Recent advances in microbial nanomaterials/nanoparticles synthesis and rare earth elements recovery from rare earth mine wastewater: A review

In recent years, the excessive mining of rare earth minerals has led to significant environmental challenges, including soil and water pollution, erosion, and threats to local ecosystems and communities. Addressing these issues within the framework of a circular economy is crucial for achieving resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. This review explores recent advances in the treatment, recycling, and reuse of rare earth mine wastewater. The review begins with a discussion of the formation and environmental hazards of rare earth mine wastewater, emphasizing its impact on water and soil quality. It then summarizes current technologies for recycling and reusing wastewater, focusing particularly on advances in adsorption methods. Secondly, a significant portion of the review is dedicated to the synthesis of nanomaterials/nanoparticles for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Various synthesis methods are examined, including physicochemical and biological approaches, highlighting their applications in the efficient recovery of rare earth elements from wastewater. Notably, recent developments in microbial nanomaterials/nanoparticle synthesis have opened new pathways for enhancing resource recovery efficiency. Finally, the review discusses recent achievements and challenges in integrating microbial nanomaterials/nanoparticle synthesis with rare earth mine wastewater treatment, emphasizing the potential for achieving comprehensive resource recycling and reusing. By presenting these insights, this review aims to inspire future researchdirections and innovations in the field of rare earth mine wastewater management.