Review
Environmental Sciences
Payam Rasoulnia, Robert Barthen, Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) are important high-tech materials with a high risk of supply disruption. Bioleaching as an alternative technology for the recovery and recycling of REEs from various sources has potential applications in the future.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Rachel Yesenchak, Shikha Sharma, Aaron E. Maxwell
Summary: Rare earth elements and yttrium are crucial for manufacturing technologies that are important for economy and national security. As the demand for these elements increases and conventional ores become scarce, unconventional resources like coal are being considered as potential sources. This study used coal chemistry data to evaluate the potential of coal deposits in West Virginia as resources for rare earth elements and yttrium, and found that the concentrations of these elements are primarily proportional to the inorganic content.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Zhongrong Qiu, Chunhui Tao, Weilin Ma, Agata Alveirinho Dias, Siyi Hu, Yuexiao Shao, Kehong Yang, Weiyan Zhang
Summary: The geochemistry and mineralogy of sediments in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the east Pacific indicate multiple origins for the material, primarily influenced by marine biomass, with REY characteristics similar to pelagic deep-sea sediments. The sediments in the study area show distinct REE distribution patterns and are concluded to have had pelagic sedimentary properties affected by strong seawater effects.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Duc Huy Dang, Wei Wang, Gesche Winkler, Anique Chatzis
Summary: The study finds significant correlations between the accumulation of rare earth elements (REEs) and other elements in plankton, suggesting non-selective uptake of REEs into plankton. Furthermore, there are differences in the distribution of REEs between freshwater and marine environments, with freshwater plankton exhibiting enrichment of middle rare earth elements (MREEs) and marine plankton showing enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs). This study emphasizes the significant enrichment of REEs in freshwater primary producers and their accumulation pathway similar to other inorganic elements.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinghua Qian, Liugen Zheng, Chunlu Jiang, Xing Chen, Yongchun Chen, Yanfei Xu, Yuanping Chen
Summary: This study found that the concentrations of REEs in surface waters in the Huainan mining area were relatively low, with significantly enriched HREEs compared to LREEs. The simulation results showed that carbonate complexes were the dominant and typically inorganic complex form of REEs in the surface waters, contributing to the enrichment of HREEs. Additionally, REEs in the study area displayed different degrees of Ce and Eu anomalies when normalized against the North American Shale Composite.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugenia Krasavtseva, Sergey Sandimirov, Irina Elizarova, Dmitriy Makarov
Summary: This study focused on the chemical composition of surface waters and lake bottom sediments in the Lovozero tundra affected by a rare metal ore mining enterprise, revealing elevated concentrations of trace elements and rare earth elements in the polluted samples. The potential ecological risk index values for the lakes Ilma and Lovozero indicated moderate ecological risk pollution due to the accumulation of these elements in the sediments.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
William Larsen, Xiao-Ming Liu, Diego A. Riveros-Iregui
Summary: The study analyzes the characteristics of REE content in water samples from San Cristobal Island in Galapagos and identifies two main factors responsible for the observed REE fractionation mechanisms in small-scale natural systems. The findings highlight the importance of pH-driven changes in aqueous complex stability by organic or anionic complexes and the preferential adsorption of HREE onto Fe- and Mn- oxyhydroxides at low pH.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bo Li, Qingmin Kong, Guangcai Wang, Fei Liu, Liang Guo, Chenglong Liu, Fu Liao, Zheming Shi
Summary: Understanding the behaviors of rare earth elements (REE) in aquatic environments is crucial for revealing complex hydrochemical processes and hydrological circulation. This study found significant differences in general hydrochemistry and REE geochemistry between acidic and alkaline springs, with acidic springs having REE concentrations one to three orders of magnitude higher than alkaline springs and river water. The REE behaviors in thermal springs are controlled by processes including water pH, the content and species of Fe and Mn, and inorganic complexation and adsorption. Based on the overall hydrochemistry and inverse geochemical modeling, acidic springs in the Rehai geothermal field originate from oxidized shallow water heated by steam containing H2S, while alkaline springs are derived from deep geothermal water.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yingying Guo, Keyi Chen, Shihan Lei, Yuan Gao, Shengpeng Yan, Ming Yuan
