The behavior pattern of REEs in different sedimentary systems in the Dar-e-Allo copper mine: Application for environmental studies

The geochemical separation pattern and environmental behavior of rare earth elements (ΣREE) have been investigated in 5 different sedimentary systems related to the Dar-e-Allo copper mine. For this purpose, the total concentration and sequential patterns of ΣREE elements were determined using multi-acid digestion and mBCR (Modified Community Bureau of Reference, European Commission) selective extraction method. The normalization patterns of the total concentration of ΣREE are drawn based on the average North American Shale Composition (NASC) and Upper Continental Crust (UCC). General trends of concentration changes in the five sedimentary systems are very similar to each other, and the concentration of LREEs is higher than that HREEs, just a sample taken from under the rock dump that contains sulfide-leached elements shows a pattern different from other samples and standard patterns. Opposite of the changes in the concentration of ΣREEs, more enrichment is seen in HREEs compared to LREEs. This pattern of enrichment changes is consistent with the higher tendency of HREEs than LREEs for mobility during weathering and oxidation. The geochemical separation patterns of ΣREEs in natural sediment and samples containing iron and manganese oxides are mainly dominated by the residual fraction. Surprisingly, considering the different conditions of formation and stability in the samples taken from the waterways leading to the mine, evaporite deposits and sediments washed from the rock dump, the separation pattern of ΣREEs is controlled mainly with two parts soluble in Acid and reducible fraction. According to the enrichment trends, the trend of mobility and bioavailability from LREEs to HREEs increases with an upward slope. These results show that speciation, geochemical separation pattern and environmental behavior for ΣREEs without considering key environmental factors lead to a lack of understanding or even misinterpretation. The results of this study can be used as a reference in organizing the mine development and environmental planning of the Dar-e-Allo copper mine.