Importance of the Spatial Distribution of Rare Earth Elements in the Bottom Sediments of Reservoirs as a Potential Proxy for Tracing Sediments Sources. A Case Study in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

The geochemical composition of rare earth elements (REE) in the bottom sediments of two Dominican reservoirs and in soils from their catchments was studied to identify possible sources of the deposited materials. Knowledge of the origin of the sediments will serve to control the excessive rates of erosion and sedimentation that occur annually due to periodic extreme climatic events that promote excessive silting of the lakes, followed by loss of storage capacity and degradation of water quality. The REE contents of sediments and soils were normalized to the North American Shale Composite (NASC) and the ratio of light/heavy rare earths (LREE/HREE ratio), Ce and Eu anomalies, and some fractionation parameters were determined. The REE patterns are more homogeneous in the sediments, indicating uniform sedimentation in both deposits. The sediment data reflect depletion of REE from the sources, enrichment of light REE (LREE) and some middle REE (MREE), and positive Eu and Ce anomalies. All data were plotted in correlation diagrams between some fractionation parameters of light–middle–heavy REE and anomalies of Ce and Eu. The similarity of the ratios between these parameters in all samples and the overlap of data from soils and rocks on the sediment projection in the diagrams allowed a good discrimination of the main sources of the materials.

Composition of Rare Earth Elements in Fluvial Sediments of the Lesser Zab River Basin, Northeastern Iraq: Implications for Tectonic Setting and Provenance

“…The fractionation parameters between LREE and HREE concentrations were quantified by correlating between the (La/Lu) UCC , (Gd/Lu) UCC , (La/Yb) UCC , (Gd/Yb) UCC, and (La/Sm) UCC with the subscript UCC denoting normalized concentration. The ratios of (La/Lu) UCC , and (La/Yb) UCC indicate the enrichment of LREEs relative to the HREEs, the ratio of (La/Sm) UCC refers to the fractionation of the LREE, and the ratios of the (Gd/Yb) UCC and (Gd/Lu) UCC refer to the fractionation of the HREEs [47,48].…”

Improving dielectric properties, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties of biodegradable polymer composites prepared with lanthanum

“…They are classified as light, medium, and heavy rare earth elements. [3,4] Materials containing REEs are lightweight materials with stable, high heat and corrosion resistant properties.…”

“…They are classified as light, medium, and heavy rare earth elements. [ 3,4 ] Materials containing REEs are lightweight materials with stable, high heat and corrosion resistant properties. Computers, hybrid vehicles, rechargeable batteries, mobile phones, flat television screens, wind turbines, medical imaging devices, radar systems, metal alloys, aircraft engines, ceramics, glass, etc.…”