4.8.2.3 (HT only) Evaluate alternative 1 Extended writing: describe the Research information for biological methods of processes of the processes of: The Earth’s resources of metal extraction metal ores are limited. phytomining phytomining Video clip YouTube: (bacterial and Copper ores are becoming bioleaching. bioleaching. phytoextraction). scarce and new ways of Evaluate the impacts and Include percentage of extracting copper from benefits of biological methods metal extracted, ores include of extracting metal. concentration of global phytomining and bioleaching. warming gases WS 1.4 These methods avoid released, amount of traditional mining methods of Evaluate environmental electricity used etc. digging, moving and implications of the applications Use this data in an disposing of large amounts of of science. evaluation. rock. It may be possible to Phytomining uses plants to model phytomining in absorb metal compounds. the laboratory by The plants are harvested and watering geraniums with then burned to produce ash dilute copper sulphate that contains the metal for a period of time. The compounds. leaves can be burnt and Bioleaching uses bacteria to copper can be extracted produce leachate solutions from the ash by rinsing that contain metal in dilute hydrochloric compounds. acid and electrolysing The metal compounds can the solution. be processed to obtain the metal. For example, copper can be obtained from
4.8.2.3 (HT only) The Earth’s resources of metal ores are limited. Copper ores are becoming scarce and new ways of extracting copper from ores include phytomining and bioleaching. These methods avoid traditional mining methods of digging, moving and disposing of large amounts of rock. Phytomining uses plants to absorb metal compounds. The plants are harvested and then burned to produce ash that contains the metal compounds. Bioleaching uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions that contain metal compounds. The metal compounds can be processed to obtain the metal. For example, copper can be obtained from Evaluate alternative biological methods of metal extraction (bacterial and phytoextraction). 1 Extended writing: describe the processes of phytomining bioleaching. Evaluate the impacts and benefits of biological methods of extracting metal. WS 1.4 Evaluate environmental implications of the applications of science. Research information for the processes of: phytomining bioleaching. Include percentage of metal extracted, concentration of global warming gases released, amount of electricity used etc. Use this data in an evaluation. It may be possible to model phytomining in the laboratory by watering geraniums with dilute copper sulphate for a period of time. The leaves can be burnt and copper can be extracted from the ash by rinsing in dilute hydrochloric acid and electrolysing the solution. Video clip YouTube:
AQA-8465-SOW-GSE.DOCX