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School of Engineering and Science - Jacobs University

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100<br />

MCO + 3 + M(CO 3 )- 2<br />

rare earth element<br />

% total<br />

80<br />

60<br />

40<br />

20<br />

MCO + 3<br />

M(CO 3<br />

) - 2<br />

M 3+<br />

0<br />

La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu<br />

Figure 7. Speciation <strong>of</strong> the lanthanides in seawater at 25° C <strong>and</strong> 1 atmosphere pressure with 35.1 ‰<br />

salinity <strong>and</strong> a total carbonate ion concentration [CO 3 2- ] <strong>of</strong> 1.39 x 10 -4 moles/kg. Figure adapted from<br />

Cantrell <strong>and</strong> Byrne (1987), <strong>and</strong> M refers to individual lanthanide elements. Hydroxide, chloride, fluoride,<br />

<strong>and</strong> sulfate REE complexes are not shown, as these are minor chemical species affecting REE behavior<br />

in seawater (Cantrell <strong>and</strong> Byrne, 1987).<br />

The carbonate anions binding to dissolved REY in seawater form either M(CO 3 ) +<br />

or M(CO 3 ) 2<br />

-<br />

complexes, where M refers to the individual element. Monocarbonate<br />

M(CO 3 ) +<br />

complexes are more prevalent for light rare earth elements (LREE), <strong>and</strong><br />

dicarbonate M(CO 3 ) - 2 complexes more so for heavy rare earth elements (HREE), with<br />

the relative proportions <strong>of</strong> these carbonate complexes roughly equal for middle rare<br />

earth elements (MREE) such as Gd <strong>and</strong> Tb. The calculated carbonate complexation<br />

constants are relatively unaffected by changes in temperature (Cantrell <strong>and</strong> Byrne,<br />

1987), <strong>and</strong> it is surmised that the relative lanthanide distributions between mono- <strong>and</strong><br />

dicarbonate complexes remains constant throughout the marine water column<br />

(Brookins, 1989).<br />

The solution complexation behavior <strong>of</strong> the REY strongly affects the process that<br />

controls the distribution <strong>of</strong> these elements in seawater, which is scavenging by<br />

particulate matter. The REY are readily adsorbed onto particle surfaces in natural<br />

14

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