Krupnova and two co-authors reported in early 2024 that the reesearch on rare-earth elements (REEs) in urban soils of Russian industrial cities is extremely limited. This study investigated the potential sources and human health risks of REEs contained in the topsoils of the industrial Russian city of Chelyabinsk. The study also takes into account natural sources of REE as the city is located on the border of granites (Urals) and sedimentary rocks (Western Siberia).
The authors analyzed the concentration and distribution of REEs in the soils of four types of locations: residential courtyards, city parks, roadsides, and industrial locations. The total REE concentrations ranged from 44 to 255 mg/kg, with average concentrations of 140, 124, 113 and 89 mg/kg in the
courtyards, roadsides, industrial location and city parks, respectively. The REE content in courtyard soils could be influenced by poor cleaning of fallen leaves. The ratios of light REE (LREE) to heavy REE (HREE) ranged from 9.5 to 10.1, revealing an obvious fractionation between them. The fractionation of LREE and HREE, and the REE/ES (European Shale) pattern showed that REE accumulation in Chelyabinsk soils has been disturbed by human activities. It was shown that the dust from industrial emissions was the main anthropogenic source of REE accumulation in urban soil.
The largest amounts of REEs are emitted from an electrometallurgical plant and zinc production plant. Fortunately, the estimated daily intakes of REE from soils by children and adults were well below the safety thresholds. At the same time, in order to prevent social tension and reduce the anthropogenic load on the urban area, it is recommended to use phytoremediation technologies, smart landscaping of industrial and residential areas, more thorough cleaning of fallen leaves and road dust. It is also recommended to move the most dangerous production processes well outside the urban area.
The authors concluded that there is probable exposure risk in children and adults. The high concentrations of REEs were mainly distributed in the south of Chelyabinsk. Geochemical characteristics indicated an obvious fractionation of LREE and HREE, and the REE/ES pattern showed that REE accumulation in Chelyabinsk soils has been disturbed by human activities. It was shown that the dust from ....many sources, [including asteroid dust?].
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
