Can the recycling of europium from contaminated waters be achieved through living macroalgae? Study on accumulation and toxicological impacts under realistic concentrations

Abstract

Europium (Eu) strategic importance for the manufacturing industry, high economic value and high supply risk, categorizes it as critical raw material. Due to anthropogenic contamination, Eu levels in ecosystems have been growing, which opens opportunities for innovation: its recovery and recycling from contaminated water as element source - circular economy. In this pioneering study, six widely available living marine macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria sp., Osmundea pinnatifida, Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus spiralis) were characterized (water content and specific surface area) and evaluated in the pre-concentration and recovery of Eu from contaminated seawater, under different relevant contamination scenarios (10, 152 and 500 μg L^-1). U. lactuca and Gracilaria sp. (3 g L^-1, fresh weight) proved to be the most effective in removing Eu, reaching up to 85% in 72 h, while the highest Eu enrichment was observed in U. intestinalis biomass, up to 827 μg g^-1 (bioconcentration factor of 1800), which is higher than Eu levels in common apatite ores. The effect of Eu exposure on macroalgae growth rate and organism biochemical performance (LPO, SOD, GPx and GSTs) was also evaluated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Although no cellular damage was recorded, findings revealed toxicity and defence mechanisms activation, emphasizing the need of further studies on the potential risks associated with the presence of this emerging contaminant in aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords: Bioconcentration factors; Biomarkers; Growth rate; Rare earth elements; Wastewater.