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Gu W, Geng Y, Xiao S, Gao Z, Wei W. The anthropogenic cycles of palladium in China during 2001-2020. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:167248. [PMID: 37739081 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Palladium (Pd) is a strategic metal and can help reduce environmental pollution, especially from vehicle exhausts. China is the world's largest Pd consumer, but with very limited reserves. However, Pd anthropogenic cycles remain unclear in China. This study aims to uncover the dynamic Pd flows and stocks in China for the period of 2001-2020 by conducting dynamic material flow analysis. The results show that the demand for Pd had increased by 10 folds during the study period due to stricter vehicle emissions policies. Also, China mainly imported such resource from the United States, Western Europe, and East Asia, with a share of 88.8 %. However, due to insufficient end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling system, the total recycled Pd was only 12.3 tons although the end-of-life Pd flow increased from 3.7 tons in 2001 to 30.8 tons in 2020. This implies a great Pd recycling potential. Therefore, it is urgent to promote Pd recycling by establishing an effective Pd recycling system. In addition, other policy recommendations, such as diversifying Pd import partners, increasing Pd emergency reserves, and economic instruments, are raised by considering the Chinese realities so that the overall Pd resource efficiency can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Gu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yong Geng
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Shijiang Xiao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ziyan Gao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wendong Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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Dai T, Liu YF, Wang P, Qiu Y, Mancheri N, Chen W, Liu JX, Chen WQ, Wang H, Wang AJ. Unlocking Dysprosium Constraints for China's 1.5 °C Climate Target. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14113-14126. [PMID: 37709662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Some key low-carbon technologies, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles, are underpinned by the strong rare-earth-based permanent magnets of the Nd, Pr (Dy)-Fe-Nb type (NdFeB). These NdFeB magnets, which are sensitive to demagnetization with temperature elevation (the Curie point), require the addition of variable amounts of dysprosium (Dy), where an elevation of the Curie point is needed to meet operational conditions. Given that China is the world's largest REE supplier with abundant REE reserves, the impact of an ambitious 1.5 °C climate target on China's Dy supply chain has sparked widespread concern. Here, we explore future trends and innovation strategies associated with the linkage between Dy and NdFeBs under various climate scenarios in China. We find China alone is expected to exhaust the global present Dy reserve within the next 2-3 decades to facilitate the 1.5 °C climate target. By implementing global available innovation strategies, such as material substitution, reduction, and recycling, it is possible to avoid 48%-68% of China's cumulative demand for Dy. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts in REE exploration and production are still required to meet China's growing Dy demand, which will face competition from the United States, European Union, and other countries with ambitious climate targets. Thus, our analysis urges China and those nations to form wider cooperation in REE supply chains as well as in NdFeB innovation for the realization of a global climate-safe future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yan-Fei Liu
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Qiu
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 5825 University Research Court, Suite 3500, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Nabeel Mancheri
- Rare Earth Industry Association, Diestsevest 14, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wei Chen
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jun-Xi Liu
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University Tokyo (Hongo Campus), 113-8654, 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo Japan
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heming Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Eco-Industry, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China
| | - An-Jian Wang
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
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Zheng B, Zhang YW, Geng Y, Wei W, Tan X, Xiao S, Gao Z. Measuring the anthropogenic cycles of light rare earths in China: Implications for the imbalance problem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163215. [PMID: 37011686 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Light rare earth elements (LREEs) are of strategic importance for low carbon transition and decarbonization. However, the imbalance between LREEs exists and a systematic understanding of their flows and stocks is lacking, which impedes the attainment of resources efficiency and exacerbates the environmental burdens. This study examines the anthropogenic cycles and the imbalance problem of three representative LREEs in China, the largest LREEs producer in the world, including cerium (the most abundant), neodymium and praseodymium (the fastest demand-growing). We find that 1) from 2011 to 2020, the total consumption of Nd and Pr increased by 228 % and 223 %, respectively, mainly attributed to the increasing demand of NdFeB, whereas that of Ce increased by 157 %; 2) the supply insufficiency of Nd and Pr under the current quota system accumulated to 138,086 tons and 35,549 tons, respectively, while the oversupply of Ce reached 63,523 tons; and 3) China has become a net importer of LREEs concentrates, and a net exporter of LREEs in the form of intermediate and final products, imposing further burdens to the domestic environment. It is clear that the imbalance of LREEs occurred during the study period, raising urgent needs to adjust the LREEs production quotas, seek other Ce applications, and eliminate illegal mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Zheng
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuquan W Zhang
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Yong Geng
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Wendong Wei
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xueping Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, No.1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Shijiang Xiao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ziyan Gao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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Blumenthal J, Diamond ML. Sustainability of the Internet of Things Requires Understanding of Mineral Demands and Supplies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9835-9837. [PMID: 35802777 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S3B1, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S3B1, Canada
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