CMI Project 4.2.11: Biogeochemical impacts of wastes from critical materials recovery Research Highlights

Yttrium exposure impacts bacterial gene expression

CMI researchers from Colorado School of Mines and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight.

scatter plot Changes to N. europaea gene expression after 72 hours of exposure to 50 ppm Y. Each point represents a single gene, with negative Y axis values indicating genes down-regulated relative to the no REE control, and positive Y axis values indicating up-regulation relative to the control.

Graduate student externship at national laboratory

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines conducted the research for this highlight

image of Kayla Cunningham, Colorado School of Mines

Rare earth element impacts on microbial nitrogen cycling

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines conducted the research for this highlight

diagram with text biological treatment of REE impacted wastewater

Graduate student training and success

CMI researchers at Colorado School of Mines and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Mines graduate research in biogeochemistry

Olivia Salmon earned master of science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Mines, December 2020. Thesis: “Impacts of Rare Earth Elements on Biological Wastewater Treatment Processes”

Continuous bioreactors inoculated with sludge from Denver’s Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.

Evaluating toxicity of new extractants

CMI researchers evaluate toxicity of new extractants

Identifying REE impacts on wastewater microorganisms

CMI is identifying REE impacts on wastewater microorganisms