Lithological distribution of rare earth elements in soil and air in the Bregalnica river basin, Republic of Macedonia

摘要

The present study gives an overview of the rare earth elements (REEs) distribution in automorphic and alluvial soil (top and sub-soil samples) and moss species in the environs of Bregalnica river. There are 17 rare earth metals (REMs) or rare earth elements (REEs), comprising the elements La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc and Y. REEs possess certain unique physical and chemical properties which make them useful markers of specific geochemical reactions in soil. REEs can be accumulated in different areas of the environment, following with anthropogenic inputs because of the low mobility of these elements. The present investigation gives the data summary for characterization of the REEs distribution in soils and moss species in the Bregalnica river basin in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The geochemical interaction of these elements plays an important role in the lithological distribution of mineral elements. The element contents were determined using inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The content of the light rare earth elements (LREEs) in soil from the investigated area ranges from 8.6 to 225 mg kg–1, while the content of the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) ranges from 0.92 to 33.7 mg kg–1. The distribution of the LREEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu and Gd) is predominantly related to the Quaternary terraces and the Paleogene flysch. The anthropogenic activities that occur in the Pb-Zn surroundings and the Cu mineralization in the investigated area significantly influence the lithological distribution of this geochemical association of elements. On the other hand, the distribution of the HREEs (Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Th, Yb and Lu) presents a typical geochemical association in the area of the Bregalnica river basin.