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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Oxidation state and accumulation of uranium in hydrothermal REE minerals
Journal of hazardous materials, Vol.500, 140549
2025
PMID: 41289669
Abstract
To meet growing demand for renewable technologies that will mitigate climate change, the world requires a sustainable supply of rare earth elements (REEs). Uranium (U) is a common impurity in REE ores that causes socio-environmental challenges during mining and processing. Sustainable REE extraction thus relies on targeting ores with little U, which necessitates an understanding of the conditions under which U accumulates in REE minerals. Here we show that rhabdophane and monazite – two common hydrothermal REE ore minerals – can incorporate U in its oxidised U(V) and U(VI) forms. Contrary to current understanding, this demonstrates that reducing conditions are not required for U to accumulate in hydrothermal REE minerals. Rather, the higher availabilities of U in oxidising and/or Ce-poor fluids can also drive significant accumulation. Four redox scenarios are consequently theorized for predicting the capacity of aqueous-fluid-affected REE ores for accumulating U. This framework may assist in evaluating the environmental sustainability of various REE deposits, thereby guiding decisions on exploration and extraction. Results also confirm the capacity of both minerals to immobilise fluid-soluble U(VI) during formation, with implications for their application as mineral barriers in U-contaminated systems.
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Details
- Title
- Oxidation state and accumulation of uranium in hydrothermal REE minerals
- Authors/Creators
- Tobias G. Bamforth - Murdoch UniversityBarbara Etschmann - Monash UniversityJoël Brugger - Monash UniversityFang Xia - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and WasteUdo Becker - University of MichiganIgnacio González-Álvarez - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Kensington, Western Australia 6151, AustraliaMaryam O. Abdus-Salam - Monash UniversityPaul Guagliardo - The University of Western AustraliaAndrew Langendam - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology OrganisationJeremy Wykes - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
- Publication Details
- Journal of hazardous materials, Vol.500, 140549
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005831947007891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute; School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics; Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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