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Retta B, Iovinella M, Ciniglia C. Significance and Applications of the Thermo-Acidophilic Microalga Galdieria sulphuraria (Cyanidiophytina, Rhodophyta). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1786. [PMID: 38999626 PMCID: PMC11243675 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Galdieria sulphuraria is a thermo-acidophilic microalga belonging to the Cyanidiophyceae (Rhodophyta) class. It thrives in extreme environments, such as geothermal sulphuric springs, with low pH, high temperatures, and high salinity. This microalga utilises various growth modes, including autotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic, enabling it to exploit diverse organic carbon sources. Remarkably, G. sulphuraria survives and produces a range of bioactive compounds in these harsh conditions. Moreover, it plays a significant role in environmental remediation by removing nutrients, pathogens, and heavy metals from various wastewater sources. It can also recover rare earth elements from mining wastewater and electronic waste. This review article explores the diverse applications and significant contributions of G. sulphuraria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berhan Retta
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031 Aversa, Italy
| | - Manuela Iovinella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Claudia Ciniglia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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2
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Zhang Y, Zhang T, Cai W, Owens G, Chen Z. Recovery of Y(III) from wastewater by Pseudomonas psychrotolerans isolated from a mine soil. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:134973. [PMID: 38905975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
While microbial technologies, which are considered to be environmentally friendly, have great potential for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from mining wastewater, their applications have been restricted due to a lack of efficient biosorbents. In this study, a strain of Pseudomonas psychrotolerans isolated from yttrium-enriched mine soil was used to recover yttrium (Y(III)) from rare-earth mining wastewater. At an initial Y(III) dose of 50 mg L-1, the amount of Y(III) adsorbed by P. psychrotolerans reached 99.9 % after 24 h. Various characterization techniques revealed that P. psychrotolerans adsorbed Y(III) mainly through complexation of oxygen-containing functional groups and electrostatic interactions. A high level of adsorption efficiency (>99.9 %) was maintained after five consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles, indicating that P. psychrotolerans was highly reusable. While the efficiency of adsorbing Y(III) by P. psychrotolerans decreased (34.4 %) in actual rare earth mining wastewater, selectivity toward other REEs (≤ 18.4 %) was still observed. Consequently, this study provides a promising green, environmentally friendly and sustainable microbial approach for the selective recovery of REEs from rare earth wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China
| | - Wanling Cai
- School of Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, Fujan Chuanzheng Communications College, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China.
| | - Gary Owens
- Environmental Contaminants Group, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australian, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Zuliang Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China.
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3
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Peng Y, Zhu P, Zou Y, Gao Q, Xiong S, Liang B, Xiao B. Overview of Functionalized Porous Materials for Rare-Earth Element Separation and Recovery. Molecules 2024; 29:2824. [PMID: 38930888 PMCID: PMC11206383 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The exceptional photoelectromagnetic characteristics of rare-earth elements contribute significantly to their indispensable position in the high-tech industry. The exponential expansion of the demand for high-purity rare earth and related compounds can be attributed to the swift advancement of contemporary technology. Nevertheless, rare-earth elements are finite and limited resources, and their excessive mining unavoidably results in resource depletion and environmental degradation. Hence, it is crucial to establish a highly effective approach for the extraction and reclamation of rare-earth elements. Adsorption is regarded as a promising technique for the recovery of rare-earth elements owing to its simplicity, environmentally friendly nature, and cost-effectiveness. The efficacy of adsorption is contingent upon the performance characteristics of the adsorbent material. Presently, there is a prevalent utilization of porous adsorbent materials with substantial specific surface areas and plentiful surface functional groups in the realm of selectively separating and recovering rare-earth elements. This paper presents a thorough examination of porous inorganic carbon materials, porous inorganic silicon materials, porous organic polymers, and metal-organic framework materials. The adsorption performance and processes for rare-earth elements are the focal points of discussion about these materials. Furthermore, this work investigates the potential applications of porous materials in the domain of the adsorption of rare-earth elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Peng
