101
|
|
102
|
Maes S, Props R, Fitts JP, Smet RD, Vilchez-Vargas R, Vital M, Pieper DH, Vanhaecke F, Boon N, Hennebel T. Platinum Recovery from Synthetic Extreme Environments by Halophilic Bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:2619-2626. [PMID: 26854514 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Metal recycling based on urban mining needs to be established to tackle the increasing supply risk of critical metals such as platinum. Presently, efficient strategies are missing for the recovery of platinum from diluted industrial process streams, often characterized by extremely low pHs and high salt concentrations. In this research, halophilic mixed cultures were employed for the biological recovery of platinum (Pt). Halophilic bacteria were enriched from Artemia cysts, living in salt lakes, in different salt matrices (sea salt mixture and NH4Cl; 20-210 g L(-1) salts) and at low to neutral pH (pH 3-7). The main taxonomic families present in the halophilic cultures were Halomonadaceae, Bacillaceae, and Idiomarinaceae. The halophilic cultures were able to recover >98% Pt(II) and >97% Pt(IV) at pH 2 within 3-21 h (4-453 mg Ptrecovered h(-1) g(-1) biomass). X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed the reduction to Pt(0) and transmission electron microscopy revealed both intra- and extracellular Pt precipitates, with median diameters of 9-30 nm and 11-13 nm, for Pt(II) and Pt(IV), respectively. Flow cytometric membrane integrity staining demonstrated the preservation of cell viability during platinum recovery. This study demonstrates the Pt recovery potential of halophilic mixed cultures in acidic saline conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Synthia Maes
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Ruben Props
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey P Fitts
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University , Princeton, New York 08544, United States
| | - Rebecca De Smet
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Ghent University , De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Ramiro Vilchez-Vargas
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Marius Vital
- Microbial Interactions and Processes Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dietmar H Pieper
- Microbial Interactions and Processes Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University , Krijgslaan 281 (S12), B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Nico Boon
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Tom Hennebel
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
103
|
Nancharaiah Y, Mohan SV, Lens P. Biological and Bioelectrochemical Recovery of Critical and Scarce Metals. Trends Biotechnol 2016; 34:137-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
104
|
Funari V, Bokhari SNH, Vigliotti L, Meisel T, Braga R. The rare earth elements in municipal solid waste incinerators ash and promising tools for their prospecting. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 301:471-479. [PMID: 26414924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Bottom and fly ashes from Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators (MSWI) are hazardous products that present concern for their safe management. An attractive option to reduce their impact both on the environment and the financial commitment is turning MSWI ashes into secondary raw materials. In this study we present the REE content and distribution of bottom and fly ashes from MSWI after a highly effective digestion method and samples analysis by ICP-MS. The chondrite-normalised REE patterns of MSWI bottom and fly ash are comparable with that of crustal averages, suggesting a main geogenic source. Deviations from typical crustal pattern (e.g., Eu, Tb) disclose a contribution of likely anthropogenic provenance. The correlation with major elements indicates possible sources for REE and facilitates a preliminary resource assessment. Moreover, magnetic susceptibility measurements can be a useful prospecting method in urban ores made of MSWI ashes. The relationship between REE and some influencing parameters (e.g., Pricing Influence Factor) emphasises the importance of MSWI ash as alternative source of REE and the need of further efforts for REE recovery and purification from low concentrations but high flows waste.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Funari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA)-University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 1, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Luigi Vigliotti
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR)-National Research Council, Via Piero Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thomas Meisel
- General and Analytical Chemistry-Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Str. 18, Leoben, Austria
| | - Roberto Braga
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA)-University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 1, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
van Dijk KC, Lesschen JP, Oenema O. Phosphorus flows and balances of the European Union Member States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 542:1078-93. [PMID: 26421756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Global society faces serious "phosphorus challenges" given the scarcity, essentiality, unequal global distribution and, at the same time, regional excess of phosphorus (P). Phosphorus flow studies can be used to analyze these challenges, providing insight into how society (re)uses and loses phosphorus, identifying potential solutions. Phosphorus flows were analyzed in detail for EU-27 and its Member States. To quantify food system and non-food flows, country specific data and historical context were considered. The sectors covered were crop production (CP), animal production (AP), food processing (FP), non-food production (NF) and consumption (HC). The results show that the EU-27 imported 2392 Gg P in 2005, half of which accumulated in agricultural soils (924 Gg) and half was lost as waste (1217 Gg). Net accumulation was 4.9 kg P/ha/year ranging between +23.2 (Belgium) and -2.8 (Slovakia). From the system losses, 54% was lost from HC in diverse waste flows and 28% from FP, mainly through incinerated slaughter residues. The largest HC losses (655 Gg) were wastewater (55%), food waste (27%), and pet excreta (11%). Phosphorus recycling rates were 73% in AP, 29% in FP, 21% in HC and ~0% in NF. The phosphorus use efficiencies showed that, relative to sector input, about 70% was taken up by crops (CP), 24% was retained in animals (AP), 52% was contained in food products (FP), 76% was stored in non-food materials (NF), and 21% was recycled (HC). Although wide-ranging variation between countries, generally phosphorus use in EU-27 was characterized by relatively (1) large dependency on (primary) imports, (2) long-term accumulation in agricultural soils, especially in west European countries, (3) leaky losses throughout entire society, especially emissions to the environment and sequestered waste, (4) little recycling with the exception of manure, and (5) low use efficiencies, because of aforementioned issues, providing ample opportunities for improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimo C van Dijk
