - Microbiology and metal recovery

autotrophic :

Refers to a living organism that uses only carbon dioxide from the air to synthesize its constituents, and draws its energy from mineral compounds.

lithotrophic :

An organism that derives its energy from the oxidation of a mineral substrate.

case-hardening :

Method of extracting a metal from an aqueous solution by a redox reaction that precipitates one metal in elemental form by reduction (Cu⁺⁺ + 2e^- → Cu°), while another is dissolved by oxidation (Fe° → Fe⁺⁺ + 2e^-).

sulfate dissimilation :

The proportion of sulfate transformation required to introduce it into biological syntheses, where the sulfate ion acts as an electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration.

elution :

Process for solubilizing a compound absorbed by an aqueous solution or solvent from a solid material or a liquid...