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Brown RM, Struhs E, Mirkouei A, Raja K, Reed D. Mixed rare earth metals production from surface soil in Idaho, USA: Techno-economic analysis and greenhouse gas emission assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 944:173945. [PMID: 38876346 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth elements are crucial for the development of cutting-edge technologies in various sectors, such as energy, transportation, and health care. Traditional extraction of rare earth elements from soil and ore deposits primarily involves chemical leaching and solvent extraction. Environmental-based biological rare earth element extraction, such as bioleaching, can be a promising alternative to mitigate pollution and hazardous wastes. We investigated the sustainability aspects (techno-economic and environmental impact) of mixed rare earth metals production from soil in Idaho, USA. We focused on the bioleaching of surface soil using techno-economic analysis and "cradle-to-gate" life cycle assessment. The system boundary included collection, transportation, bioleaching, and molten salt electrolysis. Our results revealed that the mixed rare earth metals (including Nd, Ce, and La) production costs approximately $10,851 per metric ton and generates 1.9 × 106 kg CO2 eq./ton. Our results showed that most emissions are due to energy consumption during bioleaching. Over a 100-year time horizon ultrasound-assisted bioleaching can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 91 % compared to the traditional bioleaching process by decreasing the organic acid leaching process time and energy consumption. Our work demonstrates that higher solids loading in leaching with biological reactions can promote economic feasibility and reduce chemical wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Brown
- Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA; Department of Materials Recovery and Recycling, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA.
| | - Ethan Struhs
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA
| | - Amin Mirkouei
- Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA; Department of Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Management, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA.
| | - Krishnan Raja
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Management, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA
| | - David Reed
- Department of Materials Recovery and Recycling, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA
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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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Alabssawy AN, Hashem AH. Bioremediation of hazardous heavy metals by marine microorganisms: a recent review. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:103. [PMID: 38358529 PMCID: PMC10869373 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03793-5] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) like Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Hg, among others, play a role in several environmental problems. The marine environment is polluted by several contaminants, such as HMs. A variety of physico-chemical methods usually available for sanitation HMs remediation suffer from either limitation. Bioremediation is a promising way of dealing with HMs pollution. Microbes have the ability with various potencies to resist HMs tension. The current review discusses the main sources and influences of HMs, the role of marine microorganisms in HMs bioremediation, as well as the microbial mechanisms for HMs detoxification and transformation. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the bioremediation technologies that are currently available for the removal of HMs ions from industrial and urban effluent by aquatic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and microalgae, particularly those that are isolated from marine areas. The primary goals are to outline various studies and offer helpful information about the most important aspects of the bioelimination techniques. The biotreatment practices have been primarily divided into three techniques based on this topic. They are biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioleaching, and biotransformation. This article gives the brief view on the research studies about bioremediation of HMs using marine microorganisms. The current review also deals with the critical issues and recent studies based on the HMs biodetoxification using aquatic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed N Alabssawy
- Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt.
| | - Amr H Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt.
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Lin R, Liu J, Shan S, Zhang Y, Yang Y. Significant differences in the degree of genomic DNA N6-methyladenine modifications in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans with two different culture substrates. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298204. [PMID: 38306373 PMCID: PMC10836689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) modification is widespread in organisms and plays an important functional role in the regulation of cellular processes. As a model organism in biohydrometallurgy, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans can obtain energy from the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and various reduced inorganic sulfides (RISCs) under acidic conditions. To determine the linkage between genomic DNA methylation and the switching between the two oxidative metabolic pathways in A. ferrooxidans, the 6mA landscape in the genome of A. ferrooxidans cultured under different conditions was evaluated by using 6mA-IP-seq. A total of 214 and 47 high-confidence peaks of 6mA were identified under the Fe2+ and RISCs oxidizing conditions, respectively (P<10-5), suggesting that genomic methylation was greater under Fe2+ oxidizing conditions. 6mA experienced a decline at the transcription start site (TSS) and occurs frequently in gene bodies under both oxidizing conditions. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that 7 KEGG pathways were mapped into and most of the differentially methylated genes were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic pathways. Fourteen genes were selected for studying the effect of differences in methylation on mRNA expression. Thirteen genes, excluding petA-1, demonstrated a decrease in mRNA expression as methylation levels increased. Overall, the 6mA methylation enrichment patterns are similar under two conditions but show differences in the enriched pathways. The phenomenon of upregulated gene methylation levels coupled with downregulated expression suggests a potential association between the regulation mechanisms of 6mA and the Fe2+ and RISCs oxidation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- RuTao Lin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - JingQi Liu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Si Shan
