Advance QLD Research Fellowship
Overview
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Technology and Engineering (Beijing Normal University), Master in ecology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), PhD in Environmental Microbiology and Engineering (The University of Queensland).
I am currently an Advanced Queensland research fellow in the global leading research group of Ecological Engineering of Mine Wastes, in the Sustainable Mineral Institute (SMI). My research interest is to investigate the biogenic factors (e.g., extremophiles, bacteria, fungi) in mineral transformation for sustainable mineral waste management. My research strength lies in my multidisciplinary work and research experience in the field of mineralogy, environmental science and microbiology, ecology and plant science. My expertises include 1) online controlled bioreactor metabolisms; 2) strain isolation and culture; 3) advanced microspectroscopy; 4) "Omic" based genome, protein molecular technology; 5) large dataset manipulation and data mining. Application of these multidisciplinary skillsets and knowledge would give new insights into the fundamental processes within geo-microbial ecology and the geo-rhizosphere biology of mining wastes, and upon which I could develop novel biotechnology and methodology to prime sustainable mining wastes management and bioproducts.
I have demonstrated a strong track record of collaborating with national and international researchers. My collaborations have also extended with industrial partners to deliver innovative technologies and improve economic and ecological sustainability of resource industries in Australia and overseas.
Research Interests
- N fixing processes in alkaline mining waste
- Haloalkaliphic bacteria driven anaerobic fermentation and aerobic oxidization processes
- Haloalkaliphic bacteria driven alkaline mineral dissolution and precipitation
- Structure and metabolic adapation mechanisms of haloalkaliphilic bacteria
Research Impacts
I have 30 publications during my career, 95% of my papers featuring in the highest impact journals (Q1) of my research field including environment and microbiology. To date, these papers have been cited over 468 times and have an H-index of 11. Out of my publications, 82.4% are in the top 10% journals (Elsevier's SciVal). My first/co-first author publications feature in Environmental Science and Technology (IF 11.4), Science of the Total Environment (IF 8.0).
In addition to academic excellence, my research brings practical benefits to improve sustainability of mining industry. I have established links with key industry partner organization and government, including Rio Tinto, Queensland Alumina Limited, Energy Resource Australia and Queensland Government. I am the main contributor of a novel, sustainable and cost-effective biotechnology (patent ID: WO2022099360) to treat extreme saline and alkaline bauxite residues for technosol development and rehabilitation. The findings have been translated into field-feasible ecological engineering technology in partnership with industry partners. My work also features on Nature news (https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-021-00429-4).
Publications
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Journal Article: Natural nodulation and nitrogen fixation of Acacia Auriculiformis grown in technosol eco-engineered from Fe ore tailings
Li, Zhen, Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, You, Fang, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2023). Natural nodulation and nitrogen fixation of Acacia Auriculiformis grown in technosol eco-engineered from Fe ore tailings. Plant and Soil. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-06342-7
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Journal Article: Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation
Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Southam, Gordon, Nguyen, Tuan A.H., Konhauser, Kurt O., You, Fang, Bougoure, Jeremy J., Paterson, David, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui, Haw, Shu-Chih, Yi, Qing, Li, Zhen, Robertson, Lachlan M., Hall, Merinda, Saha, Narottam, Ok, Yong Sik and Huang, Longbin (2023). Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation. iScience, 26 (7) 107102, 1-26. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107102
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Ma, Yuanying, You, Fang, Parry, David, Urban, Anja and Huang, Longbin (2023). Adaptive growth and acidogenic fermentation performance of haloalkaliphilic bacterial communities enriched from biofilms colonising strongly alkaline and saline bauxite residue. Science of the Total Environment, 856 159131, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159131
Grants
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(2023–2027) Technological Resources Pty Limited
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(2021–2022) UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
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Developing marine bacteria biotechnology for red mud rehabilitation and rare-earth recovery
(2020–2023) Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
Supervision
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Nitrogen-fixing microbe functions in supplying N for sustaining plant productivity in bauxite residue technosol
Doctor Philosophy
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Carbohydrate metabolism by haloalkaliphilic and organotrophic microbes in seawater neutralized bauxite residue
Doctor Philosophy
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Leguminous nitrogen fixation and N-cycling in eco-engineered bauxite residues
Master Philosophy
Available Projects
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Multiphase bioactivation driven resource recovery in alkaline mining waste
