Assessing anthropogenic levels, speciation, and potential mobility of rare earth elements (REEs) in ex-tin mining area.
A study was carried out to determine the level of rare earth elements (REEs) in water and sediment samples from ex-mining lakes and River in Kinta Valley, Perak, Malaysia. Surface water and sediments from an ex-mining lake and Kinta River water samples were analyzed for REEs by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The total concentration of REEs in the ex-mining lake water samples and sediments were found to be 3685 mg/l and 14159 mg/kg, respectively, while the total concentration of REEs in Kinta River water sample was found to be 1224 mg/l. REEs in mining lake water were found to be within 2.42 mg/l (Tb) to 46.50 mg/l (Ce), while for the Kinta River, it was 1.33 mg/l (Ho) to 29.95 mg/l (Ce). Sediment samples were also found with REEs from 9.81 mg/kg (Ho) to 765.84 mg/kg (Ce). Ce showed the highest average concentrations for mining lake (3.88 to 49.08 mg/l) and Kinta River (4.44 to 33.15 mg/l) water samples, while the concentration of La was the highest (11.59 to 771.61 mg/kg) in the mining lake sediment. Lu was shown to have the highest enrichment of REEs in ex-mining lake sediments (107.3). Multivariate statistical analyses such as factor analysis and principal component analysis indicated that REEs were associated and controlled by mixed origin, with similar contributions from anthropogenic and geogenic sources. The speciation study of REEs in ex-tin mining sediments using a modified five-stage sequential extraction procedure indicated that yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd), and lanthanum (La) were obtained at higher percentages from the adsorbed/exchanged/carbonate fraction. The average potential mobility of the REEs was arranged in a descending order: Yb > Gd > Y = Dy > Pr > Er > Tm > Eu > Nd > Tb > Sc > Lu > Ce > La, implying that under favorable conditions, these REEs could be released and subsequently pollute the environment.
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aysha Masood
AM
Khan
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ismail
I
Yusoff
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nor Kartini Abu
NKA
Bakar
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. a_farid@um.edu.my.
Ahmad Farid Abu
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2731-5198
AFA
Bakar
Department of Chemistry and UMCiL, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yatimah
Y
Alias
D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry; D008296:Malaysia; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000032:analysis*; D008906:Mining; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014001:Tin / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014001:Tin
Chemical speciation; Ex-tin mining area; Rare earth elements
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