Distribution of rare earth elements in soils of contrasting geological and pedological settings to support human health assessment and environmental policies

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Landim, J. S. P., Da Silva, Y. J. A. B., Do Nascimento, C. W. A., Da Silva, Y. J. A. B., Nascimento, R. C., Boechat, C. L., Silva, C. M. C. A. C., De Olinda, R.A., Barbosa, R. S., Dos Santos Silva, T., Biondi, C. M. and Collins, A. L. 2021. Distribution of rare earth elements in soils of contrasting geological and pedological settings to support human health assessment and environmental policies. Environmental Geochemistry And Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00993-0

AuthorsLandim, J. S. P., Da Silva, Y. J. A. B., Do Nascimento, C. W. A., Da Silva, Y. J. A. B., Nascimento, R. C., Boechat, C. L., Silva, C. M. C. A. C., De Olinda, R.A., Barbosa, R. S., Dos Santos Silva, T., Biondi, C. M. and Collins, A. L.
Abstract

Establishing quality reference values (QRVs) for rare earth elements (REEs) in soils is essential for the screening of these emergent contaminants. Currently, Brazil has the second-largest reserve of REEs, but data regarding background concentrations and distributions in soils remain scarce. The aim of this study was to establish the QRVs and assess the spatial distribution of REEs in soils, including REE fractionations and anomalies in (Piauí) state (251,529.186 km2), northeastern Brazil. This study reports the most detailed data on REE geochemistry in Brazilian soils. A total of 243 composite soil samples was collected at 0–20 cm depth. The mean background concentrations in soils followed the abundance of the earth’s upper crust: Ce > La > Nd > Pr > Sm > Dy > Gd > Er > Yb > Eu > Tb > Lu. The ∑REEs (mg kg−1) showed the following order based on the individual mesoregions of Piauí state: Southeast (262.75) > North and Central-North (89.68) > Southwest (40.33). The highest QRVs were observed in the Southeast mesoregion. The establishment of QRVs based on the mesoregion scale improves data representativeness and the monitoring of natural REE values by identifying hot spots. Geostatistical modeling indicated significant local variability, especially in the Southeast mesoregion. The levels of these elements in this spatial zone are naturally higher than the other values across Piauí state and the mesoregion itself and indicate a high potential to exceed the QRVs. Our approach provides much needed data to help strengthen policies for both human health and environmental protection.

KeywordsREE geochemistry; Soil quality; Environmental monitoring; Lanthanides; Spatial variability; Kriging
Year of Publication2021
JournalEnvironmental Geochemistry And Health
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00993-0
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00993-0
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES)
Funder project or codeS2N - Soil to Nutrition - Work package 3 (WP3) - Sustainable intensification - optimisation at multiple scales
Brazilian National Research and Development Council—CNPq
Brazilian National Research and Development Council—CNPq research productivity scholarships
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online10 Jun 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted28 May 2021
PublisherSpringer
ISSN0269-4042

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