"Mining" For Metals Using Nature

UK (phys.org) - University of York scientists will lead an international team to develop methods of extracting platinum group metals (PGM) from plants.  Researchers in the University’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) with support from Yale University, the University of British Columbia, and Massey University in New Zealand will investigate phyto-mining.  Phyto-mining involves growing plants on mine waste materials to soak up PGM into their cellular structure. Initial studies show these phyto-mined PGM plant cells can be turned into materials for a variety of industrial applications, most notably catalytic converters for vehicle emissions control.

Phyto-mining platinum from hyperaccumulator plant Iberis.

According to the University of York's Professor James Clark, “We are looking at ways of turning these residual metals into their catalytically active form using the plants to extract them from the mine waste. The plant is heated in a controlled way with the result that the metal is embedded in a nano-form in the carbonised plant. The trick is to control the decomposition of the plant in a way which keeps the metal in its nano-particulate or catalytically active form. ”
Researchers will investigate about 400 species of plants known as hyperaccumulators, which take larger-than-normal amounts of toxins, including heavy metals from the soil. Plants such as willow, corn and mustard can accumulate relatively large amounts of these metals.
CNAP Professor Neil Bruce stated, “The ability of plants to extract PGMs from soil and redeposit the metal as nano-particles in cells is remarkable. This project will allow us to investigate the mechanisms behind this process and provide a green method for extracting metals from mine tailings that are currently uneconomical to recover.” Source: 'Mining' for metals using Nature's machines  (Reliability: High)

Comment:  The word phyto-mining was coined in 1977, and was implemented as an environment solution for contaminated sites.  This research into phyto-mining as a method of extracting strategic minerals has exciting possibilities. Any method by which strategic and rare earth minerals can be reused and recycled has the potential to provide both ecologic and economic benefits. Additionally,  the ability to re-use these phyto-mined byproducts offers alternative sources for PGM.

Professor Neil Bruce, of CNAP, added: "The ability of plants to extract PGMs from soil and redeposit the metal as nanoparticles in cells is remarkable. This project will allow us to investigate the mechanisms behind this process and provide a green method for extracting metals from mine tailings that are currently uneconomical to recover."

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-metals-nature-machines.html#jCp

"We are looking at ways of turning these residual metals into their catalytically active form using the plants to extract them from the mine waste. The plant is heated in a controlled way with the result that the metal is embedded in a nano-form in the carbonised plant. "The trick is to control the decomposition of the plant in a way which keeps the metal in its nano-particulate or catalytically active form. Catalysis is being used more and more in industrial processes and particularly for emission control because of the demand for cleaners cars, so 'phyto-mining' could provide a sustainable supply of catalytically active metals."

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-metals-nature-machines.html#jCp

"We are looking at ways of turning these residual metals into their catalytically active form using the plants to extract them from the mine waste. The plant is heated in a controlled way with the result that the metal is embedded in a nano-form in the carbonised plant. "The trick is to control the decomposition of the plant in a way which keeps the metal in its nano-particulate or catalytically active form. Catalysis is being used more and more in industrial processes and particularly for emission control because of the demand for cleaners cars, so 'phyto-mining' could provide a sustainable supply of catalytically active metals."

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-metals-nature-machines.html#jCp

with support from Yale University, the University of British Columbia and Massey University in New Zealand.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-metals-nature-machines.html#jCp

with support from Yale University, the University of British Columbia and Massey University in New Zealand.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-metals-nature-machines.html#jCp