Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals in a Soil-Plant System at Bayan Obo Rare Earth Mine, Inner Mongolia

GAO Juan-qin; YU Yang; LI Yi-ke; LI Rui-ping; KE Chang-hui; WANG Deng-hong; YU Feng; ZHANG Sai; WANG Xue-lei

doi:10.15898/j.cnki.11-2131/td.202102210026

2021 Vol. 40, No. 6

Article Contents

Article navigation > Rock and Mineral Analysis > 2021 > 40(6): 871-882

Next Article Previous Article

GAO Juan-qin, YU Yang, LI Yi-ke, LI Rui-ping, KE Chang-hui, WANG Deng-hong, YU Feng, ZHANG Sai, WANG Xue-lei. Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals in a Soil-Plant System at Bayan Obo Rare Earth Mine, Inner Mongolia[J]. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2021, 40(6): 871-882. doi: 10.15898/j.cnki.11-2131/td.202102210026

Citation:

GAO Juan-qin, YU Yang, LI Yi-ke, LI Rui-ping, KE Chang-hui, WANG Deng-hong, YU Feng, ZHANG Sai, WANG Xue-lei. Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals in a Soil-Plant System at Bayan Obo Rare Earth Mine, Inner Mongolia[J]. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2021, 40(6): 871-882. doi: 10.15898/j.cnki.11-2131/td.202102210026

Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals in a Soil-Plant System at Bayan Obo Rare Earth Mine, Inner Mongolia

1.
School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Ministry of Natural Resources; Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
3.
Chengdu Surveying Geotechnical Research Institute Co., LTD., Metallurgical Corporation of China, Chengdu 610023, China
4.
Altay Kaiyuan Mining Co., LTD., Altay 836599, China

More Information

Corresponding author: YU Yang, yuyang_cags@sina.com

Received Date: 21 February 2021

Revised Date: 30 June 2021

Accepted Date: 28 July 2021

Publish Date: 28 November 2021

Abstract

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Rare earth resources are essential for a wide range of advanced technologies, which have received considerable attention in the world. Bayan Obo is the largest rare earth mine in the world. The study on the distribution characteristics of rare earth elements (REEs) and heavy metal elements in the environmental media such as soil and plants in the Bayan Obo mining area can provide basic data for the investigation of the environmental status of the mining area and provide reference for its environmental restoration.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the distribution characteristics of REEs and heavy metal elements in various environmental media at different areas in the Bayan Obo mine.
METHODS
Nine plant samples, six soil samples, one rock sample and one cow manure sample were collected from the Bayan Obo rare earth mine and surrounding areas. The contents of 15 rare earth elements and 8 heavy metal elements of these samples were determined by ICP-MS, which were used to study the behavior of elements and the variation rules in space.
RESULTS
The results showed that the distribution patterns of REEs in rocks, soil, plants, and cow manure samples were similar: obvious enrichment of light-REEs and depletion of high-REEs. The richest rare earth element in soil and plant was Ce, reaching 49.95% and 48.55%, respectively. The spatial variation law of the total content of rare earth element in Limonium bicolor (Bag.) Kuntze was consistent with the mineralization change of the three ore bodies: the main ore>the east ore>Dongjielegele ore. This indicated that the rare earth content of this plant was basically controlled by the minerality of the ore body, and it was more accurate to indicate the enrichment degree of rare earth in the growth environment. In addition, there was accumulation of Zn (465-778mg/kg), Cd (1.35-2.23mg/kg), Pb (181-431mg/kg) in the soil of the mining area. Some points of Cd and Pb were beyond the risk control value.
CONCLUSIONS
The ore, soil, and plant samples in Bayan Obo all show the characteristics of Ce enrichment. Moreover, the rare earth content of plants is highly correlated with the ore body where it grows. The REE content characteristics among the three media show obvious inheritance and consistency. Special attention should be paid to the mining and agricultural activities in the main mining area in Bayan Obo because of the accumulation of Zn, Cd, and Pb in these mining areas.
- Bayan Obo /
- soil-plant /
- inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry /
- rare earth elements /
- heavy metal elements /
- distribution characteristics

FullText(HTML)

