Application of Red Mud as Environmental Protection Field: Actuality, Prospects, and Challenges

RM (RM) is a by-product of extracting aluminum oxide from bauxite. The substantial accumulation of RM not only results in resource wastage but also presents considerable threats to the ecological environment. This review offers an in-depth overview of the current status of using the latest RM technology, focusing on its application in environmental protection materials (EPMs). The utilization of RM as environmental protection mainly includes wastewater treatment (e.g. inorganic anions, heavy metals, organic matter), waste gas removal (e.g. SO2, CO, NOx) and soil remediation. The mechanism of RM-EPMs in the treatment of wastewater, waste gas, and soil remediation have been discussed and summarized in this paper. Meanwhile, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the issues and deficiencies associated with RM in environmental remediation projects, along with potential future research directions. In conclusion, this review suggests a novel approach for enhancing the utilization of RM in future environmental restoration efforts.