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Adaptation mechanisms and N-fixing functional capacity of free-living and rhizobium in alkaline mining waste
Publications
Book Chapter
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Rehabilitation of biological characteristics in mine tailings
Huang, Longbin and You, Fang (2018). Rehabilitation of biological characteristics in mine tailings. Spoil to soil: mine site rehabilitation and revegetation. (pp. 75-94) edited by N.S. Bolan, M.B. Kirkham and Y.S. Ok. Boca Raton, FL United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781351247337-5
Journal Article
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Li, Zhen, Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, You, Fang, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2023). Natural nodulation and nitrogen fixation of Acacia Auriculiformis grown in technosol eco-engineered from Fe ore tailings. Plant and Soil. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-06342-7
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Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation
Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Southam, Gordon, Nguyen, Tuan A.H., Konhauser, Kurt O., You, Fang, Bougoure, Jeremy J., Paterson, David, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui, Haw, Shu-Chih, Yi, Qing, Li, Zhen, Robertson, Lachlan M., Hall, Merinda, Saha, Narottam, Ok, Yong Sik and Huang, Longbin (2023). Ecological engineering of iron ore tailings into useable soils for sustainable rehabilitation. iScience, 26 (7) 107102, 1-26. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107102
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Ma, Yuanying, You, Fang, Parry, David, Urban, Anja and Huang, Longbin (2023). Adaptive growth and acidogenic fermentation performance of haloalkaliphilic bacterial communities enriched from biofilms colonising strongly alkaline and saline bauxite residue. Science of the Total Environment, 856 159131, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159131
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Yu, Lina, You, Fang, Wu, Songlin, Lu, Zhaohua, Hastwell, April, Ferguson, Brett and Huang, Longbin (2023). Nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Acacia holosericea plants grown in soil admixed with iron ore tailings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23 (1), 1085-1095. doi: 10.1007/s42729-022-01105-2
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Li, Zhen, Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Yi, Qing, Nguyen, Tuan A.H., Ma, Yuanying, You, Fang, Hall, Merinda, Chan, Ting-Shan, Huang, Yuanfang and Huang, Longbin (2022). Plant biomass amendment regulates arbuscular mycorrhizal role in organic carbon and nitrogen sequestration in eco-engineered iron ore tailings. Geoderma, 428 116178, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116178
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You, Fang, Ma, Yuanying and Huang, Longbin (2022). Pre-culturing soil microbial inoculum in plant residues enhanced the resilience of tolerant bacteria and bioneutralization efficacy in alkaline bauxite residues. Science of the Total Environment, 822 153627, 153627. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153627
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Li, Zhen, Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Yi, Qing, You, Fang, Ma, Yuanying, Thomsen, Lars, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui, Hall, Merinda, Saha, Narottam, Huang, Yuanfang and Huang, Longbin (2022). Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances water stable aggregate formation and organic matter stabilization in Fe ore tailings. Geoderma, 406 115528, 115528. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115528
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Nguyen, Tuan A. H., Guo, Xingyun, You, Fang, Saha, Narottam, Wu, Songlin, Scheuermann, Alexander, Ren, Chengyao and Huang, Longbin (2022). Co-solidification of bauxite residue and coal ash into indurated monolith via ambient geopolymerisation for in situ environmental application. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 422 126925, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126925
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You, Fang, Ma, Yuanying and Huang, Longbin (2021). Pre-culturing soil microbial inoculum in plant residues enhanced the resilience of tolerant bacteria and bioneutralization efficacy in alkaline bauxite residues. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-28. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3981306
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You, Fang, Lu, Ping and Huang, Longbin (2021). Characteristics of prokaryotic and fungal communities emerged in eco-engineered waste rock – Eucalyptus open woodlands at Ranger uranium mine. Science of the Total Environment, 816 151571, 151571. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151571
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Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Boughton, Berin, Liu, Yunjia, Nguyen, Tuan A. H., Wykes, Jeremy, Southam, Gordon, Robertson, Lachlan M., Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui, Lutz, Adrian, Yu, Dingyi, Yi, Qing, Saha, Narottam and Huang, Longbin (2021). Chemodiversity of Dissolved Organic Matter and Its Molecular Changes Driven by Rhizosphere Activities in Fe Ore Tailings Undergoing Eco-Engineered Pedogenesis. Environmental Science & Technology, 55 (19) acs.est.1c04527, 13045-13060. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04527
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Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2021). Native plant Maireana brevifolia drives prokaryotic microbial community development in alkaline Fe ore tailings under semi-arid climatic conditions. Science of the Total Environment, 760 144019, 144019. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144019
