Distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) and their roles in plant growth: A review

The increasing use of rare earth elements (REEs) in various industries has led to a rise in discharge points, thus increasing discharge rates, circulation, and human exposure. Therefore, REEs have received widespread attention as important emerging pollutants. This article thus summarizes and discusses the distribution and occurrence of REEs in the world's soil and water, and briefly introduces current REEs content analysis technology for the examination of different types of samples. Specifically, this review focuses on the impact of REEs on plants, including the distribution and fractionation of REEs in plants and their bioavailability, the effect of REEs on seed germination and growth, the role of REEs in plant resistance, the physiological and biochemical responses of plants in the presence of REEs, including mineral absorption and photosynthesis, as well as a description of the substitution mechanism of REEs competing for Ca in plant cells. Additionally, this article summarizes the potential mechanisms of REEs to activate endocytosis in plants and provides some insights into the mechanisms by which REEs affect endocytosis from a cell and molecular biology perspective. Finally, this article discusses future research prospects and summarizes current scientific findings that could serve as a basis for the development of more sustainable rare earth resource utilization strategies and the assessment of REEs in the environment.