Rare Earth Elements Compositions and Genesis of Xinhua Large-Scale Phosphorite Deposit in Western Guizhou, China

Zhijin County in Western Guizhou is one of the most important production areas of phosphorites in China. In order to investigate genesis of the phosphorites, their REE compositions were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. For comparison, phosphorites from the Lower Cambrian black rock series in Southern China, such as Zunyi in Guizhou and Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, were also analyzed. The analytical data show that: (1) Xinhua phosphorites possess a quite high and greatly varied total rare earth elements (ΣREE), which varying between 164.23×10-6 and 1395.01×10-6 with average of 642.54×10-6, remarkable differentiation between light (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE), and the ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios varying between 5.04 and 6.52. The ΣREE and ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios of the Zunyi and Zhangjiajie phosphorites are 156.69×10-6～637.41×10-6 with average of 431 75×10-6 and 3.17～6.95 with average of 4.37 respectively; (2) All the phosphorites from Xinhua, Zunyi and Zhangjiajie show remarkable negative Ce anomalies. Besides, the Xinhua phosphorites possess lower δCe, which varying between 0.26 and 0.53 with average of 0.35, while δCe of the Zunyi and Zhangjiajie phosphorites are 0.30～0.66 with average of 0.47, suggesting that all of the phosphorites are typical marine sediments deposited mainly in ancient peri-continental seas, and the depositional position of the Xinhua phosphorite might be deeper; (3) Most phosphorites from Xinhua, Zunyi and Zhangjiajie possess unremarkable positive Eu anomaly, and only a few of samples show obvious ones. The δEu varies between 0.98 and 2.4, suggesting that hot (>200 ℃) and strong reductive hydrothermal fluids might have been involved in genesis of the phosphorites; (4) The Xinhua phosphorite is relatively depleted in HREE, and LaN/NdN and δY of most samples are >1 and >1.5 respectively. Besides, there exists no correlation between δY and δCe, suggesting that the phosphorite was subjected to quite strong weathering and leaching processes, and catagenesis do not greatly modify its REE compositions.

Separation and Enrichment of Rare Earth Elements in Phosphorite in Xinhua,Zhijin,Guizhou

The phosphorite ores-deposits rich in rare earth elements(REE) in Zhijin, Xinhua, Guizhuo occurs in the early Cambrian Meishucun and at the bottom part of Qiongzhusi stage (the upper layer of phosphorites), belonging to Yangzi stratum section. The living creature scraps was proved existent in dolomitic-phosphorites by experiments, The REE could be extracted to provide the worthy data for the further using. Adopting the HNO3 to extract REE, through the ion exchange method, the REE recovery rate could be reached 85.44% , having certain reference value.

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.

Origin of Phosphorite Nodules of Lebedinsky Iron Deposit in Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) of the Russian Platform

Phosphorite has become increasingly important as the raw material for phosphatic fertilizer. Phosphorite nodules are widespread in the Kursk complex deposit (Russian platform). Genesis of these nodules has long been a matter of debate, and this has hampered understanding of the mechanism and controls in the formation of the nodules. In this paper, we report the petrographical, mineralogical, and geochemical data of the Lebedinsky phosphorite nodules. Petrographic study reveals complex phosphatic cement resulting in the replacement of apatite minerals around quartz grains. The main mineral composition consists of quartz, phosphate minerals (apatite, francolite mainly), feldspar, iron hydroxides and carbonate minerals. These results, when combined with available data, are used to address the origin of the phosphorite nodules. The nodules are characterized by the universal presence of biogenic and chemical signatures which is phosphorus crown around crystal grains. The structure of the nodules is massive. Their texture is depicted by basaltic cement and concretion, which consists mainly of apatite and its varieties, with general formula: Ca_10 (PO_4, CO_3) 6(F,OH,Cl). Variation of mineralogy appears dependent on geological setting. Microscopic observations of biogenic fossils in Lebedinsky phosphorite favor a chemical and biogenic origin of phosphorites. Weathering has been suggested to be capable of liberating as much as 20 %-35 % P_2O_5 from sedimentary rocks. Previous investigations demonstrate that weathering of the Proterozoic substratum was the main cause in the formation of Fe, Mo, Mn, Pb, Zn, and P in the Russian platform. We therefore suggest that both weathering and biochemical processes have been positive in the formation of the Lebedinsky phosporite nodules. However, whether continental weathering or oceanic bio-chemical processes are more relevant in the phosphorite accumulation remains undetermined.

