Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Microbes Assisted Recovery of Rare Earth Elements (REE) From Laterite Badlands. Coal and Lignite Mines Overburden |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Palaeoclimate |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Anupam sharma, Birbal sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | anupam110367@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | The demand for Rare-earth elements (REEs) is growing exponentially due to their wide applications in various fields, including information technology, health, aviation, vehicular transport, entertainment, clean energy, and defense technologies. China currently dominates the REE industry with 85% of global export. To break China's monopoly and support initiatives like "Make in India" and "Clean and Green Energy," India must explore alternative sources of REEs and recover them in an environmentally friendly manner using microbial interventions. REEs are associated with several ore or accessory minerals and have a higher concentration in the Earth's crust than other commonly exploited elements. The proposed project proposes a green strategy for REE extraction by identifying alternative natural sources, such as lateritic soil in India and overburdened sand-shale strata in coal mine areas. These deposits have higher concentrations of REEs compared to the average upper continental crust composition, making them potential sources for REE recovery. Microbes can adhere REEs to their cell surface through electrostatic interactions, covalent bonding, and van der Waals forces. The project aims to provide a green solution for REE extraction and establish a protocol for REE recovery. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Manoj M C, Birbal sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Yusuf Akhter, Birbal sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Digvijay Verma, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
Total Budget (INR): | 40,35,780 |
Organizations involved