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
| | - Pingxin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
| | - Yin Zou
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
| | - Qingyi Gao
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
| | - Shaohui Xiong
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for New Energy Storage and Conversion, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
| | - Binjun Liang
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
| | - Bin Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China; (Y.P.); (P.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.G.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Ionic Rare Earth Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Jiangxi College of Applied Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
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4
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Vítová M, Mezricky D. Microbial recovery of rare earth elements from various waste sources: a mini review with emphasis on microalgae. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:189. [PMID: 38702568 PMCID: PMC11068686 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03974-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are indispensable in contemporary technologies, influencing various aspects of our daily lives and environmental solutions. The escalating demand for REEs has led to increased exploitation, resulting in the generation of diverse REE-bearing solid and liquid wastes. Recognizing the potential of these wastes as secondary sources of REEs, researchers are exploring microbial solutions for their recovery. This mini review provides insights into the utilization of microorganisms, with a particular focus on microalgae, for recovering REEs from sources such as ores, electronic waste, and industrial effluents. The review outlines the principles and distinctions of bioleaching, biosorption, and bioaccumulation, offering a comparative analysis of their potential and limitations. Specific examples of microorganisms demonstrating efficacy in REE recovery are highlighted, accompanied by successful methods, including advanced techniques for enhancing microbial strains to achieve higher REE recovery. Moreover, the review explores the environmental implications of bio-recovery, discussing the potential of these methods to mitigate REE pollution. By emphasizing microalgae as promising biotechnological candidates for REE recovery, this mini review not only presents current advances but also illuminates prospects in sustainable REE resource management and environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milada Vítová
- Department of Phycology, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czechia.
| | - Dana Mezricky
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, IMC Krems, Krems, Austria
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Kastenhofer J, Spadiut O, Papangelakis VG, Allen DG. Roles of pH and phosphate in rare earth element biosorption with living acidophilic microalgae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:262. [PMID: 38483568 PMCID: PMC10940408 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) has spurred interest in the development of recovery methods from aqueous waste streams. Acidophilic microalgae have gained attention for REE biosorption as they can withstand high concentrations of transition metals and do not require added organic carbon to grow, potentially allowing simultaneous sorption and self-replication of the sorbent. Here, we assessed the potential of Galdieria sulphuraria for REE biosorption under acidic, nutrient-replete conditions from solutions containing ≤ 15 ppm REEs. Sorption at pH 1.5-2.5 (the growth optimum of G. sulphuraria) was poor but improved up to 24-fold at pH 5.0 in phosphate-free conditions. Metabolic activity had a negative impact on REE sorption, additionally challenging the feasibility of REE biosorption under ideal growth conditions for acidophiles. We further examined the possibility of REE biosorption in the presence of phosphate for biomass growth at elevated pH (pH ≥ 2.5) by assessing aqueous La concentrations in various culture media. Three days after adding La into the media, dissolved La concentrations were up to three orders of magnitude higher than solubility predictions due to supersaturation, though LaPO4 precipitation occurred under all conditions when seed was added. We concluded that biosorption should occur separately from biomass growth to avoid REE phosphate precipitation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the importance of proper control experiments in biosorption studies to assess potential interactions between REEs and matrix ions such as phosphates. KEY POINTS: • REE biosorption with G. sulphuraria increases significantly when raising pH to 5 • Phosphate for biosorbent growth has to be supplied separately from biosorption • Biosorption studies have to assess potential matrix effects on REE behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kastenhofer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Oliver Spadiut
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Research Group Integrated Bioprocess Development, TU Vienna, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimiros G Papangelakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - D Grant Allen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada.
