Recovering rare earth elements via immobilized red algae from ammonium-rich wastewater

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100204
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03T03:45:22Z
• Authors: Yabo Sun; Tao Lu; Yali Pan; Menghan Shi; Dan Ding; Zhiwen Ma; Jiuyi Liu; Yupeng Yuan; Ling Fei; Yingqiang Sun
• Keywords: Deammonification; Biotreatment; 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology; Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; 6. Clean water; Galdieria sulphuraria; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Rare earth elements; TD1-1066; Immobilized algae; Original Research

Biotreatment of acidic rare earth mining wastewater via acidophilic living organisms is a promising approach owing to their high tolerance concentrations elements (REEs); however, simultaneous removal both REEs and ammonium generally hindered since most are positively charged. Accordingly, immobilization Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria) by calcium alginate improve its affinity charged has been used for bioremoval ammonium. The results indicate that 97.19%, 96.19%, 98.87% La, Y, Sm, respectively, removed G. beads (GS-BDs). adsorption (BDs) GS-BDs well fitted pseudo first-order (PFO) second-order (PSO) kinetic models, implying involves physical caused functional groups such as -COO- -OH chemical based on ion exchange Ca2+ with REEs. Notably, exhibit Sm maximum efficiencies 97.9%, 96.6%, 99.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency higher than free cells at an initial concentration 100 mg L-1, while decreases when 150 L-1. Last, small size favors because lower mass transfer resistance. This study achieves from drainage, providing potential strategy biotreatment REE tailing wastewater.