Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in Pahang River Sediment, Malaysia

Chang Shen  Chang; A.H. Yusoff; C.A.R. Mohamed; S.F. Liu; N.F. Shoparwe; N.A. Husain; M.N. Azlan

doi:10.31643/2024/6445.37

Authors

Chang Shen Chang Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
A.H. Yusoff Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
C.A.R. Mohamed Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
S.F. Liu Ministry of Natural Resources
N.F. Shoparwe Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
N.A. Husain Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
M.N. Azlan University Pendidikan Sultan Idris

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2024/6445.37

Keywords:

XRD analysis; Rare Earth Elements; Pahang River, Organic Matter

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REE) are a set of 17 chemically similar metallic elements including 15 lanthanides, scandium and yttrium. The current status of REE as a global strategic commodity has encouraged the identification of REE ore deposits. This research is carried out to identify the mining feasibility of fluvial sediment REE and to understand the sediment's physical and chemical characteristics and effects on the geochemical behaviour of REE in the longest river of Peninsular Malaysia namely Pahang River. Surface sediment samples were collected along Pahang River (n=44) in approximately 10 km distance intervals. The sediment samples were analyzed using XRF to determine the major oxide content. Meanwhile, REE content in the sediment samples was extracted using the Total Digestion method and analysed using ICP-MS. The results show the average value of ΣREE at surface sediments of the Pahang River is 42.58 ppm and can be considered too low to be economically mined. Each area shows higher fractionation of light REE than heavy REE with negative europium anomalies, suggesting sediments in this area were derived from felsic rocks. The concentration of REE in Pahang River surface sediments was controlled by the porosity and organic matter as showed by the correlation of ΣREE with porosity (R²=0.65) and organic matter content (R²=0.71). In conclusion, this research's findings are generally useful for further REE mineral exploration and fluvial sediment environmental monitoring.

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Author Biographies

Chang Shen Chang, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

PhD Student at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technoprenuership Centre, Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

A.H. Yusoff, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

Associate Professor at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technopreneurship Centre (GREAT), Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600, Kelantan, Malaysia.

C.A.R. Mohamed, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Professor at Marine Science Program at the Department of Earth Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

S.F. Liu, Ministry of Natural Resources

Researcher at First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao China,

N.F. Shoparwe, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

Dr, Director at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technopreneurship Centre (GREAT), Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

N.A. Husain, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

PhD Student at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technoprenuership Centre, Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

M.N. Azlan, University Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Dr, Senior Lecturer at Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

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