| Abstract Scope |
Coal fly ash and red mud are industrial wastes containing trace amounts of critical metals, including rare earth elements (REEs). This study assesses the feasibility of utilizing an environmentally benign phytoextraction approach to extract valuable metals from these waste materials. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a known hyperaccumulator for REEs, was cultivated in engineered substrates containing varying concentrations of coal fly ash, i.e. 20%, 30% and 40% in a controlled greenhouse environment. Harvested biomass is being analyzed for its metal contents. We are harvesting Alfalfa in three different periods, i.e., two, four, and six months, to assess the plant growth rate and the effect of metal uptake on alfalfa growth rates. We anticipate completing our study within the next four months and will be ready to present the findings at the TMS Annual Meeting in 2026. |