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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2026-06-11 23:58 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2026 Meeting
Section: Physics and Technology of Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources
Title:
Green Mining for Clean Energy: Phytoremediation and Phytomining of Critical Raw Materials
Authors:
Bogdan MITREA (1), Tom IACOB (1), Cornelia DIAC (1), Cornelia NICHITA (1,2), Adriana BĂLAN (1), Sermon CAESAR (1)
*
Affiliation:
1) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, ICUB, CTT 3Nano-SAE Research Center, MG-38, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125, Magurele, Romania
2) National Institute for Chemical – Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 112 Vitan Avenue, 031299, Bucharest, Romania
E-mail
bogdan.mitrea@3nanosae.org
Keywords:
phytoremediation; phytomining; critical raw materials
Abstract:
The transition towards renewable energy technologies depends on secure supplies of critical raw materials, including nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium and rare earth elements, which are essential for batteries, permanent magnets and advanced electronic components [1]. This review examines phytoremediation and phytomining as low-energy, plant-assisted strategies for removing and potentially recovering such elements from contaminated soils and waters [2,3]. The central mechanisms are governed by physicochemical and electrochemical parameters, including pH, redox potential, ionic strength, metal speciation, ligand complexation and electrochemical gradients across root-cell membranes [4]. In soils, root exudates such as organic acids and phenolic compounds can modify metal solubility through proton-promoted dissolution and complex formation, thereby influencing uptake and translocation [2,4]. Hyperaccumulator species, including Noccaea caerulescens and Pteris vittata, illustrate how selective transporters, xylem loading and vacuolar sequestration enable the accumulation of metal ions and metalloids while limiting cellular toxicity [4]. In aquatic systems, macrophytes such as Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipes remove contaminants through root adsorption, ion exchange, surface complexation and bioaccumulation, with efficiency controlled by surface charge, ionic strength and cation competition [5]. Redox-active elements such as arsenic and chromium are especially relevant from an electrochemical perspective, as their mobility and toxicity depend strongly on oxidation state and local redox conditions [4,5]. Finally, harvested biomass may act as a bio-ore, with downstream recovery enhanced by electrochemical separation methods such as electrodialysis, electrodeposition or electrosorption [3,6,7]. This review positions plant-based remediation as an interface between environmental clean-up, circular resource recovery and sustainable energy infrastructure.
References:
[1] International Energy Agency. (2025). Critical Minerals. IEA.
[2] Ali, H., Khan, E., & Sajad, M. A. (2013). Phytoremediation of heavy metals—concepts and applications. Chemosphere, 91(7), 869–881.
[3] Dinh, T., Dobo, Z., & Kovacs, H. (2022). Phytomining of rare earth elements – A review. Chemosphere, 297, 134259.
[4] Clemens, S., & Ma, J. F. (2016). Toxic heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in crop plants and foods. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 67, 489–512.
[5] Rezania, S., Taib, S. M., Md Din, M. F., Dahalan, F. A., & Kamyab, H. (2016). Comprehensive review on phytotechnology: heavy metals removal by diverse aquatic plant species from wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 318, 587–599.
[6] Arana Juve, J.-M., Christensen, F. M. S., Wang, Y., & Wei, Z. (2022). Electrodialysis for metal removal and recovery: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 435, 134857.
[7] Jin, W., Zhang, Y., Huang, J., & colleagues. (2020). Sustainable electrochemical extraction of metal resources from waste streams. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
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