China turns toxic soil into self-cleaning rare earth reactors

Chinese scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an innovative, nature-based method called microbial iron mining to address severe soil pollution. This technique leverages the natural interaction between microbes and iron minerals in soil to produce iron nanoparticles that bind and transform toxic pollutants such as heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury), organic toxins, and microplastics. By enhancing microbial activity through adding agricultural residues like rice straw and managing soil moisture, the process accelerates the formation of iron-rich minerals that capture contaminants. Unlike conventional remediation methods, this approach avoids heavy machinery and harmful chemicals, allowing the soil to self-purify and regenerate over time. Tested in iron-rich environments like rice paddies and wetlands, microbial iron mining not only immobilizes toxic substances but also has the potential to recover rare earth elements critical for clean energy technologies. This transforms polluted soils into self-cleaning biogeochemical reactors, offering a low-cost, adaptable, and environmentally friendly solution for restoring farmlands, wetlands, and industrial sites