What Role Does Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans Play in the Copper Leaching

Question

What role does Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans play in the copper leaching process?
A) oxidation of sulfide to sulfate
B) reduction of oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) to reduced iron (Fe²⁺)
C) oxidation of reduced iron (Fe²⁺) to oxidized iron (Fe³⁺)
D) reduction of sulfate to sulfide

Accepted Answer

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium that oxidizes ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) to ferric iron (Fe³⁺), which is an important step in the bioleaching process of copper.