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Peter Lesschen
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Oene Oenema
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Venkatesan AK, Hamdan AHM, Chavez VM, Brown JD, Halden RU. Mass Balance Model for Sustainable Phosphorus Recovery in a US Wastewater Treatment Plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2016; 45:84-9. [PMID: 26828163 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2014.11.0504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In response to limited phosphorus (P) reserves worldwide, several countries have demonstrated the prospect of recovering significant amounts of P from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This technique uses enhanced biological P removal (EBPR) to concentrate P in sludge followed by chemical precipitation of P as struvite, a usable phosphate mineral. The present study models the feasibility of this enhanced removal and recovery technique in a WWTP in Arizona with design parameters typical of infrastructure in the United States. A mass balance was performed for existing treatment processes and modifications proposed to estimate the quantity of P that could be recovered under current and future flow conditions. Modeling results show that about 71 to 96% of the P being lost potentially could be recovered as struvite. About 491 ± 64 t yr of struvite may be recovered after process modification, which corresponds to $150,000 ± $20,000 yr in P sales to fertilizer industries. The process was projected to be economically feasible, with a payback period of 45 ± 30 yr in the studied WWTP and a much shorter duration of 3 ± 1 yr for WWTPs already using an EBPR process. Furthermore, modeling results suggest that P recovery can improve the quality of biosolids by favorably reducing the P:N ratio. Implementation of this strategy at US WWTPs may increase national security by reducing dependence of limited P resources. Considering all aspects of the recovery process with respect to environmental, economic, and social implications, the examined technique is concluded to represent a cost-attractive and sustainable method for P management in US WWTPs.
Collapse
|
107
|
Huang R, Tang Y. Speciation Dynamics of Phosphorus during (Hydro)Thermal Treatments of Sewage Sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:14466-74. [PMID: 26633236 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
(Hydro)thermal treatments of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment process can significantly reduce waste volume and transform sludge into valuable products such as pyrochar and hydrochar. Given the global concern with phosphorus (P) resource depletion, P recycling/reclamation from or direct soil application of the derived chars can be potential P recycling practices. In order to evaluate P recyclability as well as the selection and optimization of treatment techniques, it is critical to understand the effects of different treatment techniques and conditions on P speciation and distribution. In the present study, we systematically characterized P speciation in chars derived from thermal (i.e., pyrolysis) and hydrothermal treatments of municipal sewage sludge using complementary chemical extraction and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methods. P species in the raw activated sludge was dominated by orthophosphate and long-chain polyphosphates, whereas increased amounts of pyrophosphate and short-chain polyphosphates formed after pyrolysis at 250-600 °C. In contrast, hydrothermal treatments resulted in the production of only inorganic orthophosphate in the hydrochar. In addition to the change of molecular speciation, thermal treatments also altered the physical state and extractability of different P species in the pyrochars from pyrolysis, with both total P and polyphosphate being less extractable with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Results from this study suggest that P speciation and availability in sludge-derived chars are tunable by varying treatment techniques and conditions, and provide fundamental knowledge basis for the design and selection of waste management strategies for better nutrient (re)cycling and reclamation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rixiang Huang
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology , 311 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, Georgia 30324-0340, United States
| | - Yuanzhi Tang
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology , 311 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, Georgia 30324-0340, United States
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Okesola BO, Suravaram SK, Parkin A, Smith DK. Selective Extraction and In Situ Reduction of Precious Metal Salts from Model Waste To Generate Hybrid Gels with Embedded Electrocatalytic Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201507684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
109
|
Okesola BO, Suravaram SK, Parkin A, Smith DK. Selective Extraction and In Situ Reduction of Precious Metal Salts from Model Waste To Generate Hybrid Gels with Embedded Electrocatalytic Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 55:183-7. [PMID: 26549625 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201507684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A hydrogel based on 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidenesorbitol (DBS), modified with acyl hydrazides which extracts gold/silver salts from model waste is reported, with preferential uptake of precious heavy metals over other common metals. Reduction of gold/silver salts occurs spontaneously in the gel to yield metal nanoparticles located on the gel nanofibers. High nanoparticle loadings can be achieved, endowing the gel with electrochemical activity. These hybrid gels exhibit higher conductances than gels doped with carbon nanotubes, and can be used to modify electrode surfaces, enhancing electrocatalysis. We reason this simple, industrially and environmentally relevant approach to conducting materials is of considerable significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Babatunde O Okesola
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (UK)
| | - Sindhu K Suravaram
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (UK)
| | - Alison Parkin
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (UK)
| | - David K Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (UK).
