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Adsorption of rare earth elements in regolith-hosted clay deposits

Author

Listed:
  • Anouk M. Borst

    (University of St. Andrews)

  • Martin P. Smith

    (University of Brighton)

  • Adrian A. Finch

    (University of St. Andrews)

  • Guillaume Estrade

    (University of Toulouse)

  • Cristina Villanova-de-Benavent

    (University of Brighton)

  • Peter Nason

    (University of Brighton)

  • Eva Marquis

    (University of Brighton)

  • Nicola J. Horsburgh

    (University of St. Andrews)

  • Kathryn M. Goodenough

    (The Lyell Centre)

  • Cheng Xu

    (Guilin University of Technology
    Peking University)

  • Jindřich Kynický

    (Mendel University
    Technology Innovation Transfer Chamber)

  • Kalotina Geraki

    (Physical Science)

Abstract

Global resources of heavy Rare Earth Elements (REE) are dominantly sourced from Chinese regolith-hosted ion-adsorption deposits in which the REE are inferred to be weakly adsorbed onto clay minerals. Similar deposits elsewhere might provide alternative supply for these high-tech metals, but the adsorption mechanisms remain unclear and the adsorbed state of REE to clays has never been demonstrated in situ. This study compares the mineralogy and speciation of REE in economic weathering profiles from China to prospective regoliths developed on peralkaline rocks from Madagascar. We use synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study the distribution and local bonding environment of Y and Nd, as proxies for heavy and light REE, in the deposits. Our results show that REE are truly adsorbed as easily leachable 8- to 9-coordinated outer-sphere hydrated complexes, dominantly onto kaolinite. Hence, at the atomic level, the Malagasy clays are genuine mineralogical analogues to those currently exploited in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Anouk M. Borst & Martin P. Smith & Adrian A. Finch & Guillaume Estrade & Cristina Villanova-de-Benavent & Peter Nason & Eva Marquis & Nicola J. Horsburgh & Kathryn M. Goodenough & Cheng Xu & Jindřich , 2020. "Adsorption of rare earth elements in regolith-hosted clay deposits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17801-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17801-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael L. Whittaker & David Ren & Colin Ophus & Yugang Zhang & Laura Waller & Benjamin Gilbert & Jillian F. Banfield, 2022. "Ion complexation waves emerge at the curved interfaces of layered minerals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Dino, Giovanna Antonella & Cavallo, Alessandro & Faraudello, Alessandra & Piercarlo, Rossi & Mancini, Susanna, 2021. "Raw materials supply: Kaolin and quartz from ore deposits and recycling activities. The example of the Monte Bracco area (Piedmont, Northern Italy)," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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