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of the Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Yang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Vo PHN, Danaee S, Hai HTN, Huy LN, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen HTM, Kuzhiumparambil U, Kim M, Nghiem LD, Ralph PJ. Biomining for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from mining waste: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168210. [PMID: 37924876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for advanced manufacturing (e.g., renewable energy, military equipment, electric vehicles); hence, the recovery of REEs from low-grade resources has become increasingly important to address their growing demand. Depending on specific mining sites, its geological conditions, and sociodemographic backgrounds, mining waste has been identified as a source of REEs in various concentrations and abundance. Yttrium, cerium, and neodymium are the most common REEs in mining waste streams (50 to 300 μg/L). Biomining has emerged as a viable option for REEs recovery due to its reduced environmental impact, along with reduced capital investment compared to traditional recovery methods. This paper aims to review (i) the characteristics of mining waste as a low-grade REEs resource, (ii) the key operating principles of biomining technologies for REEs recovery, (iii) the effects of operating conditions and matrix on REEs recovery, and (iv) the sustainability of REEs recovery through biomining technologies. Six types of biomining will be examined in this review: bioleaching, bioweathering, biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioprecipitation and bioflotation. Based on a SWOT analyses and techno-economic assessments (TEA), biomining technologies have been found to be effective and efficient in recovering REEs from low-grade sources. Through TEA, coal ash has been shown to return the highest profit amongst mining waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phong H N Vo
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Soroosh Danaee
- Biotechnology Department, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran 3353-5111, Iran
| | - Ho Truong Nam Hai
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Lai Nguyen Huy
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Tuan A H Nguyen
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hong T M Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mikael Kim
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Corbett MK, Gifford A, Fimognari N, Watkin ELJ. Analysis of element yield, bacterial community structure and the impact of carbon sources for bioleaching rare earth elements from high grade monazite. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104133. [PMID: 37683878 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth element (REE) recovery from waste streams, mine tailings or recyclable components using bioleaching is gaining traction due to the shortage and security of REE supply as well as the environmental problems that occur from processing and refining. Four heterotrophic microbial species with known phosphate solubilizing capabilities were evaluated for their ability to leach REE from a high-grade monazite when provided with either galactose, fructose or maltose. Supplying fructose resulted in the greatest amount of REE leached from the ore due to the largest amount of organic acid produced. Gluconic acid was the dominant organic acid identified produced by the cultures, followed by acetic acid. The monazite proved difficult to leach with the different carbon sources, with preferential release of Ce over La, Nd and Pr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K Corbett
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia.
| | - April Gifford
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia.
| | - Nick Fimognari
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth L J Watkin
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia; School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Australia.
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Saldaña M, Jeldres M, Galleguillos Madrid FM, Gallegos S, Salazar I, Robles P, Toro N. Bioleaching Modeling-A Review. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16103812. [PMID: 37241440 DOI: 10.3390/ma16103812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The leaching of minerals is one of the main unit operations in the metal dissolution process, and in turn it is a process that generates fewer environmental liabilities compared to pyrometallurgical processes. As an alternative to conventional leaching methods, the use of microorganisms in mineral treatment processes has become widespread in recent decades, due to advantages such as the non-production of emissions or pollution, energy savings, low process costs, products compatible with the environment, and increases in the benefit of low-grade mining deposits. The purpose of this work is to introduce the theoretical foundations associated with modeling the process of bioleaching, mainly the modeling of mineral recovery rates. The different models are collected from models based on conventional leaching dynamics modeling, based on the shrinking core model, where the oxidation process is controlled by diffusion, chemically, or by film diffusion until bioleaching models based on statistical analysis are presented, such as the surface response methodology or the application of machine learning algorithms. Although bioleaching modeling (independent of modeling techniques) of industrial (or large-scale mined) minerals is a fairly developed area, bioleaching modeling applied to rare earth elements is a field with great growth potential in the coming years, as in general bioleaching has the potential to be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining method than traditional mining methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Saldaña
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Arturo Prat University, Iquique 1110939, Chile
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
| | - Matías Jeldres
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
| | | | - Sandra Gallegos
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Arturo Prat University, Iquique 1110939, Chile
| | - Iván Salazar
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, Chile
| | - Pedro Robles
- Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Norman Toro
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Arturo Prat University, Iquique 1110939, Chile
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Zhou H, van Hullebusch ED. Microbial interaction and transformation of metals and metalloids. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022; 75:1074-1075. [PMID: 35971804 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, China
| | - Eric D van Hullebusch
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS, F-75005, Paris, France
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