Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical materials that power modern technologies such as renewable energy systems, electronics, batteries, and advanced catalysts. However, their extraction from primary ores is energy-intensive, environmentally damaging, and increasingly unsustainable due to rising global demand and limited reserves. Wastewater streams from industries such as mining, metallurgy, and electronics manufacturing represent an overlooked but valuable secondary source of rare earths.
Sustainable Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater Streams provides a comprehensive resource that explores the scientific principles, technological innovations, and sustainable practices for recovering REEs from wastewater. Covering conventional methods, biological and bio-inspired processes, and emerging nanotechnologies, it bridges the gap between environmental biotechnology and materials recovery. The purpose of this book is to present a unified, interdisciplinary perspective on how wastewater can serve as a sustainable resource for rare earth elements, aligning with circular economy principles. It equips readers with the tools to understand, evaluate, and implement sustainable REE recovery methods, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Essential for academic researchers, graduate students, industry professionals, and policymakers,
Sustainable Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater Streams serves as both a scientific reference and a practical guide for advancing circular economy practices and sustainable materials management.
- Comprehensive Coverage - Integrates conventional, biological, and emerging technologies for rare earth recovery, offering readers a one-stop reference
- Practical Case Studies and Applications - Demonstrates real-world examples of REE recovery from industrial and municipal wastewater, highlighting both successes and challenges
- Future-Oriented Insights - Provides techno-economic analyses, sustainability assessments, and policy frameworks to guide research, industrial adoption, and strategic decision-making