Okay here we go,
Have you ever wondered for a second, is there a possibility that metals can be dug up from deep within the Earth without wreaking havoc on our beloved planet? Well, hold onto those thought even if its for a second because I'm about to introduce you to a world where tiny creatures hold the key to unlocking Earth's treasures a phenomenon known as Biomining
So, what on Earth is biomining anyway?
Let me break it down for you in simple terms. Biomining is like nature's own mining operation, but instead of big machines and heavy equipment, this time, we've got bacteria and fungi doing all the heavy lifting. These tiny but mighty organism have the incredible ability to extract metals from rocks and ores, all while keeping Mother Nature happy, healthy and untampered with.
You might be thinking, "How in the world do these little micro-critters pull off such a feat?" Well, my friend, it's all in their DNA. These microorganisms are more like the stars of the microbial world, and they've got some seriously cool tricks up their sleeves just like the popular belief "everyone one has something they are good at, this time, for these microbes its called biomining . When they come into contact with ores, they start throwing what you could call a biochemical party, producing acids and other chemicals that break down the rocks and release the precious metals trapped inside.
Now, these microbial magicians aren't just any ordinary creatures; they're extremophiles, which basically means they're like the Chuck Norris of the microbe world. They can survive in the harshest conditions imaginable, from scorching hot temperatures to bone-chilling cold, and even in the most acidic or alkaline environments. If resilience was a microorganism, its the biominers.
Apparently, you might be wondering why we should care about biomining when we've already got traditional mining methods in place. Well, my curious friend, let me enlighten you. Bio-mining is like the eco-friendly cousin of traditional mining. It's kinder to the environment, less expensive, and more efficient. Plus, it can extract metals from ores that traditional mining methods wouldn't even dare to touch.
Forget the slogan everything comes at a price alright, I want you to take a moment, close your eye and imagine a world where we as human beings can satisfy our hunger for shiny metals without leaving a trail of destruction in our wake, how would that world feel like ? How would it smell like ? That's the beauty of Biomining. It's a win-win for both humans and Mother Nature.
Now as good as biomining sounds, hold on, hold on, because you see, there is a bit of challenge in all these, biomining is still in its infancy. We're just scratching the surface of what these mighty microbes can do. With more research and innovation, biomining could revolutionize the mining industry as we know it and you would probably be there to tell the tale .
So, the very next time you're out for a hike and you stumble upon the beauty of nature, in its wonderous glory always remember, that nature can be preserved if large scale biomining becomes indispensable in the mining industry . Microbes may be small, but they're mighty indeed. And who knows, maybe one day these microbes would be the heroes of our quest for sustainable resource extraction.
Yeah, that all from me on that, in conclusion, biomining is more like nature's own mining party, where tiny microbes break down rocks and release precious metals without harming the environment. It's a game-changer for the mining industry. To be honest, we do need the game to change to one which can be won by mother nature and us, everybody goes home happy metaphorically.
The vicious cycle and dynamics of endless destruction just to get some mother natures ores and ores byproducts essentially comes to an end. With continued research and innovation, it could pave the way for a more sustainable future. So, here's to the mighty microbes and their incredible ability to unlock Earth's treasures while keeping our planet beautiful and thriving. Cheers to biomining!
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/extremophile
- https://www.angloamerican.com/futuresmart/stories/our-industry/mining-explained/mining-terms-explained
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958166914000809
- https://www.labiotech.eu/in-depth/biomining-sustainable-microbes/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236019381_Biomining-A_useful_approach_toward_metal_extraction
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23793914/
Header Image by Sergii Koviarov from Pixabay
Second Image by Jakob Strauß from Pixabay
Third Image by Fractals99 from Pixabay
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
So bacteria and fungi extract metal from rock !!,😩 am not aware of this. Thanks for sharing this post sir
You are welcome Mr Mike. Thanks for taking the time to read my post Sir
Thanks for your contribution to the STEMsocial community. Feel free to join us on discord to get to know the rest of us!
Please consider delegating to the @stemsocial account (85% of the curation rewards are returned).
You may also include @stemsocial as a beneficiary of the rewards of this post to get a stronger support.
Once the Metals are Extracted, how do "you" get your hands on them...???