Phosphorite generative processes around the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary in South China: An integrated study of Mo and phosphate O isotopic compositions

Large phosphorite deposits in Central Guizhou,China,were formed around the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary(PC/C),including the Ediacaran(Doushantuo stage)and early Cambrian(Gezhongwu stage).Among them,Gezhongwu phosphorite from Zhijin are enriched in rare earth elements(REE)plus yttrium(REY),reaching 3.503 million tons.Although phosphorites have attracted great attention,the specific sources P and REY remained unclear.To determine the P and REY sources and establish a phosphogenic model of PC/C phosphorite,we present an integrated dataset of Mo and phosphate O isotopes for the first time,along with carbonate C and O isotopes,geology,petrology,and geochemistry.In all samples,d18Op,Y/Ho,and Zr/Hf decreased from the Ediacaran to the early Cambrian,indicating increased terrigenous weathering fluxes while decreased upwelling water input.Furthermore,terrigenous weathering delivery significantly elevated marine REY concentrations in the Cambrian in Zhijin.The Ceanom and d98/95Mo suggest that seawater was oxidized in the later Ediacaran and became entirely oxic in the early Cambrian.The positive feedback between oxygen levels in atmosphere and primary productivity caused progressive oxygenation in ocean-atmosphere system and enable phosphorites to be formed by different mechanisms.Results show that the Lower Doushantuo consist of abiotic intraclasts and exhibited“seawaterlike”REY types,indicating abiological and mechanical reworking phosphogenesis.The Upper Doushantuo and Gezhongwu Formation contained mainly microbial debris and abiogenic intraclasts,and exhibit “hat-shaped”REY plots,suggesting microbially mediated phosphogenesis.Based on this data set,we developed a phosphogenic model illustrating formation of these two phosphorite deposits,wherein the Lower Doushantuo phosphorite formed through the reworking of pre-existing phosphatic sediments in anoxic and abiotic ocean,whereas the Upper Doushantuo and Gezhongwu phosphorite formed via microbial metabolisms in oxic and biotic conditions.Our study has implications on the PC/C phosphorite generative processes,as well as paleoenvironmental conditions.

3D characterization of porosity and minerals of low-permeability uranium-bearing sandstone based on multi-resolution image fusion

In the process of in situ leaching of uranium,the microstructure controls and influences the flow distribution,percolation characteristics,and reaction mechanism of lixivium in the pores of reservoir rocks and directly affects the leaching of useful components.In this study,the pore throat,pore size distribution,and mineral composition of low-permeability uranium-bearing sandstone were quantitatively analyzed by high pressure mercury injection,nuclear magnetic resonance,X-ray diffraction,and wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence.The distribution characteristics of pores and minerals in the samples were qualitatively analyzed using energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy and multi-resolution CT images.Image registration with the landmarks algorithm provided by FEI Avizo was used to accurately match the CT images with different resolutions.The multi-scale and multi-mineral digital core model of low-permeability uranium-bearing sandstone is reconstructed through pore segmentation and mineral segmentation of fusion core scanning images.The results show that the pore structure of low-permeability uranium-bearing sandstone is complex and has multi-scale and multi-crossing characteristics.The intergranular pores determine the main seepage channel in the pore space,and the secondary pores have poor connectivity with other pores.Pyrite and coffinite are isolated from the connected pores and surrounded by a large number of clay minerals and ankerite cements,which increases the difficulty of uranium leaching.Clays and a large amount of ankerite cement are filled in the primary and secondary pores and pore throats of the low-permeability uraniumbearing sandstone,which significantly reduces the porosity of the movable fluid and results in low overall permeability of the cores.The multi-scale and multi-mineral digital core proposed in this study provides a basis for characterizing macroscopic and microscopic pore-throat structures and mineral distributions of low-permeability uranium-bearing sandstone and can better understand the seepage characteristics.

