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Author: Wise, Paige × End date: 2023 × Start date: 2020 × search.filters.applied.f.isOrgUnitOfPublicationTitle: College of Sciences × search.filters.applied.f.isOrgUnitOfPublicationTitle: School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences × search.filters.applied.f.isSeriesOfPublicationTitle: Undergraduate Research Option Theses × Type: Text ×

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Sorption of Rare Earth Elements onto Kaolinite

2022-05 , Wise, Paige

Rare earth elements (REEs), defined as yttrium (Y), scandium (Sc), and the 15 lanthanides, have become prominent areas of focus in the geochemistry field. REEs are used in many alternative energy technologies and as geochemical tracers that assist in understanding geochemical processes in aqueous settings. The biogeochemical transport of REEs is dependent on factors such as concentration, pH, ionic strength, and the presence of sorbents and due to their trivalent charge, can undergo adsorption to negatively charged mineral surfaces. The sorption process is greatly affected by the sudden change in pH and salinity during the transportation of REEs from freshwater to seawater[1]. In this study, the behavior of REE adsorption and desorption on clay minerals was investigated under varied solution chemistry, to simulate the mobilization of REE from freshwater sources to seawater and to understand the behavior of REE desorption when introduced to ocean conditions. The phyllosilicate, clay mineral kaolinite was employed as our representative sorbent due to its large surface area and negatively charged surface which allows for adsorption to occur[2] Understanding and quantifying the sorption of REE on clay in different pH conditions implies the adsorbent contribution to the dissolved REE budget. Batch experiments were conducted to model the sorption of REE to kaolinite and the mineral adsorbent was introduced into simulated freshwater with a pH of 6. After 24-hour reaction, REE-bearing mineral were rinsed and resuspended in artificial seawater at pH 8. Suspension samples were taken at different time points during the experiments to monitor the rate of desorption once introduced to simulate seawater. At the end of reaction, the solid and final aqueous sample were collected and analyzed for REE concentration using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and plotted as isotherms.

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