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Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT: Ecological engineering of soil formation in tailings is an emerging technology toward sustainable rehabilitation of iron (Fe) ore tailings landscapes worldwide, which requires the formation of well-organized and stable soil aggregates in finely textured tailings. Here, we demonstrate an approach using microbial and rhizosphere processes to progressively drive aggregate formation and development in Fe ore tailings. The aggregates were initially formed through the agglomeration of mineral particles by organic cements derived from microbial decomposition of exogenous organic matter. The aggregate stability was consolidated by colloidal nanosized Fe(III)-Si minerals formed during Fe-bearing primary mineral weathering driven by rhizosphere biogeochemical processes of pioneer plants. From these findings, we proposed a conceptual model for progressive aggregate structure development in the tailings with Fe(III)-Si rich cements as core nuclei. This renewable resource dependent eco-engineering approach opens a sustainable pathway to achieve resilient tailings rehabilitation without resorting to excavating natural soil resources.

SUBMITTER: Wu S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10359879 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation.

Wu Songlin S Liu Yunjia Y Southam Gordon G Nguyen Tuan A H TAH Konhauser Kurt O KO You Fang F Bougoure Jeremy J JJ Paterson David D Chan Ting-Shan TS Lu Ying-Rui YR Haw Shu-Chih SC Yi Qing Q Li Zhen Z Robertson Lachlan M LM Hall Merinda M Saha Narottam N Ok Yong Sik YS Huang Longbin L

iScience 20230624 7

Ecological engineering of soil formation in tailings is an emerging technology toward sustainable rehabilitation of iron (Fe) ore tailings landscapes worldwide, which requires the formation of well-organized and stable soil aggregates in finely textured tailings. Here, we demonstrate an approach using microbial and rhizosphere processes to progressively drive aggregate formation and development in Fe ore tailings. The aggregates were initially formed through the agglomeration of mineral particle ...[more]

PMID: 37485366

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Project description:In this study, the Fe-containing tailings (Fe-TO) ore was reutilized and enriched with FeCl3 as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Fenton process to degrade the organic dyes from aqueous solution. The determinants of the heterogeneous catalytic Fenton system which included iron modification ratio, solution pH, catalyst dosage, H2O2 dosage and initial concentration of organic dyes were systematically investigated. The modification ratio of 15% (w/w of iron), pH of 3, MFe-TO15 dosage of 0.5 g L-1 and H2O2 dosage of 840 mg L-1 were chosen as the best operational conditions for Fenton oxidation of organic dyes. The decolorization efficiency of both MB and RhB by MFe-TO15/H2O2 was higher than that of Fe-TO/H2O2 by about two times. The kinetic study showed the degradation of organic dyes well fitted the pseudo-first-order kinetic model with apparent constant rate values (K d) following the same sequence as the degradation efficiency of organic dyes. The degradation mechanism of dyes could be attributed to adsorption due to the good-development in textural properties of the iron modified catalyst (MFe-TO) with an increase in BET surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of, respectively, 2, 5 and 5 times and leaching iron through homogeneous Fenton reaction. However, the oxidation process occurring on the MFe-TO15's surface by heterogeneous Fenton reaction which enhanced decomposition of H2O2 for continuous generation of hydroxyl radicals was the main mechanism. The key role of *OH radical in oxidation of organic dyes was further ascertained by the remarkable drop in the decolorization of both organic dyes when the various radical-scavengers, including tert-butanol and chloride were supplemented into Fenton systems. A good stability of the catalyst was obtained through leaching test with low leaching iron ratio. The applied modified catalyst remained stable through three consecutive runs. From these findings, it can be concluded that the modified material can be applied as a feasible, inexpensive and highly effective catalyst for removal of persistent organic compounds from wastewater.

Project description:Mines and caves are unusual ecosystems containing unique fungi and are greatly understudied compared to other environments. The Soudan Mine in Tower, MN, an iron ore mine that closed in 1963 after operating for 80 years, was sampled to explore fungal diversity and to investigate taxa that tolerate heavy metals for potential bioprocessing technologies or as sources of bioactive molecules for drug discovery and possible biocontrol for white-nose syndrome (WNS) of bats. The mine is 714 m deep, has 18 levels and contains large quantities of wooden timbers, in contrast to many other oligotrophic subterranean environments. Fungi were cultured from samples and the ITS region was sequenced for identification and phylogenetic analysis. Results show Ascomycota are the dominant fungi followed by Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. Out of 164 identified taxa, 108 belong to the Ascomycota and 26 and 31 to Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota, respectively. There are also 46 taxa that do not match (<97% BLAST GenBank identity) sequenced fungal species. Examples of the most commonly isolated Ascomycota include Scytalidium sp., Mariannaea comptospora, Hypocrea pachybasidioides, Oidiodendron griseum and Pochonia bulbillosa; Basidiomycota include Postia sp., Sistotrema brinkmannii, Calocera sp., Amylocorticiellum sp.; Mucoromycota include Mortierella parvispora, M. gamsii, M. hyaline, M. basiparvispora and Mortierella sp. Unusual growth forms were also found including large quantities of black rhizomorphs of Armillaria sinapina and white mycelial cords of Postia sp. mycelium, as well as Pseudogymnoascus species growing over large areas of mine walls and ceiling. The mine environment is a relatively extreme environment for fungi, with the presence of high levels of heavy metals, complete darkness and poor nutrient availability. Several genera are similar to those isolated in other extreme environments but phylogenetic analyses show differences in species between these environments. Results indicate this subterranean environment hosts a wide diversity of fungi, many of them not found in above ground environments.

Dataset Information

Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation.

Publications

Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation.

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