References

[1]	Khan A M, Yusoff I, Bakar N, et al. Assessing anthropogenic levels, speciation, and potential mobility of rare earth elements (REEs) in ex-tin mining area[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2016, 23(24): 25039-25055. doi: 10.1007/s11356-016-7641-x CrossRef Google Scholar
[2]	Phan Q V, Dao T T, Nguyen P, et al. An assessment of natural radioactivity in the Namxe rare earth deposit, Laichau Province, Vietnam[J]. Minerals, 2019, 9(10): 602-614. doi: 10.3390/min9100602 CrossRef Google Scholar
[3]	Raju K K, Raju A N. Biogeochemical investigation in south eastern Andhra Pradesh: The distribution of rare earths, thorium and uranium in plants and soils[J]. Environmental Geology, 2000, 39(10): 1102-1106. doi: 10.1007/s002540000111 CrossRef Google Scholar
[4]	Pepi S, Sansone L, Chicca M, et al. Distribution of rare earth elements in soil and grape berries of Vitis vinifera cv. "Glera"[J]. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2016, 188(8): 1-9. Google Scholar
[5]	Khan A M, Yusoff I, Abubakar N K, et al. Accumulation, uptake and bioavailability of rare earth elements (REEs) in soil grown plants from ex-mining area in Perak, Malaysia[J]. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 2017, 15(3): 117-133. doi: 10.15666/aeer/1503_117133 CrossRef Google Scholar
[6]	张立锋, 刘杰民, 张翼明. 白云鄂博矿区土壤和植物中稀土元素的分布特征[J]. 岩矿测试, 2019, 38(5): 556-564. Google Scholar Zhang L F, Liu J M, Zhang Y M. Distribution characteristics of rare earth elements in plants and soils from the Bayan Obo mining area[J]. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2019, 38(5): 556-564. Google Scholar
[7]	罗才贵, 罗仙平, 周娜娜, 等. 南方废弃稀土矿区生态失衡状况及其成因[J]. 中国矿业, 2014, 23(10): 65-70. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-4051.2014.10.016 CrossRef Google Scholar Luo C G, Luo X P, Zhou N N, et al. Status and causes of ecological imbalance of abandoned rare-earth mine in South China[J]. China Mining Magazine, 2014, 23(10): 65-70. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-4051.2014.10.016 CrossRef Google Scholar
[8]	张塞, 于扬, 王登红, 等. 赣南离子吸附型稀土矿区土壤重金属形态分布特征及生态风险评价[J]. 岩矿测试, 2020, 39(5): 726-738. Google Scholar Zhang S, Yu Y, Wang D H, et al. Forms distribution of heavy metals and their ecological risk evaluation in soils of ion adsorption type in the rare earth mining area of southern Jiangxi, China[J]. Rock and Mineral Analysis, 2020, 39(5): 726-738. Google Scholar
[9]	陈明, 郑小俊, 陶美霞, 等. 桃江流域河流沉积物中重金属污染特征与风险评价[J]. 环境化学, 2020, 39(10): 2784-2791. doi: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2019072902 CrossRef Google Scholar Chen M, Zheng X J, Tao M X, et al. Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment from Taojiang River Basin[J]. Environmental Chemistry, 2020, 39(10): 2784-2791. doi: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2019072902 CrossRef Google Scholar
[10]	Pan Y, Li H. Investigating heavy metal pollution in mining brown-field and its policy implications: A case study of the Bayan Obo rare earth mine, Inner Mongolia, China[J]. Environmental Management, 2016, 57(4): 879-893. doi: 10.1007/s00267-016-0658-6 CrossRef Google Scholar
[11]	王哲, 赵莹晨, 骆逸飞, 等. 内蒙古白云鄂博矿区土壤稀土元素污染特征及评价[J]. 环境科学, 2021, 42(3): 1503-1513. Google Scholar Wang Z, Zhao Y C, Luo Y F, et al. Characteristics and evaluation of soil rare earth element pollution in the Bayan Obo mining region of Inner Mongolia[J]. Environmental Science, 2021, 42(3): 1503-1513. Google Scholar
[12]	陈耕. 白云鄂博主、东矿回顾性环境影响评价[D]. 呼和浩特: 内蒙古大学, 2012. Google Scholar Chen G. Retrospective environmental impact assessment of Bayan Obo main and east mine[D]. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia University, 2012. Google Scholar
[13]	郭伟, 付瑞英, 赵仁鑫, 等. 内蒙古包头白云鄂博矿区及尾矿区周围土壤稀土污染现状和分布特征[J]. 环境科学, 2013, 34(5): 1895-1900. Google Scholar Guo W, Fu R Y, Zhao R X, et al. Distribution characteristics and current situation of soil rare earth contamination in the Bayan Obo mining area and Baotou tailing reservoir in Inner Mongolia[J]. Environmental Science, 2013, 34(5): 1895-1900. Google Scholar