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Yi, Qing, Wu, Songlin, Southam, Gordon, Robertson, Lachlan, You, Fang, Liu, Yunjia, Wang, Sicheng, Saha, Narottam, Webb, Richard, Wykes, Jeremy, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui and Huang, Longbin (2021). Acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, drives alkaline pH neutralization and mineral weathering in Fe ore tailings. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (12), 8020-8034. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00848
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Robertson, Lachlan M., Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Huang, Longbin, Southam, Gordon, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui and Bond, Phillip L. (2020). Geochemical and mineralogical changes in magnetite Fe-ore tailings induced by biomass organic matter amendment. Science of The Total Environment, 724 138196, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138196
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Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Wu, Zhaoxiang, Bond, Philip, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2020). Correction to: Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities across the gradient of alkaline Fe ore tailings, revegetated waste rock to natural soil sites. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27 (11), 11980-11980. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-08026-6
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Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Wu, Zhaoxiang, Bond, Philip, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2020). Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities across the gradient of alkaline Fe ore tailings, revegetated waste rock to natural soil sites. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27 (11), 11968-11979. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-07780-x
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Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Bougoure, Jeremy J., Southam, Gordon, Chan, Ting-Shan, Lu, Ying-Rui, Haw, Shu-Chih, Nguyen, Tuan Anh Huu, You, Fang and Huang, Longbin Huang (2019). Organic matter amendment and plant colonization drive mineral weathering, organic carbon sequestration and water stable aggregation in magnetite Fe ore tailings. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (23) acs.est.9b04526, 13720-13731. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04526
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You, Fang, Zhang, Liping, Ye, Jun and Huang, Longbin (2019). Microbial decomposition of biomass residues mitigated hydrogeochemical dynamics in strongly alkaline bauxite residues. Science of the Total Environment, 663, 216-226. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.317
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You, Fang, Dalal, Ram and Huang, Longbin (2018). Initiation of soil formation in weathered sulfidic Cu-Pb-Zn tailings under subtropical and semi-arid climatic conditions. Chemosphere, 204, 318-326. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.037
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You, Fang, Dalal, Ram and Huang, Longbin (2017). Biochar and biomass organic amendments shaped different dominance of lithoautotrophs and organoheterotrophs in microbial communities colonizing neutral copper(Cu)-molybdenum(Mo)-gold(Au) tailings. Geoderma, 309, 100-110. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.09.010
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You, Fang, Dalal, Ram C. and Huang, Longbin (2016). Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia. Soil Research, 54 (3), 265-275. doi: 10.1071/SR15069
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Li, Xiaofang, You, Fang, Bond, Philip L. and Huang, Longbin (2015). Establishing microbial diversity and functions in weathered and neutral Cu–Pb–Zn tailings with native soil addition. Geoderma, 247-248, 108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.02.010
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You, Fang, Dalal, Ram, Mulligan, David and Huang, Longbin (2015). Quantitative Measurement of Organic Carbon in Mine Wastes: Methods Comparison for Inorganic Carbon Removal and Organic Carbon Recovery. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 46 (Supplement 1), 375-389. doi: 10.1080/00103624.2014.989113
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Li, Xiaofang, You, Fang, Huang, Longbin, Strounina, Ekaterina and Edraki, Mansour (2013). Dynamics in leachate chemistry of Cu-Au tailings in response to biochar and woodchip amendments: a column leaching study. Environmental Sciences Europe, 25 (Provisional) (32) 32, 1-23. doi: 10.1186/2190-4715-25-32
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You, Fang, Hu, Dan, Zhang, Haitao, Guo, Zhen, Zhao, Yanhua, Wang, Bennan and Yuan, Ye (2011). Carbon emissions in the life cycle of urban building system in China - A case study of residential buildings. Ecological Complexity, 8 (2), 201-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2011.02.003
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Hu, Dan, You, Fang, Zhao, Yanhua, Yuan, Ye, Liu, Tianxing, Cao, Aixin, Wang, Zhen and Zhang, Junlian (2010). Input, stocks and output flows of urban residential building system in Beijing city, China from 1949 to 2008. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 54 (12), 1177-1188. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.03.011
Conference Publication
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You, Fang, Lu, Ping, Hall, Merinda and Huang, Longbin (2021). Collaborative microbial communities establishing in eco-engineered waste rock-woodland systems at Ranger uranium mine in Australia. Soils, Investing in our future 2021 joint conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 June-2 July 2021.
