Project Info
Impact of Lanthanides on Wastewater Treatment
Junko Munakata Marr | junko@mines.edu
Rare earth elements (REE) are increasingly used in modern technology, but the impacts of their release into the environment are not well studied. This particular project is investigating the impacts that REE may have on microbial communities that are the heart of wastewater treatment. REE have been observed in wastewater treatment systems, but whether they are harmful or beneficial to the microbes upon which the treatment relies is unknown.
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Enthusiasm to learn about wastewater microbiology, reactor operation, and chemical and microbial analysis.
Time Commitment
20 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
Lots of hands-on experience running reactors, collecting and analyzing samples for conventional wastewater quality, insight into microbial community analysis, and appreciation of the research process.
Mentoring Plan
We meet regularly–ideally during project meetings when the student can attend, but also “on call” as needed.