Unveiling the speciation of Vanadium and its host mineral Iron in eco-engineered bauxite residue during multi-annual field trial (2025)

Bauxite residues are hazardous byproducts generated from the Bayer process to extract alumina from bauxite ores. Eco-engineering of bauxite residue into soil-like functional substrates provides a new-paradigm for ecosystem restoration1. Though a green process, it is essential to understand the behaviour of potentially toxic elements, such as Vanadium during the eco-engineering process to achieve environmentally friendly outcomes from the resultant technosol. This project aims to investigate solid phase speciation of V and its host Fe mineral phases to uncover the dynamics of V geochemistry at yearly time scales, providing critical information to minimize secondary pollution risk from rehabilitated landforms.