Effect of Bacillus mucilaginosus on weathering of phosphorite and a preliminary analysis of bacterial proteins

The authors investigated the effect of Bacillus mucilaginosus on weathering of phosphorite. Analysis of different proteins was of significance in exploring the molecular biological mechanism in the bacterial weathering process. The concrete methods are described as follows: Mineral powder was put into liquid culture medium and B. mucilaginosus was incubated in the medium. The control (group) had no mineral powder in the medium. The treatments and controls were cultured simultaneously under the same condition. In a few days, the supernatant was filtrated, the main cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Mn2+, Al3+, Fe3+, K+) were measured by ICP-OES, and the contents of water soluble phosphorus (Pws) and silicon (Siws) were determined by colorimetry. The residual solid was weighed on the filter paper, followed by digestion with concentrated HNO3. The concentrations of the main cations and Pws, Siws in the digest liquid were measured by using the method mentioned above. After the supernatant was centrifuged, the precipitation was used to analyze the protein differences between the treatment groups and the control groups by 2-dimentional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The experimental results showed that apatite and quartz were partially weathered, but kaolinite was dissolved completely. The population of bacteria increased when mineral powder was added in the liquid medium. Software analysis and comparison of the 2-DE pictures of bacterial proteins revealed 1134 visible protein spots in the treatment group, and 729 visible protein spots in the control group. To compare the bacterial protein expression contents of the treatment group with those of the control group, there were 496 different protein spots, including 214 protein spots which indicated that the protein contents increased, 75 protein spots were indicative of a decrease, and 207 proteins were newly synthesized. It is proposed that the increased bacterial contents may be related to some protein expression and activation after the input of mineral powder. Newly synthesized proteins, the increase of expression contents and the reduction of proteins may be connected with bacterial metabolic regulations, cell activation and signal transmission.

Enrichment characteristics and sources of the critical metal yttrium in Zhijin rare earth-containing phosphorites, Guizhou Province, China

Yttrium(Y)is a critical metallic element that is used widely in modern scientific,technological,and industrial applications.Phosphorites in the Zhijin area of Guizhou Province,China,are famous for Y enrichment,but the enrichment characteristics and sources remain unclear.Previous studies suggested that the sources of rare earth elements(REEs,La-Lu)and Y(REYs,La-Lu+Y)were related to hydrothermal deposition.However,this study presents evidence refuting that hypothesis,with major and trace elemental data collected with quadrupoleinductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(Q-ICPMS)analysis.These data show that Y in Zhijin REYscontaining phosphorites has a normal distribution and is particularly enriched relative to other REYs.The Y enrichment degree is different at different∑REY intervals.Specifically,the Y enrichment degree is higher at lower∑REY values and lower at higher∑REY values.The REYs-containing phosphorites show features of primary phosphorites.Both REEs and Y have good correlations with P2 O5 in the phosphorites with low REYs contents(total REYs<535 ppm),whereas at high REYs contents(total REYs>535 ppm),REEs have a good correlation with P2 O5 but Y does not.Inconsistent enrichment processes of REYs are suggestive of complex sources of Y.Thus,seafloor hydrothermal fluids were not the direct source of Y.Normal seawater mixed with terrestrial sources might have contributed to the origin of Y here.This study could lead to improvements in Y mineral resource explorations and the situation involving the global REYs supply crisis.

REE geochemistry of Early Cambrian phosphorites from Gezhongwu Formation at Zhijin, Guizhou Province, China

The Cambrian Gezhongwu Formation in Southwest China is the lowest Cambrian phosphorite unit. The Formation belongs to the Meishucun stage with small shelly fossils. Rare-earth element (REE) data from the Gezhongwu phosphorites of Zhijin documented the depositional conditions. The total REE concentrations are high in the Gezhongwu phosphorites, which are especially rich in yttrium. The PAAS-normalized REE patterns of the Gezhongwu phosphorites are characterized by negative Ce anomalies and slight enrichment of MREE, as being hat-shaped. The hat-shaped patterns suggest that the REE originated from depositional environments rather than from subsequent diagenesis. The negative Ce anomalies indicate that the depositional environments are oxic. The positive Eu anomaly, the high total REE and the hat-shaped REE pattern revealed contributions from the normal marine environment mixed with hydrothermal water to the REE budget of the Gezhongwu phosphorites.

