Xiaohan Yu completed her undergraduate degree in Water Science and Engineering at Chongqing University and her master’s in Environmental Engineering at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the Centre of Mined Land Rehabilitation under the supervision of Professor Longbin Huang.
Researcher biography
Xiaohan's research focuses on the physiological mechanisms of aquatic biota in remediating alkaline leachates from alumina refineries.
Alumina is the second most economically important mineral globally. However, its production generates significant alkaline wastes, including bauxite residue and leachate, which are highly alkaline and contain elevated levels of soluble heavy metals. Passive treatment using aquatic biota in wetland systems offers a cost-effective approach to remediating alkaline leachates.
The understanding of the functional capacity of wetlands and the roles of tolerant aquatic biota in neutralising alkalinity, stabilising/immobilising metal(loid)s, and determining their chemical forms and reversibility in situ sediments is limited. Xiaohan's research aims to provide a foundation for designing effective wetlands that perform optimally under varying local and seasonal conditions.