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Hu J, Wan K, Deng X, Liu X, Fang Y, Zhou F, Yu J, Chi R, Xiao C. Metagenomic analysis revealed the evolution of microbial communities, metabolic pathways, and functional genes in the heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification process under La 3+ stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169243. [PMID: 38101649 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Trivalent lanthanum (La3+) exists widely in ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) tailing water from ionic rare earth mines; however, its effect on heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) is unknown, thereby limiting the application of the HN-AD process in this field. In this study, we conducted an HN-AD process using a sequencing batch reactor (5 L) that was continuously operated to directly treat acidic (NH4)2SO4 wastewater (influent NH4+-N concentration of approximately 110 mg/L and influent pH of 5) containing different La3+ concentrations (0-100 mg/L). The NH4+-N removal efficiency of the reactor reached 98.25 % at a La3+ concentration of 100 mg/L. The reactor was in a neutral-to-alkaline environment, which favored La3+ precipitation and complexation. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Thauera in the reactor remained high (88.62-92.27 %) under La3+ stress. The relative abundances of Pannonobacter and Hyphomonas significantly increased, whereas that of Azoarcus significantly decreased. Metabolic functions in the reactor were mainly contributed by Thauera, and the abundance of metabolic functions under low La3+ stress (≤5 mg/L) significantly differed from that under high La3+ stress (≥10 mg/L). The relative abundance of ammonia assimilation-related genes in the reactor was high and significantly correlated with ammonia removal. However, traditional ammonia oxidation genes were not annotated, and unknown ammonia oxidation pathways may have been present in the reactor. Moreover, La3+ stimulated amino acid biosynthesis and translocation, the citrate cycle, sulfur metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation and promoted the overproduction of extracellular polymeric substances, which underwent complexation and adsorbed La3+ to reduce its toxicity. Our results showed that the HN-AD process had a strong tolerance to La3+, stable NH4+-N removal efficiency, the potential to recover La3+, and considerable application prospects in treating NH4+-N tailing water from ionic rare earth mines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Kai Wan
- Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang 443007, China
| | - Xiangyi Deng
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Xuemei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Yun Fang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Junxia Yu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Ruan Chi
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang 443007, China
| | - Chunqiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang 443007, China.
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7
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Zhang C, Chen W, Zhang T, Chen Z. Biocomposite based on graphene oxide immobilized Pseudomonas psychrotolerans for the recovery of Y(III) in acid mine drainage. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140589. [PMID: 37944763 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) recovery is a critical issue concerning both resource recovery and wastewater utilization. In this study, a new bio-composite was fabricated using graphene oxide immobilized Pseudomonas psychrotolerans (PP@GO), which was isolated from the soil of REEs mine. Results showed that 99.6% Y(III) was removed in 48 h and various characterization confirmed that S-S, -NH2, HPO42-, -OH and -COOH from extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by microorganisms formed complexation with Y(III). As well, the Y(III) adsorption best followed Freundlich isotherm and non-linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model having R2 of 0.985 and 0.996, respectively, demonstrating that the adsorption was governed by multilayered chemisorption. Additionally, the effectiveness of PP@GO was not limited to Y(III), where 27.9% of this substance was removed in acid mine drainage (AMD), also exhibited great adsorption for other REEs, such as Er (45.0%) and Ho (43.8%). Furthermore, the adsorption efficiency of Y(III) remained high (70.0%) after a 5th cycle, emphasizing the consistent stability of PP@GO. Finally, REEs adsorbed could be greatly desorbed by KNO3, like Sm (80.1%) and La (80.0%), which revealed that PP@GO has great potential to recover REEs in AMD. Overall, this study offers a promising strategy for the green and sustainable REEs recovery and wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxin Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian Province, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian Province, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Zuliang Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian Province, China.
