BIOeMIND
Novel bioelectrochemical systems for integrated energy harvesting and bioremediation of acid mine drainage.
Project team: Ulrika Rova (project leader), Suman Bajracharya, Paul Christakopoulos, Annie Modestra Jampala, Leonidas Matsakas
Partners: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, LTU; Boliden Mineral AB
Duration: 2022-2024
Funded by Formas
Stringent environmental regulations have underscored acid mine drainage (AMD), an unavoidable by-product of mining and mineral industry, as a global concern. AMD arises from the oxidation of sulfide minerals within mines, exhibiting high acidity, sulfate concentrations, and elevated levels of elements such as Fe, As, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. If untreated, AMD poses significant threats to both groundwater and surface water, precipitating ecosystem degradation and potential health risks for humans. BIOeMIND endeavors to pioneer a sustainable AMD treatment approach by integrating a bioelectrochemical cell (harnessing biological electricity-driven autotrophic sulfate-reduction to produce sulfide), with an electrochemical cell that includes abiotic sulfide oxidation to elemental sulfur and electricity generation. This system will provide a novel process that mitigates metal toxicity and enables the biorecovery of select metals like Zn, Cu, As, and Cd in the form of nanoparticle, such as sulfides, thereby potentially augmenting revenue streams. Designed for energy autonomy, the concept is especially designed for abandoned and remote mine sites, where access to the power grid is limited.
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