Advancing Plant Physiology for Critical Mineral Biomining and Sustainable Resource Recovery

Plant physiology in the context of biomining for critical resource recovery is an emerging field at the intersection of plant sciences, mineral resource management, and environmental sustainability. The increasing global demand for critical minerals—essential for the production of clean energy technologies, electronics, and advanced materials—has intensified the search for alternative, low complexity and environmentally-friendly extraction methods. Among these, the use of plants and algae for biomining, bioremediation, and phytomining has gained considerable interest, yet significant knowledge gaps remain. Questions persist regarding the mechanisms governing mineral uptake, accumulation, and tolerance in various plant and algal species, as well as the broader ecological impact of these practices.Recent studies have highlighted the potential for hyperaccumulator plants and certain algae to absorb and concentrate critical minerals from soils and aqueous environments, offering promising pathways for low-impact resource recovery. However, most research to date is limited in scale and scope, often focusing on a narrow range of species or mineral types. There is a growing need for holistic investigations that consider plant physiological traits, the interaction between plant and microbial communities, and the influence of environmental variables on mineral assimilation and recovery rates. Moreover, integrating biotechnological advances with a deeper physiological understanding may help address current limitations in efficiency, scalability, and selectivity.This Research Topic aims to advance knowledge on the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying mineral uptake, transport, and accumulation in plants and algae, with a particular focus on applications in biomining, bioremediation, and environmental monitoring. We seek to bring together contributions that explore fundamental processes with a combination of advanced metabolic, protein and/or gene expression analyses, identify promising species or genotypes, and propose innovative approaches to optimize plant-based critical mineral recovery. The goal is not only to improve the performance and reliability of phytomining technologies but also to ensure their environmental and economic sustainability.Research within this scope will focus on mechanisms, impacts, and strategies related to the use of plants and algae for mineral extraction and ecosystem management, rather than conventional mining or unrelated agricultural applications. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Physiological and molecular mechanisms of mineral uptake, assimilation, processing and storage in plants and algae- Impact of exposure to rich mineral environments on plant and algae growth, metabolism, and photo-physiological responses- Identification and engineering of hyperaccumulator species for specific critical minerals- Plant-microbe interactions influencing biomining, bioremediation, and phytomining efficiency- Technological innovations for scaling up plant-based extraction systems- Environmental impacts, risk assessments, and monitoring associated with phytotechnologies- Comparative analyses of plant-based versus traditional mineral extraction methods- Socio-economic implications and policy considerations of critical mineral biomining Topic editors: Lieve M.L. Laurens, Rupali Datta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76812/advancing-plant-physiology-for-critical-mineral-biomining-and-sustainable-resource-recovery