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Dominech S, Federico C, Brusca L, Fornasaro S, Bellomo S, D'Alessandro W. Exploring Rare Earth Element behavior in the Mount Etna volcanic aquifers (Sicily). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:237. [PMID: 38849684 PMCID: PMC11161542 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
This study presents the first data on REY (Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium) in the aquifer of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy). Patterns normalized to chondrites indicate strong water-rock interaction, facilitated by a slightly acidic pH resulting from the dissolution of magma-derived CO2. REY patterns provide insights into the processes of both mineral dissolution and the formation of secondary phases. The relative abundance of light to heavy rare earth elements is compatible with the prevailing dissolution of ferromagnesian minerals (e.g., olivine or clinopyroxenes), reinforced by its strong correlation with other proxies of mineral dissolution (e.g., Mg contents). Pronounced negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies demonstrate an oxidizing environment with continuous formation of secondary iron and/or manganese oxides and hydroxides. The Y/Ho fractionation is strongly influenced by metal complexation with bicarbonate complexes, a common process in C-rich waters. In the studied system, the measured REY contents are always below the limits proposed by Sneller et al. (2000, RIVM report, Issue 601,501, p. 66) for surface water and ensure a very low daily intake from drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Dominech
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cinzia Federico
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Brusca
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Fornasaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sergio Bellomo
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter D'Alessandro
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
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Marginson H, MacMillan GA, Wauthy M, Sicaud E, Gérin-Lajoie J, Dedieu JP, Amyot M. Drivers of rare earth elements (REEs) and radionuclides in changing subarctic (Nunavik, Canada) surface waters near a mining project. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134418. [PMID: 38688225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of mining projects for rare earth elements (REEs) in response to rising global demand and geopolitical factors introduces environmental concerns, such as the suspected release of anthropogenic REEs to aquatic systems and the coexistence of radionuclides (U, Th). Northern regions confront heightened challenges from limited research and accelerated climate change. Drivers of REEs in surface waters (including George and Koroc rivers, their tributaries, and thermokarst lakes) were studied (2017-2023) in subarctic Canada within a climate transition zone, near a prospective REE mine. Dissolved REEs (<0.45 μm) correlated positively with Al, Fe, Th, U, Cl- and DOC. A novel relationship with water temperature demonstrated an approximate 10-fold decrease in REE concentrations over the environmental gradient (2-20 ℃), suggesting complex implications for REE speciation under climate pressures. Optical analyses further predicted REEs were mobilized by humic-rich, terrestrial DOC, with correlations presenting a possible co-transport with Al, Fe and Th. Relationships for redox-sensitive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 0.18-1.2) with multi-valent trace metals (Al, Fe, Ti) and DOC were suggestive of a preferential adsorption of Ce by inorganic colloids in low-DOC systems. Findings emphasized the potential for changes in REE geochemistry with ongoing northern surface warming and vegetation shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Marginson
- GRIL, Département de sciences biologiques, Complexe des Sciences, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - G A MacMillan
- GRIL, Département de sciences biologiques, Complexe des Sciences, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - M Wauthy
- GRIL, Département de sciences biologiques, Complexe des Sciences, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - E Sicaud
- Département de géographie, Université de Montréal, Canada; Centre d'Études Nordiques, Québec, Canada
| | - J Gérin-Lajoie
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada; Centre d'Études Nordiques, Québec, Canada
| | - J-P Dedieu
- Centre d'Études Nordiques, Québec, Canada; Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement (IGE), Université Grenoble-Alpes et CNRS, France
| | - M Amyot
- GRIL, Département de sciences biologiques, Complexe des Sciences, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre d'Études Nordiques, Québec, Canada.
