Donnan dialytic transport and biological removal of yttrium from multi-element solutions

• Coupled CEM transport/biological is a new Y(III) recovery approach. • Y(III) is efficiently transported through CEM and is not retained on the membrane. • Strain M. qingshengii J19 efficiently immobilizes Y from the receiver solution. Yttrium (Y), classified among the rare earth elements (REEs), plays an important role in modern technologies, contributing to the increase in mineral extraction and processing activities. Consequently, this trend leads to an elevated release of economically significant but potentially dangerous elements into the environment. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is recognized as a concern due to the presence of hazardous elements, however, it simultaneously serves as a valuable secondary source of critical elements. This study explores the recovery of Y(III) from multi-element solutions that simulate real AMD in terms of pH, the presence of various divalent cations, and sulfate. It investigates the recovery of Y(III) from multi-element solutions using a two-stage approach: cation exchange membrane (CEM) for Donnan dialytic Y(III) transport followed by biological treatment for Y recovery. The efficiency of Y(III) transport across the acid-resistant CEM, Fumasep FKS-PEP-130, reached 68.6 %, even in the presence of accompanying cations. The addition of strain J19, highly resistant to Y, led to approximately 89 % removal of Y(III) from the feed compartment. The proposed CEM transport/biological treatment concept offers the first efficient Y(III) recovery approach. This method will benefit future assays with real-field AMD, as it minimizes waste generation while effectively separating metals from sulfate, thereby reducing environmental impact.