Sources of rare earth elements and yttrium in the early Cambrian phosphorites in Zhijin, southwest China

Wu, Shengwei; Fan, Haifeng; Xia, Yujie; Meng, Qing-Tian; Gong, Xingxiang; He, Shan; Liu, Xiqiang; Yang, Haiying; Wen, Hao

doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.105146

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…China's central role in the rare earths market is also due to its geological particularities, as it hosts the world's biggest reserve of REEs. Its ionic clay deposit is enriched in HREE, and its economic exploitation is economically viable due to low-cost in-situ and heap-leaching [55]. The country capitalized on this deposit to become a leader in HREEs extraction and processing.…”

Section: The Central Role Of Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role and Challenges of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Depraiter,

Goutte

2023

SSRN Journal

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Section: The Central Role Of Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role and Challenges of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Depraiter,

Goutte

2023

SSRN Journal

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“…Previous studies have primarily focused on analyzing single minerals and whole-rock powder using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and chemical beneficiation methods. These studies suggest that REEs predominantly exist in the form of isomorphic substitutions within the apatite lattice [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Additionally, REEs can also be adsorbed onto mineral surfaces, forming ion-adsorbed REEs [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microdistribution and Mode of Rare Earth Element Occurrence in the Zhijin Rare Earth Element-Bearing Phosphate Deposit, Guizhou, China

Xiong,

Xie,

Wang

et al. 2024

Minerals

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Rare-earth elements (REEs) are often highly concentrated in sedimentary phosphate deposits, and the microdistribution characteristics and occurrence state of rare earth in these deposits play a crucial role in the overall development and utilization of mineral resources. This study aims to analyze the microdistribution of REEs in REE-bearing phosphate deposits in the Zhijin region of Guizhou at the microstructural level and investigate their occurrence modes. Specifically, rock and mineral identification, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were utilized to analyze the samples. The correlation between the distribution of REEs and phosphorus was examined. In addition, the microdistribution of REEs in specific mineral phases and the locations of their occurrence were investigated. The analysis revealed that no REEs existed independently in the deposit. Instead, the distribution of REEs was highly consistent and significantly positively correlated with that of phosphorus. In the microarea structure, REEs were predominantly found both in particles, such as bioclasts, sand debris, and agglomerates, and in phosphate cement, where the main mineral components were collophane and apatite. Conversely, the content of REEs in dolomitized sand debris edges, sparry dolomitic cement, and siliceous cement was considerably lower. Based on these findings, it is speculated that REEs primarily occur within the lattice defects of apatite or on the surface of collophanite. There is a notable contrast in the REE content between the unaltered sand debris at the periphery and the dolomitized sand debris, indicating that the dolomitization in the diagenetic stage resulted in a depletion of REE abundance in the ore. Obviously, the dominant gangue mineral, dolomite, does not serve as the primary host for REEs. Furthermore, the highest concentration of REEs was inside organisms. This finding suggests that the high content of REEs in biological soft tissue may remain under the influence of waves and tides, and REE-bearing apatite may be preferentially separated and fill the cavities of deceased organisms. The second highest content of REEs was found in the shells of organisms, indicating that small shelly organisms absorb phosphorus materials through their life activities to construct their shells, resulting in REE enrichment. Quantitative analysis through sequential extraction procedures displayed that most REEs were present in the residual state, with a smaller portion combined with organic matter. These results confirm that REEs in the Zhijin phosphate deposits primarily exist as isomorphic substitutions in the lattice defects of apatite, with a secondary occurrence as organic matter-bound REEs.

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“…Rare earth elements (REEs) include the 4f‐block lanthanide series (atomic number 57–70) and three d‐block elements: lutetium, scandium and yttrium (Cheisson & Schelter, 2019 ). With broad applications in electronic components, catalysts, lasers, glass, medicine and permanent magnets, REEs are becoming increasingly important to the global economy, with global production of REEs growing from 100,000 metric tonnes in 2015 to 300,000 metric tonnes in 2022 (Liu et al., 2023 ). The growth in this market is in part due to the need for permanent magnets in the clean energy technologies needed to achieve the UN goals on decarbonization (e.g., electric motors and generators).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rare earth elements in biology: From biochemical curiosity to solutions for extractive industries

Rocha,

Alexandrov,

Scott

2024

Microbial Biotechnology

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Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for our modern lifestyles and the transition to a low‐carbon economy. Recent advances in our understanding of the role of REEs in biology, particularly methylotrophy, have provided opportunities to explore biotechnological innovations to improve REE mining and recycling. In addition to bacterial accumulation and concentration of REEs, biological REE binders, including proteins (lanmodulin, lanpepsy) and small molecules (metallophores and cofactors) have been identified that enable REE concentration and separation. REE‐binding proteins have also been used in several mechanistically distinct REE biosensors, which have potential application in mining and medicine. Notably, the role of REEs in biology has only been known for a decade, suggesting their considerable scope for developing new understanding and novel applications.

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Sources of rare earth elements and yttrium in the early Cambrian phosphorites in Zhijin, southwest China

Cited by 9 publications

References 110 publications

The Role and Challenges of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

The Role and Challenges of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Microdistribution and Mode of Rare Earth Element Occurrence in the Zhijin Rare Earth Element-Bearing Phosphate Deposit, Guizhou, China

Rare earth elements in biology: From biochemical curiosity to solutions for extractive industries

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