Concerning the Original Viewpoint of Biogeologic Accumulation of the Old Bedded Phosphorites in the Khubsugul and Zavkhan Basins of Mongolia

This paper concerns deals with?biogeologic?accumulation and their peculiarities, lithological unites of the phosphorite-bearing formations of these basins and an evolution of the old biota. Old bedded phosphorites are believed to be connected with specific biogeological events happening in the Neoproterozoic glaciation, which was followed by rapid deglaciation,?Ediacaran bioradiation and the “great” postglacial transgression bearing phosphorites at its initial phase. The Mongolian phosphate basins give evidence of this phenomenon. Khubsugul basin is located in the northern Mongolia. The Neoproterozoic-Cambrian phosphorite-bearing khubsugul group is subdivided into 3 formations as ongolik, kheseen and erkhelnuur which are rich in organic fossils (a group of cyanobacterial mats, archaeocyaths, trilobites) in the ascending order. The Zavkhan basin lies in the western Mongolia. The Ediacaran-lower Cambrian sediments are divided into five formations: Maikhanuul (diamictites), Tsagaanolom (phosphorite-bearing carbonate), Bayangol, Salaanygol and Khairkhan. All the formations contain the paleontological fossils (algae, sponges, cyanobacterial mats, ichnocoenosis, soft-bodied fauna, archaeocyaths, etc.). Bedded phosphorites are the object for comprehensive research of bacterial paleontology. It is shown at example of the Mongolian Khubsugul and Zavkhan sea shelf phosphate basins. The expounded actual material clearly shows that the heterogeneous biologic activity, suitable geologic (transgressive systems tracts) and paleogeographic (glaciations, warm climate, etc.) conditions played an important role in the formation and accumulation of the biogenic bedded phosphorites.

Rare Earth Elements in Egyptian Phosphorites

Egyptian phosphorites from Abu Tartur (Western Desert), El Mahamide mine (Nile Valley) and Rabah mine (Eastern Desert) show variable degrees of relative REE enrichment. Black plateau phosphorites of Abu Tartur are substantially enriched in REE as compared to the Red Sea and Nile Valley phosphorites. P-rich organic matter from the Abu Tartur and Rabah mines recorded negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies. Positive Eu anomaly reveals an anoxic event prior to the phase of Late Cretaceous phosphate formation. Ce is a redox indicator. Mixing of sea water and upwelling during the Late Cretaceous was responsible for the recording of positive Eu and negative Ce anomalies in the Egyptian phosphorites.

Geochemical Characteristics and Occurrence States of RE Element in Phosphorite in Xinhua , Zhijin, Guizhou

The RE and composition of trace elements analysis show that phosphorite-ores are rich in ∑ RE concentration generally in Xinhua, Zhijin.The phosphorites were measured to gather LRE and HRE element.It is higher than other rocks.The phosphorite has enriched Y, La and Nd chemical element.There are leading characteristics of concentrated La, LRE and Y, HRE.The chondrite-normalized RE element patterns of the Xinhua dolomitic phosphorite distribute mode for rightwards type to one side of the curve.LRE/HRE ＞ 1, (La/Sm)N ＞ (Gd/Yb)N, and all indicate that LRE content is higher than HRE.The test mode of chemical analysis of single mineral, chemistry phase analysis, scan electric analysis and micro-electronics probe analysis were adopted.The chart of EDAX showed that there was representative element-Y(RE) in exsiting.There was no independent mineral of the RE.It is show that part of the few rare earth chemical element is adsorbed by the clay mineral, much for the type of quality isomorphic form exist in the apatite crystal structure of phosphorite inside.

