Space station biomining experiment demonstrates rare earth element extraction in microgravity and Mars gravity

Author:

Cockell Charles S.ORCID,Santomartino RosaORCID,Finster KaiORCID,Waajen Annemiek C.ORCID,Eades Lorna J.,Moeller Ralf,Rettberg PetraORCID,Fuchs Felix M.,Van Houdt RobORCID,Leys NatalieORCID,Coninx Ilse,Hatton Jason,Parmitano Luca,Krause Jutta,Koehler Andrea,Caplin Nicol,Zuijderduijn Lobke,Mariani Alessandro,Pellari Stefano S.,Carubia Fabrizio,Luciani Giacomo,Balsamo Michele,Zolesi Valfredo,Nicholson Natasha,Loudon Claire-Marie,Doswald-Winkler Jeannine,Herová Magdalena,Rattenbacher Bernd,Wadsworth Jennifer,Craig Everroad R.,Demets René

Abstract

Abstract Microorganisms are employed to mine economically important elements from rocks, including the rare earth elements (REEs), used in electronic industries and alloy production. We carried out a mining experiment on the International Space Station to test hypotheses on the bioleaching of REEs from basaltic rock in microgravity and simulated Mars and Earth gravities using three microorganisms and a purposely designed biomining reactor. Sphingomonas desiccabilis enhanced mean leached concentrations of REEs compared to non-biological controls in all gravity conditions. No significant difference in final yields was observed between gravity conditions, showing the efficacy of the process under different gravity regimens. Bacillus subtilis exhibited a reduction in bioleaching efficacy and Cupriavidus metallidurans showed no difference compared to non-biological controls, showing the microbial specificity of the process, as on Earth. These data demonstrate the potential for space biomining and the principles of a reactor to advance human industry and mining beyond Earth.

Funder

RCUK | Science and Technology Facilities Council

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

General Physics and Astronomy,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Chemistry

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