Facile Recovery of Polycationic Metals from Acid Mine Drainage and Their Subsequent Valorisation for the Treatment of Municipal Wastewater

The presence of toxic and hazardous chemical species in municipal wastewater poses a significant environmental and public health challenge, necessitating innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective treatment solutions. This study pioneers the recovery and valorisation of polycationic metals from real acid mine drainage (AMD) for municipal wastewater treatment, demonstrating a novel approach that integrates resource recovery with wastewater remediation. A key strength of this study is the use of real municipal wastewater (authentic MWW) in the treatment phase, ensuring that the findings accurately reflect real-world conditions. Advanced analytical techniques were employed to characterise both aqueous and solid samples, and batch experiments were conducted to assess the removal efficiency of polycationic metals for key contaminants: ammonium (NH 4 + ), sulphate (SO 4 2− ), phosphate (PO 4 3− ), and nitrate (NO 3 − ). The optimised conditions are 2 g of polycationic metals per 100 mL, 90 min of contact time, and 35 °C. The yielded exceptional removal efficiencies are PO 4 3− (>99.9%), NH 4 + (>99.7%), NO 3 − (>99%), and SO 4 2− (>96%), achieving final concentrations of <0.5 mg/L for PO 4 3− and NH 4 + , 2.1 mg/L for NO 3 − , and 9.1 mg/L for SO 4 2− . Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model, indicating physisorption, while the Two-Surface Langmuir model suggested a combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous adsorption mechanisms. FTIR, SEM-EDX mapping, and XRF analyses confirmed the retention of P, S, and N in the product sludge, validating the adsorption process. This study is the first of its kind to recover Al-rich Fe species from real AMD and activate them for municipal wastewater remediation using authentic MWW, bridging the gap between laboratory-scale research and real-world applications. By simultaneously addressing AMD pollution and municipal wastewater treatment, this research advances circular economy principles, promotes sustainable water management, and contributes to national and global efforts toward water security and environmental protection.