CMI Project 4.3.6 Ecosystem impacts of critical material recovery and processing

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person head and shoulders: CMI intern at Idaho National Laboratory Alex Flynn, undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University

Research Highlight

Intern shows REE impacts on bacteria differ for different species

person head and shoulders, with trees in background: Rumeysa Gurler, taking the opportunity to explore the local region.

Research Highlight

Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Intern studies critical materials and environmental impacts

Research Highlight

Evaluating new REE extractants for better environmental sustainability

side-by-side images of bacteria, before and after adding a toxin

Research Highlight

Evaluating ecotoxicity of chemicals used in the rare-earth separations

The goal of this research is to evaluate newly developed critical material recovery technologies to avoid producing the next contaminant of emerging concern. While collaborating with mining and materials researchers, this project will use a series of ecological toxicity tests to assess potential environmental impacts of new critical material recovery or recycling technologies. The knowledge can be used to identify lower impact critical material processing techniques and/or waste remediation strategies. This project benefits society by providing a basis for understanding how critical material recovery affects the environment and how remediation strategies can aid in the detoxification of processing waste.