[14]	Ma Y H, Kuang L L, He X, et al. Effects of rare earth oxide nanoparticles on root elongation of plants[J]. Chemosphere, 2010, 78(3): 273-279. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.10.050 CrossRef Google Scholar
[15]	Garcia A, Espinosa R, Delgado L, et al. Acute toxicity of cerium oxide, titanium oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles using standardized tests[J]. Desalination, 2011, 269(1-3): 136-141. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2010.10.052 CrossRef Google Scholar
[16]	Wang L Q, Liang T. Accumulation and fractionation of rare earth elements in atmospheric particulates around a mine tailing in Baotou, China[J]. Atmospheric Environment, 2014, 23(6): 747-751. Google Scholar
[17]	Wei B G, Li Y H, Li H R, et al. Rare earth elements in human hair from a mining area of China[J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2013, 96: 118-123. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.05.031 CrossRef Google Scholar
[18]	梁青青, 阴海静, 郝金奇, 等. 白云鄂博矿区小学生尿中稀土元素镧铈钕水平的调查[J]. 环境与健康杂志, 2014, 31(11): 1003-1004. Google Scholar Liang Q Q, Yin H J, Hao J Q, et al. Investigation of rare earth elements lanthanum, cerium and neodymium level in urine of pupils from Bayan Obo mining area[J]. Journal of Environment and Health, 2014, 31(11): 1003-1004. Google Scholar
[19]	Hao Z, Li Y, Li H, et al. Levels of rare earth elements, heavy metals and uranium in a population living in Baiyun Obo, Inner Mongolia, China: A pilot study[J]. Chemosphere, 2015, 128: 161-170. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.01.057 CrossRef Google Scholar
[20]	Gafur N A, Sakakibara M, Sano S, et al. A case study of heavy metal pollution in water of Bone River by artisanal small-scale gold mine activities in eastern part of Gorontalo, Indonesia[J]. Water, 2018, doi: 10.3390/w10111507. CrossRef Google Scholar
[21]	王爱云, 李以科, 李瑞萍, 等. 内蒙古白云鄂博稀土资源开发利用生态环境影响成本分析[J]. 地球学报, 2017, 38(1): 94-100. Google Scholar Wang A Y, Li Y K, Li R P, et al. Environmental cost analysis of the development and utilization of the Bayan Obo rare earth resources, Inner Mongolia[J]. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 2017, 38(1): 94-100. Google Scholar
[22]	高志强, 周启星. 稀土矿露天开采过程的污染及对资源和生态环境的影响[J]. 生态学杂志, 2011, 30(12): 2915-2922. Google Scholar Gao Z Q, Zhou Q X. Contamination from rare earth ore strip mining and its impacts on resources and eco-environment[J]. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2011, 30(12): 2915-2922. Google Scholar
[23]	王国珍. 对稀土冶炼"三废"及放射性污染治理的建议[J]. 四川稀土, 2007(3): 2-5. Google Scholar Wang G Z. Suggestions on "three types of wastes" of rare earth smelting and radioactive pollution control[J]. Sichuan Rare Earth, 2007(3): 2-5. Google Scholar
[24]	关海波, 李金霞, 牟艳军, 等. 白云鄂博矿区外围土壤稀土元素累积空间分异[J/OL]. 稀土, 2021. https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210041. Google Scholar Guan H B, Li J X, Mu Y J, et al. Spatial heterogeneity of rare earth elements accumulation in the soil surrounding Bayan Obo mining area[J/OL]. Chinese Rare Earths, 2021. https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210041. Google Scholar
[25]	王哲, 周铜, 赵莹晨, 等. 内蒙古白云鄂博矿区优势植物重金属和稀土元素富集特征[J/OL]. 中国稀土学报: 1-13[2021-07-04]. http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2365.TG.20210615.1007.002.html. Google Scholar Wang Z, Zhou T, Zhao Y C, et al. Enrichment characteristics of heavy metals and rare earth elements in dominant plants in Bayan Obo mining area of Inner Mongolia[J/OL]. Journal of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths: 1-13[2021-07-04]. http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2365.TG.20210615.1007.002.html. Google Scholar
