Impact of Hydrous Manganese and Ferric Oxides on the Behavior of Aqueous Rare Earth Elements (REE): Evidence from a Modeling Approach and Implication for the Sink of REE.

Haiyan Liu,Lahcen Zouhri,Raul E Martinez,Huaming Guo,Olivier Pourret

doi:10.3390/ijerph15122837

Abstract

In this study, models were used for the first time to investigate the fate and transport of rare earth elements (REE) in the presence of hydrous manganese and ferric oxides in groundwaters from the coastal Bohai Bay (China). Results showed that REE sorption is strongly dependent on pH, as well as hydrous manganese and ferric oxide content. Higher proportions of REE were sorbed by hydrous manganese oxide as compared to hydrous ferric oxides, for example in the presence of neodymium. In this case, a mean 28% of this element was sorbed by hydrous manganese oxide, whereas an average 7% sorption was observed with hydrous ferric oxides. A contrasting REE sorption behavior was observed with hydrous manganese and ferric oxide for all investigated groundwaters. Specifically, REE bound to hydrous manganese oxides showed decreasing sorption patterns with increasing atomic number. The opposite trend was observed in the presence of hydrous ferric oxides. In addition, these results suggested that light REE (from La to Sm) rather than heavy REE (from Eu to Lu) are preferentially scavenged by hydrous manganese oxide. However, the heavy REE showed a greater affinity for hydrous ferric oxides compared to light REE. Therefore, both hydrous manganese and ferric oxide are important scavengers of REE. This study shows the implication of hydrous manganese and ferric oxide sorption for the sink of REE in groundwater.

Highlights

Rare earth elements (REE) concentrations in groundwaters vary depending on specific water–rock interactions, and the presence of dissolved or colloidal organic and inorganic species
The results of our study showed that REE sorption exhibits a strong dependence on pH, as well
The results of our study showed that REE sorption exhibits a strong dependence on pH, as well as on Mn and Fe oxide content

Summary

Introduction

Rare earth elements (REE) concentrations in groundwaters vary depending on specific water–rock interactions, and the presence of dissolved or colloidal organic and inorganic species. Several studies have shown that unique REE signatures can be obtained, which are representative of the types of aquifer rock material through which the water is flowing [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The variable REE content of groundwaters, results from a number of different chemical parameters. It has been previously observed, for example, that a high REE content arises from slightly acidic conditions in waters with high CO2 concentrations. Under near-neutral conditions, the proportion of dissolved REE is low, with lowest. REE levels found in alkaline groundwaters [7]. The physicochemical parameters of groundwaters, Int. J. Public Health 2018, 15, 2837; doi:10.3390/ijerph15122837 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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