Summary: By studying the mechanisms of rare earth elements (REEs) adsorption and detoxification in the cell walls of Phytolacca americana, it was found that pectin is the main binding site for REEs in the cell wall, and hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups play a key role in the binding. In addition, P. americana can adjust the composition of cell walls to counteract REEs stress. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of REEs adsorption and fixation in the cell walls of P. americana, contributing to a theoretical basis for the bioremediation of REEs pollution.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wojciech Jurkowski, Michael Paper, Thomas B. Brueck
Summary: Water soluble compounds that form complexes with Rare Earth Elements (REE) and other metals were isolated from Calothrix brevissima biomass for the first time. These compounds are likely polysaccharides consisting of arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose. The binding mechanism with Tb involves sulfate- and hydroxyl-groups, and the compounds show specificity in binding to Tb over other metals.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Juanjuan Ma, Shuyan Li, Jinxi Wang, Shuting Jiang, Balaji Panchal, Yuzhuang Sun
Summary: This study optimized the culture conditions and bioleaching process of Aspergillus niger for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from coal fly ash (CFA). It was found that organic nitrogen sources influenced the morphology and acid production capacity of A. niger, with oxalic acid being the main acid secreted (4.05 mg/L). The initial pH value was identified as the most influential factor affecting the bioleaching process, and by optimizing it, a leaching rate of 30.91% for total REEs in CFA was achieved. The main mechanism of REEs bioleaching by A. niger from CFA was speculated to be proton exchange and organic ligand complexation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michael Paper, Max Koch, Patrick Jung, Michael Lakatos, Tom Nilges, Thomas B. Brueck
Summary: This study investigated the potential of 12 cyanobacterial strains for biosorption of rare earth elements, and Nostoc sp. 20.02 showed the highest adsorption capacity. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, Calothrix brevissima SAG 34.79, Desmonostoc muscorum 90.03, and Komarekiella sp. 89.12 were also promising strains. The adsorption of metals by the strains had fast kinetics and pH value had a significant impact on the process.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Emmanuel Yaw Owusu-Fordjour, Xinbo Yang
Summary: Bioleaching, using microorganisms to dissolve minerals and extract Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in aqueous media, has gained attention for its potential eco-friendliness compared to other extraction methods. Mixed culture bioleaching is preferred for efficient REEs extraction, promoting closed-loop recycling and reducing supply chain issues. This literature review provides an overview of challenges, opportunities, microorganisms, mechanisms, approaches, parameters, and techno-economic considerations related to REEs bioleaching, and offers recommendations for future advancements.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Olena Artiushenko, Raphael Freire da Silva, Volodymyr Zaitsev
Summary: Rare Earth elements (REEs) are crucial for high-tech and everyday consumer products. The demand for REEs has rapidly grown due to their use in high-tech and sustainable technologies. However, the REEs world market is at risk due to political tensions and low substitutability of REEs mining technology. This review focuses on the adsorptive recovery of REEs from solutions with high content of transition and heavy metals.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qi Li, Bin Ji, Rick Honaker, Aaron Noble, Wencai Zhang
Summary: The recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from acid mine drainage (AMD) is an important research topic. Selective chemical precipitation has been found to be effective in increasing the recovery rate of REEs. The presence of aluminum species reduces the adsorption capacity of REEs on iron precipitates, while the presence of ferrous ions competes with REEs for adsorption sites. Additionally, the pH value also affects the precipitation process of REEs.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Fei Li, Gregory E. Webb, Thomas J. Algeo, Stephen Kershaw, Chaojin Lu, Amanda M. Oehlert, Qiaolin Gong, Ali Pourmand, Xiucheng Tan
Article
Geography, Physical
Stephanie Duce, Belinda Dechnik, Jody M. Webster, Quan Hua, James Sadler, Gregory E. Webb, Luke Nothdurft, Marcos Salas-Saavedra, Ana Vila-Concejo
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Geology
Kelsey L. Sanborn, Jody M. Webster, Gregory E. Webb, Juan Carlos Braga, Marc Humblet, Luke Nothdurft, Madhavi A. Patterson, Belinda Dechnik, Susan Warner, Trevor Graham, Richard J. Murphy, Yusuke Yokoyama, Stephen P. Obrochta, Jian-Xin Zhao, Marcos Salas-Saavedra
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Paleontology
Vikram Vakil, Gregory E. Webb, Alex G. Cook
Article
Ecology
Tania M. Kenyon, Christopher Doropoulos, Sophie Dove, Gregory E. Webb, Steven P. Newman, Clarence W. H. Sim, Mohammed Arzan, Peter J. Mumby
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Narottam Saha, Gregory E. Webb, Jian-Xin Zhao, Stephen E. Lewis, Ai Duc Nguyen, Yuexing Feng
Summary: This study highlights the potential application of coral trace element proxies, particularly rare earth elements (REE), in examining historical changes in coastal water quality. Additionally, long-term records of coral REEY can serve as a crucial tool in identifying shifting baselines and evaluating the impacts of catchment alteration on coastal water quality and specific coral reef communities.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yu Zou, Gregory E. Webb, Fenghua Zhao, Dongna Liu, Hongwei Kuang, Jibiao Zhang, Yuan Chen
