Geochemical characterization of rare earth elements in sediment profiles from the Oualida lagoon(Morocco)

The present work assesses the temporal distribution pattern and geochemical changes of rare earth elements and Yttrium, Scandium, Thorium, and Uranium delivery into the Oualidia lagoon. Two sediment cores were retrieved from the Oualidia lagoon and analyzed using neutron activation analysis. The results indicated that heavy rare earth elements are slightly enriched the sediment cores over light rare earth elements. The highest values of REEs were recorded in the top layers of the cores and depleted with depth, suggesting a possible change in factors controlling their accumulation, including mechanical, chemical, and environmental parameters such as weathering intensity, grain size, and Fe-Mn oxides. The sediments display positive Ce anomalies, which are probably related to the submarine weathering process and detrital input. Noting also the variation of hydrodynamics conditions and confinement of the upstream part of the lagoon played a key role in changing the sediment origins.Thus, further investigation of REEs origin in the Oualidia lagoon sediment is required to identify their sources,provenances, and the factors controlling their spatial and vertical distributions. However, these results provide baseline data of occurring changes in REEs geochemical composition and constitute a typical study case to understand the link between sedimentary and geochemistry processes in a lagoonal ecosystem.

Simultaneous Determination of Trace Rare Earth Elements and Other Elements in High Purity Terbium Oxide (Tb_4O_7) by ICP-AES After HPLC Separation Using P507 Resin

This article describes a new method for the simultaneous determination of trace rare earth elements (REEs) and non rare earth elements (NREEs) in high purity terbium oxide by ICP-AES after HPLC separation using P507 resin. The chromatographic separation of the analytes from the matrix using dilute nitric acid as mobile phase was studied. The experimental results showed that a favorable separation of trace metals (Cu and Gd) from the matrix (Tb) can easily be achieved by elution with dilute nitric acid within 25 min. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace metals (Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) in high purity terbium oxide. The detection limits (DLs) for the analytes ranged from 0.4-4.0 μg\5g -1, and the recoveries are from 78%-105%.

A new type of rare earth elements deposit in weathering crust of Permian basalt in western Guizhou, NW China

A new type of rare earth elements （REEs） deposit was discovered from the gaolinite mudstone in the weathering crust of Permian basalt, Bijie region, western Guizhou, China. It contained ∑RE2O3 0.065%-1.086%. This type of REEs deposit was widely distributed with steady horizon and thickness of 3-4 m. The ore-bearing weathering crust （kaolinite） of the three discovered REEs deposits belonged to the third episode of the Emeishan basalt eruption. The new type of REEs deposit was suggested that basalt （tuff） weathering could lead to the enrichment of the rare earth elements. Therefore, it is of important economic significance to explore REEs deposits in the weathering crust of basalt （tuffs） in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces.

A Survey of 16 Rare Earth Elements in the Major Foods in China

Objective The aim of this survey was to investigate the level of contamination of the most consumed foods in China with 26 rare earth elements （REEs）, and to provide the basic data for establishing and revising food safety standards for REEs. Methods Sixteen REEs in foods were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） in the labs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of four provinces and two municipalities, during 2009-2020. Results 2 231 samples were analyzed and 29 221 concentration data of 16 REEs were collected. The REEs levels in the investigated foods varied significantly. The concentrations of cerium （Ce）, dysprosium （Dy）, yttrium （Y）, lanthanum （La）, and neodymium （Nd） were relatively high, while the remaining eleven REEs were at low levels. The mean values of total rare earth element oxides （REOs） in cereals, fresh vegetables, fresh aquatic products, fresh meats and eggs varied from 0.052 mg/kg to 0.337 mg/kg. Conclusion 16 REEs in the major foods were at very low contamination levels in the investigated regions.

Effect of rare earth elements addition on thermal fatigue behaviors of AZ91 magnesium alloy

Influences of rare earth （RE） elements addition on thermal fatigue behaviors of AZ91 alloy were studied. Repeated heating and cooling cycles were applied on the samples at 170 and 210℃ to develop thermal fatigue cracks. Crack growth mechanisms and microstructural influences were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） as well as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS）. Thermal fatigue behaviors were observed to improve successively by addition of the RE up to 2wt.%. This improvement was attributed to the consummation of aluminum in melt by precipitation of the needle shaped AII1RE3 phases. This process was attributed to the reduction of MglTAl12 phase volume fraction and consequent decrease of the brittle Mg/MglTAl12 interface which was the main reason for weak thermal properties of the alloy at rather high temperatures. Further additions of RE, however, reduced the thermal shock resistance of the samples by increasing the mean length of the brittle needle shaped phases.

