Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
05:52
Resource Recycling of Red Soil to Synthesize Fe2O3/FAU-type Zeolite Composite Material for Heavy Metal Removal
Published on: June 2, 2022
3.5K
Bioleaching of rare earth elements from monazite sand
Vanessa L Brisson1, Wei-Qin Zhuang1,2, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen3,4
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720-1710.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|September 3, 2015
Summary
Three fungi, including Aspergillus niger, can bioleach rare earth elements from monazite, a phosphate mineral. These fungi selectively extract rare earths over thorium, with optimized media enhancing performance.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Mineral Processing
Background:
- Monazite, a rare earth phosphate mineral, contains valuable rare earth elements (REEs) and radioactive thorium.
- Traditional methods for REE extraction can be environmentally impactful.
- Microbial bioleaching offers a potentially sustainable alternative for REE recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capability of fungal strains for bioleaching REEs from monazite.
- To assess the selectivity of bioleaching for REEs over thorium.
- To identify factors influencing bioleaching efficiency and the role of microbial metabolites.
Main Methods:
- Screening of three fungal strains (Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015, Aspergillus terreus ML3-1, Paecilomyces spp. WE3-F) for bioleaching monazite.
- Optimization of growth media composition to enhance REE release.
- Analysis of cell-free spent medium and identified organic acids (acetic, citric, gluconic, itaconic, oxalic, succinic) for leaching potential.
- Comparison of bioleaching, spent medium leaching, and abiotic acid leaching.
Main Results:
- All three fungal strains demonstrated the ability to bioleach REEs from monazite, using it as a phosphate source.
- Bioleaching preferentially solubilized REEs over thorium, leaving thorium in the solid residue.
- Optimized growth media significantly improved REE release.
- Cell-free spent medium from A. terreus ML3-1 and Paecilomyces spp. WE3-F showed 1.7-3.8 times higher REE concentrations than comparable HCl solutions.
- Abiotic leaching with identified organic acids was less effective than bioleaching or spent medium leaching.
Conclusions:
- Fungal bioleaching is a viable method for recovering REEs from monazite.
- The fungi exhibit selectivity for REEs over thorium during the bioleaching process.
- Exogenous microbial metabolites, beyond identified organic acids, play a crucial role in enhancing REE leaching efficiency.
More Related Videos
11:14Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
13.0K
09:23Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
Published on: June 21, 2015
10.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Microbial Leaching
83
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
83
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
62
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella,...
62
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
61
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten...
61
00:46Bioremediation
23.0K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
23.0K
00:56Extraction: Advanced Methods
1.3K
Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is...
1.3K
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
66
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
66