Summary: The study of redox-sensitive elements (RSE) compositions in marine sedimentary archives in eastern China during the Meso-Neoproterozoic period reveals enriched RSE elements in oxidized shallow conditions, indicating potentially enhanced oxygen levels and fluctuating palaeoredox structures. The findings suggest that pulsed oxic conditions may have facilitated biological innovations.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Holly E. Smith, Joseph J. Bevitt, Jahdi Zaim, Yan Rizal, Aswan, Mika Rizki Puspaningrum, Agus Trihascaryo, Gilbert J. Price, Gregory E. Webb, Julien Louys
Summary: High-throughput thermal-neutron tomographic imaging was used to visualize internal diagnostic features of dense fossiliferous breccia from three Pleistocene cave localities in Sumatra, Indonesia. The study demonstrates the potential of CT imaging in studying fossil remains non-destructively, while also highlighting the importance of traditional methods of fossil preparation. The results suggest that rapid depositional phases of water and sediment gravity flow were the primary agents in the formation of the breccias and concentration of incorporated vertebrate remains. This study emphasizes the potential for future analyses of breccia deposits in palaeontological studies in caves around the world.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marcos Salas-Saavedra, Gregory E. Webb, Kelsey L. Sanborn, Jian-xin Zhao, Jody M. Webster, Luke D. Nothdurft, Ai Nguyen
Summary: This study reveals the water quality evolution in the offshore waters of the Great Barrier Reef over the past 8200 years. The results show a non-linear trend in the influence of terrigenous sediment on the offshore water quality of the Great Barrier Reef, which is influenced by regional and global climate factors. The water quality in the southern Great Barrier Reef significantly improved around 3200 years ago.
Article
Geography, Physical
Atefeh Sansoleimani, Gregory E. Webb, Daniel L. Harris, Stuart R. Phinn, Chris M. Roelfsema
Summary: This article examines the impact of geological environment on the growth of Holocene reefs in the central Great Barrier Reef. By dividing the reef into four map zones and analyzing the topography, bathymetry data, and earthquake epicenter distribution, the study finds that the central zone experienced greater active subsidence, while the surrounding areas were affected to varying degrees. The results of the study have important implications for reef management and predicting sea level rise.
Article
Paleontology
Julien Louys, Jonathan Cramb, Kyle Ferguson, Justine Kemp, Rachel Wood, Justyna J. Miszkiewicz, Nathalia Dias R. Guimaraes, Pennilyn Higgins, Kenny J. Travouillon, Scott A. Hocknull, Gregory E. Webb, Gilbert J. Price
Summary: Despite their critical importance for palaeoecological studies and the megafaunal extinction debate, the microfaunal assemblages from the Late Pleistocene to Holocene in Australia are rarely reported. However, the Capricorn Caves in central-eastern Queensland contains significant faunal records, allowing us to explore the microfaunal record of this region. The study reveals important changes in the microfaunal community of tropical Queensland between the Late Pleistocene and the late Holocene, emphasizing the importance of properly recording native faunas for modern biodiversity conservation efforts.
Article
Limnology
Tania M. M. Kenyon, Christopher Doropoulos, Kennedy Wolfe, Gregory E. E. Webb, Sophie Dove, Daniel Harris, Peter J. J. Mumby
Summary: This article reviews the dynamics of rubble beds on coral reefs, with a focus on the changes expected in the generation, mobilization, binding, and coral recruitment of rubble on future reefs. It predicts that major disturbances, such as storms and coral bleaching, will increase in intensity and frequency, leading to larger quantities of coral rubble. With smaller recovery windows and increased bioerosion, smaller and less complex rubble pieces will be generated more often. The time available for binding will be reduced, and changing ocean chemistry may affect the efficacy of binders. Ultimately, increased rubble cover will negatively impact coral recruitment into rubble beds.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Vikram Vakil, Gregory Webb, Alex Cook
Summary: This study presents a morphological and morphometric analysis of Australian Early Cretaceous plesiosaurs, comparing them with selected non-Australian elasmosaurids. Through biometric analysis and principal component analysis, potential hypotheses about their taxonomic classification are proposed for further testing.
PALAEONTOLOGIA ELECTRONICA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christoph E. Schrank, Michael M. W. Jones, Cameron M. Kewish, Grant A. van Riessen, Kathryn E. Elphick, Craig R. Sloss, Luke D. Nothdurft, Gregory E. Webb, David J. Paterson, Klaus Regenauer-Lieb
Summary: The study reveals the importance of micro-dissolution structures in deep-sea limestones for modulating carbon exchange between the geosphere and hydrosphere in the long-term carbon cycle.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geology
Tobias B. Grun, Morana Mihaljevic, Gregory E. Webb