From mantle to critical zone:A review of large and giant sized deposits of the rare earth elements

The rare earth elements are unusual when defining giant-sized ore deposits,as resources are often quoted as total rare earth oxide,but the importance of a deposit may be related to the grade for individual,or a limited group of the elements.Taking the total REE resource,only one currently known deposit（Bayan Obo） would class as giant（〉1.7×10^7 tonnes contained metal）,but a range of others classify as large（〉1.7×10^6 tonnes）.With the exception of unclassified resource estimates from the Olympic Dam 10 CG deposit,all of these deposits are related to alkaline igneous activity- either carbonatites or agpaitic nepheline syenites.The total resource in these deposits must relate to the scale of the primary igneous source,but the grade is a complex function of igneous source,magmatic crystallisation,hydrothermal modification and supergene enrichment during weathering.Isotopic data suggest that the sources conducive to the formation of large REE deposits are developed in subcontinental lithospheric mantle,enriched in trace elements either by plume activity,or by previous subduction.The reactivation of such enriched mantle domains in relatively restricted geographical areas may have played a role in the formation of some of the largest deposits（e.g.Bayan Obo）.Hydrothermal activity involving fluids from magmatic to meteoric sources may result in the redistribution of the REE and increases in grade,depending on primary mineralogy and the availability of ligands.Weathering and supergene enrichment of carbonatite has played a role in the formation of the highest grade deposits at Mount Weld（Australia） and Tomtor（Russia）.For the individual REE with the current highest economic value（Nd and the HREE）,the boundaries for the large and giant size classes are two orders of magnitude lower,and deposits enriched in these metals（agpaitic systems,ion absorption deposits） may have significant economic impact in the near future.

Rare earth elements distribution in marine sediments of Malaysia coasts

In the east coast Peninsular Malaysia region,sediments are transported by several rivers from the east Malaysia into the South China Sea estuary.In the vicinity of the five river estuaries core sediments were collected in order to investigate rare earth elements(REEs) profile.Core sediments were divided into strata of between 2 to 4 cm intervals and prepared for analyzing by ICP-AES.REE concentrations of 54.3 μg/gr at 24–26 cm in EC4 increased to 114.1 μg/gr at 20–22 cm in EC5.The measured concentration of ...

A review of fractionations of rare earth elements in plants

Studies were carried out on several aspects of rare earth elements （REEs）, such as the theory and practice of their applications in agriculture, their geochemical behaviors in natural and agricultural ecosystems, the mechanisms for the increase of crop yield using REE fertilizer, and their toxicology. However, limited knowledge was available for the transfer processes and the features and mechanisms of distribution and fractionations of REEs inside plants. The characteristics of REE fractionations in plants can be used to ＂trace＂ the pathway of REE transportation from soils （solution） to plants. A better understanding of the mechanisms of REE fractionations was helpful to investigate the controlling factors, including both the internal and the external ones. The characteristics and mechanisms of REE fractionations in plants and their significance were reviewed. Furthermore, the prospect for these fields was discussed, in hope of providing a new way in studying the bioavailability of REEs and heavy metals.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Erosion Resistance of Nitrocarburized Layers of 38CrMoAl Steel

Effect of rare earth elements (RE) on erosion resistance of nitrocarburized layer of 38CrMoAl steel was investigated. The results indicate that significant improvement occurs in erosion resistance of nitrocarburized 38CrMoAl steel by introducing RE during nitrocarburizing processing as compared with conventional nitrocarburizing processing. Results of mechanical testing show that both hardness and impact toughness of RE-nitrocarburizing layer of 38CrMoAl steel increase as compared with the conventional one. Optical microscopy reveals that there is improvement in the nitrocarburized layer attributed to the introduction of RE, which results in improvement in erosion resistance. Surface morphology observation of tested samples reveals that predominantly furrow-like peelings from plastic deformation are observed for RE nitrocarburizied 38CrMoAl steel, while the furrow-like peeling with initial cross crack and large grinding peelings were observed for conventionally nitrocarburized samples.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Anisotropy and Microstructure of Al-Li Alloy 2195 Sheets

For the purpose of decreasing the applied limitation resulting from the anisotropic mechanical property of Al-Li alloy 2195, this study employed a complex heat treatment process, involving the pre-tension, thermo-infiltration of the rare earth element Ce, solution treatment, and artificial aging technology. The results indicate that the infiltration of rare earth element Ce benefits the abatement of anisotropy of Al-Li alloy 2195 sheet, in contrast with that of the normal heat treatment process. The gradient of the Vickers-hardness decreases at least 50% through the thickness, and the tensile strength in the rolling direction also increases significantly. If Ce was infiltrated into the alloy under the optimum pre-deformation, the yield strength （σ0.2） increased by 30 MPa while the tensile strength （σb） enhanced by 25 MPa compared to the rare earth free samples. Meanwhile, the fractography illustrated that the fracture surface of the sample became more desirable.

