Fungal biotechnology for urban mining of metals from waste printed circuit boards: A review. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trivedi, Amber; Vishwakarma, Anusha; Saawarn, Bhavini; Mahanty, Byomkesh; Hait, Subrata
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 323(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: WPCBs -- Fungal bioleaching -- Biometallurgy -- Metal recycling -- Circular economy; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Rapid surge in electronic waste (e-waste) and its unscientific handling has an adverse impact on humans and the environment. Waste printed circuit board (WPCB), an integrated component of e-waste, has a high metallic content that includes both toxic and precious metals. Therefore, metal recovery is essential not just to avoid environmental degradation but also for economic growth. The current literature analysis focuses on one such eco-friendly approach, known as fungal biotechnology, for extracting metals from WPCBs. Among diverse bioleaching agents, fungi have shown promising metal extraction efficiency (Al: 65–96%; Co: 45–90%; Cu: 34–100%; Ni: 8–95%; Mn: 70–95%; Pb: 27–95%; Zn: 54–99%) and the ability to work in a wide pH range. However, in terms of metal recovery from WPCBs, fungal bioleaching has been less explored. This review, thus, assesses the fungal biotechnology for metal extraction from WPCBs and discusses the associated mechanism and kinetics involved. Different process parameters affecting the fungal bioleaching have also been discussed briefly. The review highlights that, while this process has enough potential, some associated drawbacks hinder its practical applicability on an industrial scale. Lastly, some suggestions for scaling up and reducing the cost of the process have been made, which need to be addressed. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Fungal bioleaching for urban mining of metals from WPCBs comprehensively reviewed. Fungal biotechnology has emerged as a green alternative for WPCB recycling. Process efficacy for base and precious metal extraction varies in the range of 8–100%. Diffusion and chemical reaction govern the kinetics of fungal bioleaching of metals. Reactor set-up with agro-industrial wastes as carbon source can scale-up the process.