Electrochemical iron recovery from biologically produced magnetite via iron oxide/hydroxide conversion: First steps toward terrestrial and Martian applications

Ferrihydrite (Fe10O14(OH)2), an iron oxide/hydroxide, is found in a variety of terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. This study presents a novel approach that combines biomineralization and electrolysis for the efficient mining of low-grade iron resources. Iron-reducing Carboxydothermus ferrireducens bacteria converted an iron oxide/hydroxide Fe(III) mixture to magnetite. This ferrimagnet...