Study on rare-earth elements distribution in surface waters of Primorsky region

A study reveals that the background levels of rare-earth elements (REEs) in surface waters of Primorsky region, Russia, exhibit significant variability, ranging from 0.1 to 1.3 micrograms per liter. The highest REE concentrations, between 0.48 and 1.3 micrograms per liter, are found in rivers within the Eastern and Central Sikhote-Alin catchment areas, which lie within the Sikhote-Alin volcanic belt. In contrast, Western Sikhote-Alin shows the lowest REE concentration at 0.09 micrograms per liter. The distribution profile of REEs is consistent across different regions, marked by a deficiency in Cerium (Ce) and an enrichment in medium group REEs. This research provides critical insights into the geographical variation of REE levels in surface waters, which could have implications for understanding geological processes and environmental dynamics in this region.

Vakh, E. A., Vakh, A. S., Petukhov, V. I., Pavlova, G. Y., Tarasenko, I. A., & Zubtsova, A. S. (2017). Study on rare-earth elements distribution in surface waters of Primorsky region. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 87, 72005. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/87/7/072005