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Al-Bagawi AH, Yushin N, Hosny NM, Gomaa I, Ali S, Boyd WC, Kalil H, Zinicovscaia I. Terbium Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using a In 2O 3 Nanoadsorbent and Arthrospira platensis Biomass. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2698. [PMID: 37836339 PMCID: PMC10574616 DOI: 10.3390/nano13192698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Terbium is a rare-earth element with critical importance for industry. Two adsorbents of different origin, In2O3 nanoparticles and the biological sorbent Arthrospira platensis, were applied for terbium removal from aqueous solutions. Several analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, were employed to characterize the adsorbents. The effect of time, pH, and terbium concentration on the adsorption efficiency was evaluated. For both adsorbents, adsorption efficiency was shown to be dependent on the time of interaction and the pH of the solution. Maximum removal of terbium by Arthrospira platensis was attained at pH 3.0 and by In2O3 at pH 4.0-7.0, both after 3 min of interaction. Several equilibrium (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) and kinetics (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Elovich) models were applied to describe the adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity was calculated from the Langmuir model as 212 mg/g for Arthrospira platensis and 94.7 mg/g for the In2O3 nanoadsorbent. The studied adsorbents can be regarded as potential candidates for terbium recovery from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal H. Al-Bagawi
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il City 1560, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Nikita Yushin
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie Str., 6, 141980 Dubna, Russia;
| | - Nasser Mohammed Hosny
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Fouad P.O. Box 42522, Egypt;
| | - Islam Gomaa
- Nanotechnology Research Centre (NTRC), The British University in Egypt (BUE), Suez Desert Road, El-Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt;
| | - Sabah Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt;
| | | | - Haitham Kalil
- Chemistry Department, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA;
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Inga Zinicovscaia
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie Str., 6, 141980 Dubna, Russia;
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului Str. MG-6, 077125 Magurele, Romania
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Pinto J, Colónia J, Abdolvaseei A, Vale C, Henriques B, Pereira E. Algal sorbents and prospects for their application in the sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from E-waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27767-8. [PMID: 37227641 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27767-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Efficient and sustainable secondary sourcing of Rare-Earth Elements (REE) is essential to counter supply bottlenecks and the impacts associated with primary mining. Recycled electronic waste (E-waste) is considered a promising REE source and hydrometallurgical methods followed by chemical separation techniques (usually solvent extraction) have been successfully applied to these wastes with high REE yields. However, the generation of acidic and organic waste streams is considered unsustainable and has led to the search for "greener" approaches. Sorption-based technologies using biomass such as bacteria, fungi and algae have been developed to sustainably recover REE from e-waste. Algae sorbents in particular have experienced growing research interest in recent years. Despite its high potential, sorption efficiency is strongly influenced by sorbent-specific parameters such as biomass type and state (fresh/dried, pre-treatment, functionalization) as well as solution parameters such as pH, REE concentration, and matrix complexity (ionic strength and competing ions). This review highlights differences in experimental conditions among published algal-based REE sorption studies and their impact on sorption efficiency. Since research into algal sorbents for REE recovery from real wastes is still in its infancy, aspects such as the economic viability of a realistic application are still unexplored. However, it has been proposed to integrate REE recovery into an algal biorefinery concept to increase the economics of the process (by providing a range of additional products), but also in the prospect of achieving carbon neutrality (as large-scale algae cultivation can act as a CO2 sink).
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pinto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Colónia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Carlos Vale
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Bruno Henriques
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Eduarda Pereira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Wang H, Liu Z, Cui D, Liu Y, Yang L, Chen H, Qiu G, Geng Y, Xiong Z, Shao P, Luo X. A pilot scale study on the treatment of rare earth tailings (REEs) wastewater with low C/N ratio using microalgae photobioreactor. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:116973. [PMID: 36525735 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae appear to be a promising and ecologically safe way for nutrients removal from rare earth tailings (REEs) wastewater with CO2 fixation and added benefits of resource recovery and recycling. In this study, a pilot scale (50 L) co-flocculating microalgae photobioreactor (Ma-PBR) as constructed and operated for 140 days to treat REEs wastewater with low C/N ratio of 0.51-0.56. The removal rate of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) reached 88.04% and the effluent residual concentration was as low as 9.91 mg/L that have met the Emission Standards of Pollutants from Rare Earths Industry (GB 26451-2011). Timely supplementation of trace elements was necessary to maintain the activity of microalgae and then prolonged the operation time. The dominant phyla in co-flocculating microalgae was Chlorophyta, the relative abundance of which was higher than 80%. Tetradesmus belonging to Chlorophyceae was the dominant genus with relative abundance of 80.35%. The results provided a practical support for the scaling-up of Ma-PBR to treat REEs wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Wang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Zhuochao Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Dan Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Yuanqi Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Liming Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
| | | | - Genping Qiu
- Eco-advance co., led, Jiangxi, 341000, PR China
| | - Yanni Geng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Zhensheng Xiong
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Penghui Shao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Xubiao Luo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
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