Immobilization of Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium (REY) by Iron (Bio)Precipitation in Acid Sulfate Waters from El Bierzo (Spain)

Abstract

: Acid sulfate waters originated from acid rock drainage (ARD), affecting the La Silva stream (El Bierzo, Spain), present anomalously high values of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY). These REY are maintained dissolved along the water stream as sulfate ions forming complexes like REYSO 4+ and REY(SO 4 ) 2 − . Negatively charged REY complexes seem to have an affinity for iron precipitates found along the La Silva stream and its tributaries since their surface is positively charged at this low pH. The presence of iron-oxidizing bacteria in iron precipitates addresses the possibility of their implication in this REY immobilization and its potential use in (bio)remediation and strategic metal industry applications.