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
|
111
|
Schaubroeck T, De Clippeleir H, Weissenbacher N, Dewulf J, Boeckx P, Vlaeminck SE, Wett B. Environmental sustainability of an energy self-sufficient sewage treatment plant: improvements through DEMON and co-digestion. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 74:166-79. [PMID: 25727156 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
It is still not proven that treatment of sewage in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is (in every case) environmentally friendly. To address this matter, we have applied a state-of-the-art life cycle assessment (LCA) to an energy self-sufficient WWTP in Strass (Austria), its supply chain and the valorization of its 'products': produced electricity out of biogas from sludge digestion and the associated stabilized digestate, applied as agricultural fertilizer. Prominent aspects of our study are: a holistic environmental impact assessment, measurement of greenhouse gas emissions (including N2O), and accounting for infrastructure, replacement of conventional fertilizers and toxicity of metals present in the stabilized digestate. Additionally, the environmental sustainability improvement by implementing one-stage partial nitritation/anammox (e.g. DEMON(®)) and co-digestion was also assessed. DEMON on the digesters reject water leads to a considerable saving of natural resources compared to nitritiation/denitritation (about 33% of the life cycle resource input), this through the lowering of sludge consumption for N-removal, and thus increasing electricity production via a higher sludge excess. However, its N2O emission could be restrained through further optimization as it represents a large share (30-66%) of the plants' damaging effect on human health, this through climate change. The co-substrate addition to the digester resulted in no significant improvement of the digestion process but induced net electricity generation. If respective amounts of conventional fertilizers are replaced, the land application of the stabilized digestate is environmentally friendly through prevention of natural resource consumption and diversity loss, but possibly not regarding human health impact due the presence of toxic heavy metals, mainly Zn, in the digestate. The outcomes show that the complete life cycle results in a prevention of resource extraction from nature and a potential mitigation of diversity loss (though for some impact categories no quantification of associated diversity loss is possible) but it also leads to a damaging effect on human health, mainly via climate change and heavy metal toxicity. Since it is for now impossible to aggregate the impact to these different aspects in a sound manner, it is not yet possible to consider in this case the studied system as environmentally friendly. Generally, the field of LCA needs further development to present a better and single outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schaubroeck
- Research Group ENVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Haydée De Clippeleir
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA
| | - Norbert Weissenbacher
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jo Dewulf
- Research Group ENVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry (ISOFYS), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernhard Wett
- ARAconsult, Unterbergerstr. 1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
112
|
Zhuang WQ, Fitts JP, Ajo-Franklin CM, Maes S, Alvarez-Cohen L, Hennebel T. Recovery of critical metals using biometallurgy. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 33:327-35. [PMID: 25912797 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The increased development of green low-carbon energy technologies that require platinum group metals (PGMs) and rare earth elements (REEs), together with the geopolitical challenges to sourcing these metals, has spawned major governmental and industrial efforts to rectify current supply insecurities. As a result of the increasing critical importance of PGMs and REEs, environmentally sustainable approaches to recover these metals from primary ores and secondary streams are needed. In this review, we define the sources and waste streams from which PGMs and REEs can potentially be sustainably recovered using microorganisms, and discuss the metal-microbe interactions most likely to form the basis of different environmentally friendly recovery processes. Finally, we highlight the research needed to address challenges to applying the necessary microbiology for metal recovery given the physical and chemical complexities of specific streams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Qin Zhuang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1710, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey P Fitts
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Caroline M Ajo-Franklin
- Material Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Synthia Maes
- Laboratory for Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1710, United States
| | - Tom Hennebel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1710, United States.
| |
Collapse
|