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Rétif J, Briant N, Zalouk-Vergnoux A, Le Monier P, Sireau T, Poirier L. Distribution of rare earth elements and assessment of anthropogenic gadolinium in estuarine habitats: The case of Loire and Seine estuaries in France. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171385. [PMID: 38431160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs), attractive to society because of their applications in industry, agriculture and medicine, are increasingly released into the environment especially in industrialized estuaries. This study compared the REE distribution in the abiotic compartments: water (dissolved phase (<0.45 μm), suspended particulate matter (SPM)) and sediment of the Loire and Seine estuaries (France). A total of 8 and 6 sites were investigated in the Loire and Seine, respectively, as well as 5 additional offshore sites for the Loire. Total REE concentrations were higher in the Loire for the dissolved phase (93.5 ± 63.3 vs 87.7 ± 16.2 ng/L), SPM (173.9 ± 18.3 vs 114.0 ± 17.8 mg/kg dw) and sediments (198.2 ± 27.9 vs 73.2 ± 27.4 mg/kg dw), explained by higher geogenic inputs. Individual REE contributions along with normalization highlighted heavy REE enrichments and Gd positive anomalies in the dissolved phase of the two estuaries, whereas REE distributions in SPM and sediments followed the natural abundance of the REE classes. The calculated Gd anomalies in the dissolved phase were higher in the Seine (9.7 ± 3.4) than in the Loire (3.0 ± 0.8), corresponding to 88.3 ± 5.1 % and 64.4 ± 11.1 % of anthropogenic Gd. This demonstrates a higher contamination of the Seine estuary, certainly due to the difference in the number of inhabitants between both areas involving different amounts of Gd used in medicine. The offshore sites of Loire showed lower total REE concentrations (55.8 ± 5.8 ng/L, 26.7 ± 38.2 mg/kg dw and 100.1 ± 11.7 mg/kg dw for the dissolved phase, SPM and sediments, respectively) and lower Gd anomalies (1.2 ± 0.2) corresponding to only 13.3 ± 3.9 % of anthropogenic Gd, confirming a contamination from the watershed. This study comparing two major French estuaries provides new data on the REE distribution in natural aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Rétif
- Nantes Université, Institut des Substances et Organismes de la Mer, ISOMer, UR 2160, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Nicolas Briant
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Écosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Aurore Zalouk-Vergnoux
- Nantes Université, Institut des Substances et Organismes de la Mer, ISOMer, UR 2160, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Pauline Le Monier
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Écosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Teddy Sireau
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Écosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - Laurence Poirier
- Nantes Université, Institut des Substances et Organismes de la Mer, ISOMer, UR 2160, F-44000 Nantes, France.
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Goodman AJ, Scircle A, Kimble A, Harris W, Calvitti B, Sirkis D, Mathurin L, Grassi V, Ranville JF, Bednar AJ. Critical metal geochemistry in groundwaters influenced by dredged material. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 884:163725. [PMID: 37116809 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated critical metal (CM) geochemistry including rare earth elements (REEs), Co, Ni, and Mn in groundwaters below and surrounding two dredged material placement facilities (DMPFs). Metal concentrations are elevated at both sites, spanning several orders of magnitude. The highest CM concentrations measured exceed many environments considered as aqueous resources (Co and Ni > 1 mg L-1, REEs > 3 mg L-1). Correlations between sulfur and iron, major cations, and CMs indicate that oxidation of sulfides present in the DM releases metals both directly from sulfide minerals and indirectly through acid dissolution of and/or desorption from additional minerals. REE fractionation patterns indicate that their mobility in the groundwaters may be influenced by interactions with silicate, carbonate, and phosphate minerals. Significant positive Gd and Eu anomalies were observed, which may be attributed to increased mobility of Eu2+ and anthropogenic Gd. Nanogeochemical analysis of filtered samples revealed several REE-bearing nanoparticulate (diameter < 100 nm) species, some of which co-occurred with aluminum, suggesting an (oxy)hydroxide or a clay mineral component. Further characterization of soluble and nano scale geochemical speciation is needed to fully assess the viability of CM recovery from DM-associated groundwater. CM recovery from DM-associated waters can provide a beneficial use, both offsetting costs associated with disposal, and supplementing domestic CM resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Goodman
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, United States of America
| | - Austin Scircle
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, United States of America
| | - Ashley Kimble
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, United States of America
| | - William Harris
- US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, United States of America
| | - Bailey Calvitti
- US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, United States of America
| | - Daniel Sirkis
- US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, United States of America
| | - Leanne Mathurin
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States of America
| | - Vincent Grassi
- US Environmental Protection Agency, United States of America
| | - James F Ranville
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, United States of America
| | - Anthony J Bednar
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, United States of America.
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