New book: Biological Metal Recovery from Wastewaters

This book, edited by Sabrina Hedrich, of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany and Oliver Wiche, of Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Germany, reviews the latest research on innovative and sustainable biotechnologies for metal recovery from various process streams, emphasising the fundamentals and applications of biosystems. 

Divided into 7 chapters, it clarifies many topics including biological iron and aluminum recovery from wastewaters, precious metal recovery (Pt, Pd, Au, Ag), algal-based metal recovery, selenium and tellurium recovery, phytoextraction options, and arsenic removal by sulfate-reducing bacteria. 

Expert contributors explore microbial metabolisms such as iron oxidation, sulfate/sulfur reduction, and selenite reduction through the lens of environmental sustainability. The book contains various case studies and commercial applications of these biotechnologies. Particular attention is given to combinations of biological systems with electrochemistry to enhance metal recycling from complex and diluted streams.

The book is a valuable resource for researchers in the field of environmental biotechnology, and scholars of environmental science, chemical engineering and microbiology.  Waste management and resource recovery professionals will benefit from the insights provided. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable solutions for critical metal supply within a circular economy framework.