Scandium Geochemistry of Phosphorites, Guizhou, Southwest China

Geochemical characteristics of scandium are described with respect to its source, evolution and correlation with REE as observed in Late Sinian and Early Cambrian phosphorites and tuffs in Guizhou. Comparison of chondrite\|normalized REE patterns and some other parameters between the phosphorite and tuff shows that scandium and REE are most likely to have been derived from earlier or contemporaneous marine volcanics or tuffs, with no indication of genetic link to the purple shales, siltstones and dolomites in the area. The conditions under which the Sc bearing phosphorites were formed are discussed in the light of sulfur isotopes and Eh Ph constrains.

Forms of Iron in the Phosphorites of Abu-Tartur Area,Egypt

The Campanian\|Maastrichtian phosphatic deposits in Egypt, called the Duwi Formation, comprise a part of the extensive Middle East to North African phosphogenic province of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene age. The province holds the greatest accumulation of phosphorites in the geological history, possibly in excess of 70 billion metric tons. The phosphate resources in Egypt alone exceed 3 billion metric tons. Two\|third of these three billions occur only in the Abu\|Tartur area.\; Among the phosphorite deposits in Egypt, the phosphorites of the Abu\|Tartur area are characterized by high contents of iron ranging from 3% to 7% with an average of 5%. The detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies on the Abu\|Tartur phosphorites revealed that iron is found in the form of pyrite, ankerite, clay minerals, microinclusions, and iron oxide. Pyrite, which is the major fraction, occurs as filling cement and partial to complete replacement of phosphatic grains and confined to the fresh phosphorites while iron oxide occurs as cryptocrystalline aggregates of red to brown particles and is confined to the weathered outcrops. Exclusive relations between pyrite in the fresh phosphorite samples inside the Abu\|Tartur mine and iron oxide in the equivalent horizon of the weathered exposure indicated that iron oxide was formed by the oxidation of pyrite as a result of weathering. All of these forms harm the quality of ore, manufacturing processes, and the produced phosphoric acid and fertilizers.

不同含水率和应力作用下磷块岩的损伤特性研究

地下磷矿长期受地下水侵蚀,水—岩作用是地下采矿工程中的常见问题,在开挖扰动下容易诱发地质灾害。为探究磷块岩在不同水—岩作用下的损伤破坏特性,借助声发射仪监测手段开展不同含水率磷块岩的单轴加载试验,分析了不同含水状态下磷块岩的宏观破坏特征和力学特性,进而构建了声发射振铃计数表征的试件内部损伤变量模型。研究结果表明:①水对磷块岩中胶结物质具有弱化作用,进而对磷块岩的力学性能造成劣化效应;②水会影响磷块岩的破坏模式,随着含水率增加,磷块岩的破坏模式由脆性破坏向塑形破坏转变,表现为磷块岩试件峰值应变随其含水率增加而增大;③随着磷块岩含水率升高,磷块岩在加载至破坏过程中产生声发射时间相对越滞后,声发射振铃计数和能量逐渐减小,不同含水率磷块岩内部损伤变量的演化过程与岩样受力加载全过程属同步关系。研究结果可为地下磷矿安全开采提供理论参考。

西南地区磷块岩型稀土矿成因探讨——以贵州织金矿为例

为了探讨贵州织金磷块岩型稀土矿稀土来源,发现晚二叠世玄武岩富稀土,而玄武岩风化到一定程度后,稀土容易在风化形成的黏土中富集;通过因子分析发现,织金磷块岩中稀土元素与黏土矿物显著正相关,但磷块岩中的稀土主要分布于磷灰石中,而不是黏土中;通过织金稀土伴生磷块岩分布位置研究发现,它们分布在熔岩流底端边缘且有深大断层,滇东部磷块岩型稀土矿也有类似情况,这些特点有利于最大面积收集上游来的由水带来的黏土,黏土又随水通过断层进入下部的磷块岩附近,稀土会从黏土进入到磷灰石中。矿区上游富稀土的玄武岩风化,所在位置断层发育,又在熔岩流底端边缘带,这三位一体是在扬子地台西部寻找磷块岩型稀土矿的重要成矿模式。

