The elimination of heavy metals from bioleaching process waters by electrolysis was studied in the anode/cathode region of a membrane electrolysis cell at densities of 5-20mA/cm2.The leaching waters containing a wide range of dissolved heavy metals, were high in sulfate, & had pH values of approximately 3. In preliminary tests using a rotating disc electrode, the current density-potential curve (CPK) was recorded at a rotation velocity of 0, 1000 & 2000 rpm & a scan rate of 10 mV/s in order to collect information on the influence of transport processes taking place at the electrodes. Electrochemical deposition-dissolution processes at the cathode is strongly dependent on hydrodynamics. Examining anodic oxidation of dissolved Mn(II) indicated that manganese dioxide which formed adhered well to the electrode surface but in the cathodic return run was reduced.
