Gobal Advanced Research Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology (GARJEST) ISSN: 2315-5140
August 2012 Vol. 1(5), pp. 097-109
Copyright © 2012 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The distribution of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in surficial lake sediments before and after tailings dam failure (FYR Macedonia)

Petra Vrhovnik^1*, Nastja Rogan Šmuc¹, Tadej Dolenec¹, Todor Serafimovski² and Matej Dolenec¹

¹Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Department of Geology, Aškerčeva cesta 12,1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
²Faculty of Mining, Geology and Polytechnics, University “Goce Delčev–Štip”, Goce Delčev 89, 2000 Štip, Macedonia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: petra.vrhovnik@ntf.uni-lj.si, petra.vrhovnik@gmail.com; Tel: 0038614704620, Fax: +38614704560

Accepted 20 July, 2012

Abstract

The concentration and distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in the surficial lake sediments of Lake Kalimanci were studied in an attempt to establish the reasons for their enrichment. Results indicate that REE are tightly related to the catchment geology. Possible anthropogenic effects were evaluated by employing an enrichment factor, which revealed that the surficial sediments from Lake Kalimanci have a natural origin with a minor enrichment of the defined REE. Sequential extraction analysis revealed that REE in the surficial sediments of Lake Kalimanci are predominantly bounded to the exchangeable fraction and therefore highly bio available for living organisms.

Keywords: REE, Surficial lake sediment, Enrichment factor, Sequential extraction procedure