Anomaly and geochemistry of rare earth elements and yttrium in the late Permian coal from the Moxinpo mine,Chongqing,southwestern China

The rare earth elements and yttrium(REY)of the K2 coal from the Moxinpo mine,Chongqing,were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).The results show that REY are enriched in the K2 coal,with the average content up to 462 lg/g,much higher than average values of most coals in the world.The REY distribution patterns indicate that the light REY is enriched and show a well-pronounced Eu minimum.The fractionation of individual light-REY is higher than that of the heavy-REY.The REY distribution through the K2 coal seam shows that the top and bottom portion of the coal seam have a lower content of REY than the middle portion.Goyazite and rhabdophane were identified with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersed X-ray spectrometer(SEM-EDX).The REY distributions through the coal seam,SEM-EDX data and the correlation analysis between ash yields and the concentrations have revealed that the REY mainly occurs in the organic matter.The K2 coal is a potential rare-metal resource due to its high REY contents,and the coal ash could be regarded as a new and promising raw material for recovery of REY as a by-product.

Rare earth elements in tropical surface water,soil and sediments of the Terengganu River Basin,Malaysia

The 14 stable rare earth element(REE) concentrations and distribution patterns were investigated for surface waters(n=51),soils(n=52) and sediments(n=42) from the tropical Terengganu River basin,Malaysia.The chondrite normalized REE patterns of soils developed on four geological units showed enrichment of LREE,a pronounced negative Eu,and depletion of HREE with an enrichment order granite>>metasedimentary>alluvium>volcanic.The REE patterns in sediments reflected the soil REE patterns with an ove...

Electronic Theoretical Study of the Interaction between Rare Earth Elements and Impurities at Grain Boundaries in Steel

The model of dislocations was used to construct the model of grain boundary (GB) with pure rare earths, and rare earth elements and impurities. The influence of the interaction between rare earth elements and impurities on the cohesive properties of 5.3° low angle GB of Fe was investigated by the recursion method. The calculated results of environment sensitive embeding energy( E ESE ) show that the preferential segregation of rare earth elements towards GBs exists. Calculations of bond order integrals (BOI) show that rare earth elements increase the cohesive strength of low angle GB, and impurities such as S, P weaken the intergranular cohesion of the GB. So rare earth element of proper quantity added in steel not only cleanses other harmful impurities off the GBs, but also enhances the intergranular cohesion. This elucidates the action mechanism of rare earth elements in steel from electronic level and offers theoretical evidence for applications of rare earth elements in steels.

Effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure and properties of magnesium alloy AZ91D

The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure andproperties of magnesium alloy AZ91D alloy were studied. The differentproportion of rare earth elements was added to the AZ91D and thetensile tests were carried out at different temperatures. Theexperimental results show that at room temperature or at 120 deg. Cthe AZ91D's strength decrease with the increasing amount of the rareearth elements. However, the ductility is improved. The influence of0.14/100Sb(mass fraction)on the AZ91D's strength is like that of rareearth elements(0.2/100-0.4/100)(mass fraction). Microstructure graphsdemonstrate that appropriate amount of rare earth elements(0.1/100-0.2/100)can fine AZ91D's grain and improve its ductility.

Geochemical Characteristics and Behaviors of Rare Earth Elements in Process of Vertisol Development

Vertisol developed on argillaceous rocks has its special pedogenic processes and properties, and formed some secondary nodules. In study area, contents of rare earth elements (REE) are significantly different in different sedimentary rocks due to varied contents of clay fraction and clay mineral composition, etc. Under the dry and hot climate, REEs were less differentiated than their parent sedimentary rocks. However, REEs in secondary nodules formed in pedogenic process display their specific behaviors. They are more concentrated in iron concretions, the content of heavy REEs increases relatively, and positive Ce-anomaly appears. But, negative Ce-anomaly was found in calcium concretions, while normal Ce content in parent rocks and vertisol.