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Ma, Yuanying, You, Fang and Huang, Longbin (2021). Organic carbon metabolism of haloalkaliphilic heterotrophs under alkaline and saline conditions – a potential role to treat alkaline and saline wastes. Goldschmidt 2021, Virtual, 4-9 July 2021. France: European Association of Geochemistry. doi: 10.7185/gold2021.5611
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Can mycorrhizal fungi stimulate mineral weathering and soil formation in Fe ore tailings?
Wu, Songlin, Liu, Yunjia, Huang, Longbin, Southam, Gordon, Nguyen, Tuan and You, Fang (2020). Can mycorrhizal fungi stimulate mineral weathering and soil formation in Fe ore tailings?. Goldschmidt2020, Online, 21 - 26 June 2020. Washington, DC United States: Geochemical Society and of the European Association of Geochemistry. doi: 10.46427/gold2020.2901
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Plant biomass amendment induced mineralogical and geochemical changes in magnetite Fe-ore tailings
Robertson, Lachlan, Wu, Songlin, You, Fang, Huang, Longbin, Southam, Gordon and Bond, Philip (2020). Plant biomass amendment induced mineralogical and geochemical changes in magnetite Fe-ore tailings. Goldschmidt2020, Online, 21-26 June 2020.
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Huang, L., Fang, Y., Liu, Y., Wu, S. and Parry, D. (2019). Ecological engineering to accelerate mineral weathering and transformation underpins sustainable tailings rehabilitation. Mine Closure 2019, Perth, WA, Australia, 12-14 September 2019. Perth, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics. doi: 10.36487/ACG_rep/1915_14_Huang
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Wu, Songlin, Huang, Longbin and You, Fang (2018). Molecular diversity revealed limited natural colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in magnetite iron ore tailings. 4th International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation 2018, Hong Kong, 16-18 August 2018.
Other Outputs
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Huang, Longbin and You, Fang (2022). Treatment of bauxite residue. WO/2022/099360.
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You, Fang (2015). Rehabilitation of organic carbon and microbial community structure and functions in Cu-Pb-Zn mine tailings for in situ engineering technosols. PhD Thesis, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.940
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2023–2027) Technological Resources Pty Limited
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(2021–2022) UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
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Developing marine bacteria biotechnology for red mud rehabilitation and rare-earth recovery
(2020–2023) Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
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(2012) UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
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(??) Australia's Economic Accelerator Seed Grants
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Nitrogen-fixing microbe functions in supplying N for sustaining plant productivity in bauxite residue technosol
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Carbohydrate metabolism by haloalkaliphilic and organotrophic microbes in seawater neutralized bauxite residue
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Leguminous nitrogen fixation and N-cycling in eco-engineered bauxite residues
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Organic matter decomposition and turnover in rhizobiomes of bauxite residue technosols
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
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(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Microbial sulfur oxidation driven mineral weathering in alkaline iron ore tailings
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Multiphase bioactivation driven resource recovery in alkaline mining waste
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Adaptation mechanisms and N-fixing functional capacity of free-living and rhizobium in alkaline mining waste
