The accumulation of rare-earth yttrium ions by Penicillium sp. ZD28

To obtained fungal resources with excellent tolerance and accumulation capacity to rare earth yttrium ions (Y³⁺), rare earth ore samples were collected and used for microbial screening. A fungus hyper-resistant to Y³⁺ was obtained and the effects of the fungus in three physiological states (growth process, mycelial pellets with physiological activity and the fungus powder after being ground) on the Y³⁺ accumulation were investigated. The Y³⁺ resistant fungus was identified as Penicillium sp. ZD28, and its mycelium pellets (about 1 mm in diameter) showed poor ability to accumulate Y³⁺ with an adsorption capacity of less than 81 μmol/g. However, the fungus was able to remove 99% of Y³⁺ during the growth process, at an initial concentration of less than 600 μM. Bioaccumulation of Y was observed on the cell surface of the ZD28 strain by elemental mapping using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The adsorbent (the dry fungal powder) had a remarkable adsorption property for Y³⁺ that was greater than 455 μmol/g in conditions of 465 μM < [Y³⁺] < 6382 μM. Penicillium sp. ZD28 has major potential applications in the accumulation of yttrium group rare earth ions. This research has formed a theoretical foundation for the application of this biological method to extract rare earth ions in the mining and smelting of yttrium group rare earth elements.