Bioleaching of Metals from Waste/Wastewater
A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 1102
Special Issue Editors
Interests: applied and environmental microbiology; geomicrobiology; waste management; biogeochemistry; resource recycling
Interests: waste management; biotechnology; environmental microbiology; wastewater treatment; pollution abatement; ecotoxicology
Interests: applied and environmental microbiology; biogeochemistry; bioremediation; biofertilization; nature-based solutions; soil rehabilitation; environmental forensics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The incessant disposal of solid waste and wastewater into the immediate environment has been a global issue of concern, posing serious threats to ecosystems and public health. These waste materials, including electronic waste (e-waste), fly ash, slag, spent lithium-ion batteries and refinery catalysts, sewage sludge, acid mine drainage, etc., are heterogeneous in nature and consist of a variety of valuable metals in large quantities. The proper management of these waste materials is crucial to prevent environmental hazards and promote metal recovery. Therefore, bioleaching is a green and sustainable technology that requires the metabolic potential of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and microalgae) for the solubilization and mobilization of metals from waste materials. It is the method of choice nowadays due to its simplicity, effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and low cost in the presence of active bioagents. Research in this field is expected to promote the drive for the reuse of industrial solid waste and waste effluent and boost the market value and demand of metals for various applications in jewelry, electronics, computers, automotive, dentistry, etc. This Special Issue aims to present recent and ground-breaking advances in the areas of metal recovery from industrial solid waste and wastewater using microbial biotechnology.
Therefore, this Special Issue invites submissions of original scientific research relating to the bioextraction of metals from solid wastes and wastewater. It focuses on the following topics:
- Bioleaching of precious metals, base metals, and rare earth elements from industrial solid waste and wastewater, using pure or consortium microorganisms;
- Exploration of the metal leaching potential of extremophiles;
- Optimization strategies for large-scale bioleaching of metals using genetically engineered organisms;
- The roles of enzymes, mutagens, metal, and non-metal ion catalysts, surfactants, and biochar in enhancing metal recovery from solid waste and wastewater;
- Bioreactor designs and applications for waste valorization for enhanced metal recovery;
- Application of innovative and emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoTs) and machine learning for sustainable and efficient metal recovery;
- Techno-economic and environmental sustainability studies of metal biorecovery technologies.
Dr. Adegoke Isiaka Adetunji
Prof. Dr. Paul Johan Oberholster
Dr. Mariana Erasmus
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- bioleaching
- solid waste
- microorganisms
- valuable metals
- circular bioeconomy
- waste management
- wastewater
- resource recovery
- biohydrometallurgy
- recycling
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