贵州织金早寒武世磷块岩中稀土富集机制

稀土元素和钇(REY)是极其重要的战略资源,被誉为“工业维生素”(蒋训雄等,2011),随着科技的进步和应用技术的不断突破,稀土氧化物的价值越来越大,全球市场对稀土(尤其是重稀土)的需求量与日俱增。我国是世界上稀土资源最丰富的国家,白云鄂博稀土矿床和华南离子吸附粘土型矿床提供了世界REY产量的95%以上(Emsbo et al.,2015)。

黔中寒武纪梅树村期磷块岩中小壳动物化石结构和成分:对生物成磷的制约

小壳动物化石微结构及壳体成分的认知对于揭露寒武纪早期小壳动物群的演化具有重要意义,黔中地区早寒武世梅树村期磷块岩中保存了大量的小壳化石,为了获取该时期小壳化石微结构及成分的关键信息,本文利用电子显微镜、扫描电镜对岩石薄片小壳化石个体进行观察、分析,获得了贵州织金熊家场和清镇落夯地区的寒武纪梅树村期磷块岩中小壳动物化石微结构、壳体成分特征。结果显示,织金、清镇地区的磷块岩中小壳化石多样性与其壳体成分表现一致,主要为软舌螺类,其成分为P、Ca、F、O等氟磷灰石组成元素;小壳化石壳体保存有明显的纳米级磷灰石矿化颗粒骨架、多圈层结构、溶蚀多孔隙和管体嵌套的现象。另外,通过电子探针对小壳化石进行原位微区元素面扫描,发现主要元素P、Ca分布在小壳化石及小壳化石碎片中,胶结物几乎不含P元素。综合判断,两个研究区域的寒武纪梅树村期磷块岩小壳动物化石多为异地埋藏保存,且保存过程中,成岩作用等后期磷酸盐化、搬运沉积对小壳化石微结构及其壳体成分产生一定改造影响;基于薄片全玻面扫描推断全岩小壳动物化石(含化石碎片)含量,与磷块岩中磷含量呈正相关关系,认为寒武纪梅树村期小壳动物的繁盛对同期磷块岩的形成具有重要贡献。

四川什邡式磷矿床中、重稀土元素富集规律及资源潜力——以绵竹清平磷矿为例

什邡式磷矿床是我国重要的磷矿类型,其以矿床规模大、矿石磷品位高和富含稀土元素为特征。然而,对该类型矿床中稀土元素的富集规律及资源潜力尚缺乏详细的研究。本文以四川绵竹典型的什邡式磷矿床——清平磷矿为研究对象,在野外地质调研基础上,对矿区含磷层(磷块岩层、深灰色和褐红色富硫-磷-铝-锶层)和顶、底板岩石(白云岩)开展系统的显微岩相学、扫描电镜/能谱分析和全岩地球化学分析,探索矿床中稀土元素的分布和富集特征,并在此基础上揭示四川什邡式磷矿床中伴生的稀土资源潜力。结果显示,清平磷矿顶、底板白云岩稀土元素(La~Lu+Y)含量低(平均13.6×10^(-6)),磷块岩稀土元素含量中等(平均280.0×10^(-6)),而富硫-磷-铝-锶层稀土元素高度富集(平均2053.9×10^(-6)),尤其是褐红色富硫-磷-铝-锶层(高达3257.2×10^(-6))。结合前人已有的分析数据,四川什邡式磷矿床中的富硫-磷-铝-锶层的稀土元素含量平均为2259.4×10^(-6),最高达3286.8×10^(-6),其中的中、重稀土元素(Sm~Lu+Y)平均为1276.9×10^(-6),最高达2213.0×10^(-6),在稀土元素总量中的占比高,达55.1%,远高于华南离子吸附型稀土矿、织金磷矿中伴生的稀土元素以及富稀土元素的深海沉积物。初步估算,四川什邡式磷矿床伴生的总稀土元素潜在资源量达25.2万吨,其中的中、重稀土元素含量达15.6万吨,仅富硫-磷-铝-锶层中伴生的中、重稀土元素就高达9.6万吨。因此,四川什邡式磷矿床具有重要的经济和社会价值,对其中的中、重稀土元素的开发利用将有望缓解我国中、重稀土元素资源短缺的现状。