Bioextraction and Biodeterioration of Metals

Interactions between microbes and metals have a huge economic importance. Metallic structures and apparatus can be corroded, leading to reduced efficiency of operation and even danger to users. However, micro-organisms have enormous potential for the removal of economically important metals from their ores. There has been intense research in this field of biotechnology in recent years, and this is reviewed here. Specialists cover the different aspects of the subject in separate chapters which include marine corrosion and the prospects and management of biomining bacteria. The chemical and electrochemical aspects and the prospects for controlling the positive and negative effects of these micro-organisms are covered in detail. Mining and oil industries engineers and researchers will find the contents of this book extremely pertinent. Researchers in biotechnology, metallurgy and microbiology will also find much of interest here.