Fluid Inclusion Studies and Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements of Hydrothermal Fluorites from Pohrenk,Kirsehir,Central Turkey

Fluorite mineralization occurs along fractures and cracks of Middle Eocene and Pliocene limestones and marls in the north and northeast of the P?hrenk region (?i?ekdagi, Kirsehir). Tb/Ca – Tb/La and Y/Ho ratios were obtained from REE contents of fluorites which have revealed that mineralization is of hydrothermal type. Negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies reflect that hydrothermal solutions once had high oxygen fugacity. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that homogenization temperatures of mineralization varied between 90°C and 200°C, and hydrothermal solutions are composed of NaCl + KCl + MgCl2 + H2O. In addition, salinity measurements show that hydrothermal solutions were mixed with meteoric or rock formation water. Geologic setting, REE geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies suggest that mineralization was deposited from a solution generated by mixing of magmatic and meteoric water under epithermal conditions.

Rare earth elements and yttrium in ferromanganese deposits from the South China Sea:distribution,composition and resource considerations

Ferromanganese nodules and crusts contain relatively high concentration of rare earth elements（REE） and yttrium（REY）,with a growing interest in exploitation as an alternative to land-based REY resources.On the basis of comprehensive geochemical approach,the abundance and distribution of REY in the ferromanganese nodules from the South China Sea are analyzed.The results indicate that the REY contents in ferromanganese deposits show a clear geographic regularity.Total REY contents range from 69.1×10^-6 to 2 919.4×10^-6,with an average value of 1 459.5×10^-6.Especially,the enrichment rate of Ce content is high,accounting for almost 60% of the total REY.This REE enrichment is controlled mainly by the sorption of ferromanganese oxides and clay minerals in the nodules and crusts.Moreover,the total REY are higher in ferromanganese deposits of hydrogenous origin than of diagenetic origin.Finally,Light REE（LREE） and heavy REE（HREE） oxides of the ferromanganese deposits in the study area can be classified into four grades： non-enriched type,weakly enriched type,enriched type,and extremely enriched type.According to the classification criteria of rare earth resources,the Xisha and Zhongsha platform-central deep basin areas show a great potential for these rare earth metals.

Rare Earth Elements in Zhijin Phosphorite and Distribution in Two-Stage Flotation Process

Zhijin phosphorite is one of super large-scale medium-low grade and REE-bearing phosphorite deposit in Southwest of China. Previous investigations had revealed that this deposit contained appreciable amounts of rare earth elements (REE) reaching up to 1300 μg·g-1. In this paper, REE contents and existing state in single collophanite and dolomite mineral were further analyzed by ICP-MS and EPMA-1600 Electric Probe methods. The results indicated that REE content of collophanite was far more than that of dolomite, and increased with an increase of phosphor. There existed independent minerals of REE in single collophanite mineral, such as cerianite and monazite, but the amount of them was extremely little. No independent mineral of yttrium was found in this investigation. Presumedly, REE and yttrium were present in the form of ions in the lattices of collophanite. Based on above investigation, the two-stage reverse flotation technology was carried out to see the distribution of REE in flotation process. It was found that REE was mainly enriched in phosphate concentrate and recovered in the rough stage flotation. REE recovery of concentrate increased with an increase of P2O5 content and P2O5 recovery of concentrate. Under the optimum flotation condition, REE recovery was 79.25% in the rough stage flotation and 9.94% in scavenging flotation.

Rare earth elements-rich phase and enriching mechanism in sediments from CC area, the Pacific Ocean

Compared to North American shale composition (NASC), REE contents of sediments from the CC area in the Pacific Ocean are obviously high except that cerium has equal content to that of NASC. Three-valence rare earth elements were completely enriched in phosphate-phase and cerium in iron-phase. Rare earth elements in the sediments were originally derived from seawater. During lithi- genic and minerogenic processes of metalliferous nodules, three-valence rare earth elements in sediments mobilized and incorporated into sediments as authigenous biogenic-apatite, while cerium had change from Ce3+ to Ce4+ and directly precipitated from seawater and entered metalliferous nodules and caused Ce anomalies in REE pattern in sediments.

Geochemistry of rare earth elements in cobalt-rich crusts from the Mid-Pacific M seamount

Rare earth elements（REEs） and major elements of 25 cobalt-rich crusts obtained from different depths of Mid-Pacific M seamount were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer and gravimetric method.The results showed that they were hydrogenous crusts with average ∑REE content of 2084.69 μg/g and the light REE（LREE）/heavy REE（HREE） ratio of 4.84.The shale-normalized REE patterns showed positive Ce anomalies.The total content of strictly trivalent REEs increased with water depth.The Ce content and LREE/HREE ratios in Fe-Mn crusts above 2000 m were lower than those below 2000 m.The change in REE with water depth could be explained by two processes：adsorptive scavenging by setting matters and behaviors of REE in seawater.However, the Ce abundance took no obvious correlation with water depth reflects the constant Ce flux.The Ce in crusts existed mainly as Ce（IV）, implying that the oxidative-enriching process was controlled by kinetic factors.