Effects of in situ leaching on the origin and migration of rare earth elements in aqueous systems of South China: Insights based on REE patterns, and Ce and Eu anomalies.

J Hazard Mater

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China.

Published: August 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study examines the impact of ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) mining on water systems in South China, focusing on the sources and behavior of REEs in groundwater and surface water.
  • The concentration of REEs decreased from upstream to downstream, with specific transformations noted in the types of REE colloids present in the water as it flows through the mining area.
  • Findings show that mining activities significantly influence the distribution and speciation of REEs, as indicated by the anomalies in certain REEs, revealing both their origins and changes through various hydrological processes.

Article Abstract

In situ leaching of ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits has released large amounts of REE-containing wastewater. However, the origin, speciation, distribution and migration of REEs in aqueous systems of the mining catchment are poorly understood. Groundwater, surface water, in situ leachates and weathered granite soil samples were collected from a catchment affected by mining activities in South China. The REE concentrations in groundwater (6.18 × 10-0.49 μmol L) and surface water (2.54-44.05 μmol L) decreased from upstream to downstream. REEs in groundwater were detected in organic matter associated (FA-REE) colloids, while the REE and REE(SO) were converted to REE(CO) and FA-REE colloids from leachates and upstream surface water to downstream. The REE patterns of leachates and upstream groundwater (light and middle REE enrichment) resembled those of soil, but showed heavy REE enrichment due to FA-REE colloids in the downstream. REE in surface water were derived from middle REE enriched leachate. The Ce and Eu anomalies in the water samples indicated the REE origin (i.e., mining activities) and the hydrological variations (e.g., oxidation environment and water-rock interaction). Our results reveal the origin and fate of REE in aqueous systems of ion-adsorption REE mining catchments.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128959DOI Listing

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