[26]	杨占峰, 柳建勇. 白云鄂博稀土矿床探矿的必要性与可行性探讨[J]. 稀土, 2007, 28(6): 84-87. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2007.06.020 CrossRef Google Scholar Yang Z F, Liu J Y. Necessity and feasibility of Baiyunebo rare earth deposit prospecting[J]. Chinese Rare Earths, 2007, 28(6): 84-87. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2007.06.020 CrossRef Google Scholar
[27]	柳建勇, 苏胜旺, 张台荣, 等. 白云鄂博矿床东矿段深部及白云向斜核部探矿的可行性探讨[J]. 地质论评, 2006, 52(6): 821-825. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:0371-5736.2006.06.015 CrossRef Google Scholar Liu J Y, Su S W, Zhang T R, et al. A discussion on the practicability of prospecting in the deep part of the east mine and kernel part of the Bayan syncline, Bayan Obo ore field[J]. Geological Review, 2006, 52(6): 821-825. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:0371-5736.2006.06.015 CrossRef Google Scholar
[28]	程建忠, 侯运炳, 车丽萍. 白云鄂博矿床稀土资源的合理开发及综合利用[J]. 稀土, 2007, 28(1): 70-74. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2007.01.019 CrossRef Google Scholar Cheng J Z, Hou Y B, Che L P. Making rational multipurpose use of resources of REE in Baiyunebo deposit[J]. Chinese Rare Earths, 2007, 28(1): 70-74. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2007.01.019 CrossRef Google Scholar
[29]	程建忠, 车丽萍. 中国稀土资源开采现状及发展趋势[J]. 稀土, 2010, 31(2): 65-69, 85. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2010.02.015 CrossRef Google Scholar Cheng J Z, Che L P. Current mining situation and potential development of rare earth in China[J]. Chinese Rare Earths, 2010, 31(2): 65-69, 85. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-0277.2010.02.015 CrossRef Google Scholar
[30]	柯昌辉, 孙盛, 赵永岗, 等. 内蒙古白云鄂博超大型REE-Nb-Fe矿床控矿构造特征及深部找矿方向[J]. 地质通报, 2021, 40(1): 95-109. Google Scholar Ke C H, Sun S, Zhao Y G, et al. Ore-controlling structure and deep prospecting of the Bayan Obo large-sized REE-Nb-Fe ore deposit Inner Mongolia[J]. Geological Bulletin of China, 2021, 40(1): 95-109. Google Scholar
[31]	李强, 杨占峰. 白云鄂博主矿各矿石类型稀土配分特征研究[J/OL]. 稀土: 1-9[2021-07-04]. https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210042. Google Scholar Li Q, Yang Z F. Study on REE distribution characteristics of different ore types in Baiyunobo main orebody[J/OL]. Chinese Rare Earths: 1-9[2021-07-04]. https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210042. Google Scholar
[32]	金海龙, 候少春, 魏威, 等. 白云鄂博东矿体深部不同类型矿石的地球化学特征研究[J/OL]. 稀土: 1-9[2021-07-04]. https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210033. Google Scholar Jin H L, Hou S C, Wei W, et al. Geochemistry characteristics of various types of ores at depth of east orebody in Bayan Obo[J]. Chinese Rare Earths: 1-9[2021-07-04] https://doi.org/10.16533/J.CNKI.15-1099/TF.20210033. Google Scholar
[33]	苗莉, 徐瑞松, 徐金鸿. 粤西地区土壤-植物系统中稀土元素地球化学特征[J]. 土壤学报, 2007, 44(1): 54-62. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:0564-3929.2007.01.009 CrossRef Google Scholar Miao L, Xu R S, Xu J H. Geochemical characteristics of rare earth elements (REEs) in the soil-plant system in west Guangdong Province[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2007, 44(1): 54-62. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:0564-3929.2007.01.009 CrossRef Google Scholar
[34]	汪振立, 魏正贵, 陶冶, 等. 岩石-土壤-铁芒萁系统中稀土元素的分布、迁移和累积[J]. 地质通报, 2002, 21(12): 881-889. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2552.2002.12.012 CrossRef Google Scholar Wang Z L, Wei Z G, Tao Y, et al. Distribution, migration and accumulation of rare earth elements (REE) in the rock-soil-dicranopteris dichotoma (R-S-D) system[J]. Geological Bulletin of China, 2002, 21(12): 881-889. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2552.2002.12.012 CrossRef Google Scholar
[35]	张臻悦, 何正艳, 徐志高, 等. 中国稀土矿稀土配分特征[J]. 稀土, 2016, 37(1): 121-127. Google Scholar Zhang Z Y, He Z Y, Xu Z G, et al. Rare earth partitioning characteristics of China rare earth ore[J]. Chinese Rare Earths, 2016, 37(1): 121-127. Google Scholar