Vicky S. Coker

Bio: Vicky S. Coker is an academic researcher from University of Manchester. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 21 citations.

Today’s Wastes, Tomorrow’s Materials for Environmental Protection

Abstract: Over the past 30 years the literature has burgeoned with bioremediation approaches to heavy metal removal from wastes. The price of base and precious metals has dramatically increased. With the resurgence of nuclear energy uranium has become a strategic resource. Other ‘non-carbon energy’ technologies are driven by the need to reduce CO2 emissions. The ‘New Biohydrometallurgy’ we describe unites these drivers by the concept of conversion of wastes into new materials for environmental applications. The new materials, fashioned, bottom-up, into nanomaterials under biocontrol, can be termed ‘Functional Bionanomaterials’. This new discipline, encompassing waste treatment along with nanocatalysis or other applications, can be summarized as ‘Environmental Bionanotechnology’. Several case histories illustrate the scope and potential of this concept.

Algae as crucial organisms in advancing nanotechnology: a systematic review

Abstract: As nanotechnology is expanding to several commercial fields, there is a need of ecofriendly and energy-efficient methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Algae have been discovered to reduce metal ions and subsequently for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Since algae-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles is an ecofriendly, economical, high-yielding, expeditious and energy-efficient method, a large number of studies have been published in the last few years. This review article therefore is focused on recent progress on the utilization of algae of various classes, viz., Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae, etc. for the synthesis of nanoparticles, their characterization and the possible mechanisms involved.

Production, recovery and reuse of biogenic elemental selenium

Abstract: Selenium (Se) has caused several ecological disasters due to its toxicity and bioaccumulation along trophic networks. Industrial activities that process fossil fuels and mineral ores, such as electricity generation, metal extraction and oil refining, produce wastewaters containing selenium. Currently, these wastewaters are insufficiently treated before being discharged into the environment. Several environmental biotechnological processes are used to convert soluble selenium oxyanions, selenite and selenate, to solid elemental selenium, Se(0), because elemental selenium is less toxic. Applying a post-treatment solid–liquid separation step to these biological processes removes and separates Se(0) from the treated effluent. Here, we review the sources of selenium-rich waste streams, and we propose several techniques for the removal and reuse of selenium. The major points are as follows: (1) Biogenic Se(0) has colloidal properties that can be offset by the addition of coagulants, either by dissolving multivalent salts or by electrogenerating the coagulant in situ; (2) recovered biogenic Se(0) is a secondary raw material and (3) biogenic Se(0) can be used for niche applications such as fertilizers and adsorbent for metals. The biological treatment of industrial wastewater containing selenium can be linked with resource recovery as a sound and economic approach to alleviate the demand for this critical element.