Water, sediment and agricultural soil contamination from an ion-adsorption rare earth mining area

Due to their specific properties, ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites may be a threat for adjacent environments. This work was undertaken to assess whether former mining operations on ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites have a significant impact on water bodies and soils of the surrounding environments. Tailing soil materials, stream waters and sediments, and farmland soils were collected from one of the largest ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites worldwide (Southern China). Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), Fe, Al, etc., and pH were measured. Results revealed high concentrations of REEs in tailing soils (392 mg kg^-1), stream waters (4460 μg L^-1), sediments (462 mg kg^-1) and farmland soils (928 mg kg^-1) in comparison with control sites. In the tailing profiles, light REEs (LREEs) were preferentially leached compared to middle REEs (MREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs). Anomalies in tailings and stream water indicated strong soil weathering (Eu) and leaching activities (Ce) within the tailings. The MREE enriched pattern in stream water was more related to water parameters such as Al and Fe oxides, and ligands, than to the source of REEs. Anomalies also indicated that REEs contamination in the farmland soils was mainly originated from the stream water contaminated by the leaching from the tailings. In conclusion, a heavy REEs pollution was recorded in the surrounding environment of ion-adsorption rare earth mine. REEs fractionation, Ce and Eu anomalies provided an insight to the understanding of REEs leaching and soil weathering processes, and REEs environmental fate in rare earth mining area.