Bio-electrochemical recovery of copper from dilute acidic solutions as a function of external resistance, copper and iron concentrations

Bioelectrochemical systems provide a promis-ing tool for the copper recovery from the heap leaching solutions which usually contain low copper and high iron concentrations. In this study, the role of copper and fer-rous ion concentrations, and external resistance in the removal of synthetic sulfuric acid solutions by a lab-scale Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) was investigated and good results were obtained in the removal of copper.