Facet-Dependent Adsorption of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Actinides onto Goethite: REE Pattern Variability and Cerium Anomaly.

Assessing the fate of contaminants in the environment requires a deep understanding of intrinsic adsorption mechanisms on natural minerals such as Fe-oxyhydroxides. In this study, we proposed an innovative approach to probe site heterogeneities on the goethite surface by comparing the adsorption behavior of rare earth elements (REEs, including Sc, Y, and all lanthanides; Ln) except Pm, as well as Th and U. A surface loading-dependent adsorption of Ln and Y was observed, with a shift from (i) preferential middle to heavy REE adsorption and (ii) limited to substantial fractionation between Y and Ho as the loading increased.

Innovative in situ remediation of mine waters using a layered double hydroxide-biochar composite.

The current demand for alternative water sources requires the incorporation of low-cost composites in remediation technologies. These represent a sustainable alternative to more expensive, commercially used adsorbents. The main objective of this comprehensive field-scale study was to incorporate the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) into the hybrid biochar-based composites and apply an innovative material to remediate As/Sb-rich mine waters.

Cadmium Isotope Fractionation during Complexation with Humic Acid.

Cadmium (Cd) isotopes are known to fractionate during complexation with various environmentally relevant surfaces and ligands. Our results, which were obtained using (i) batch experiments at different Cd concentrations, ionic strengths, and pH values, (ii) modeling, and (iii) infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, highlight the preferential enrichment of light Cd isotopes bound to humic acid (HA), leaving the heavier Cd pool preferentially in solution (ΔCd of -0.15 ± 0.

Oral bioaccessibility of inorganic contaminants in waste dusts generated by laterite Ni ore smelting.

The laterite Ni ore smelting operations in Niquelândia and Barro Alto (Goiás State, Brazil) have produced large amounts of fine-grained smelting wastes, which have been stockpiled on dumps and in settling ponds. We investigated granulated slag dusts (n = 5) and fly ash samples (n = 4) with a special focus on their leaching behaviour in deionised water and on the in vitro bioaccessibility in a simulated gastric fluid, to assess the potential exposure risk for humans. Bulk chemical analyses indicated that both wastes contained significant amounts of contaminants: up to 2.