Rare earth elements in poplar leaves as indicators of geological environment and technogenesis

Abstract

Background and anomalous rare earth element (RЕЕ) concentrations in poplar (Populus spp.) leaves in urban areas of Siberia, Russian Far East, and Kazakhstan were determined. Regions with the highest RЕЕ levels were identified. Ratios of light to middle RЕЕs are geochemical indicators of the impacts of oil refining and mining. Airborne dust transport by prevailing winds from ash and slag dumps of power plants and industrial sites, and alluvial terraces control the REE distribution in cities. Keywords Rare earth elements (REE). Indicator ratios. Poplar leaves. Urban areas. Geological environment. Technogenesis

Complementary Use of Magnetometric Measurements for Geochemical Investigation of Light REE Concentration in Anthropogenically Polluted Soils

“…As it was previously proposed by Yusupov et al [35], the ratios of La concentration to the concentrations of Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm were also analyzed, in order to observed if the REEs concentrations in soils could be of natural or anthropogenic origin. Corresponding ratios of EF of La to EF of Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm were also calculated and analyzed.…”