Geochemical Partitioning and Correlation of Rare Earth Elements, Thorium, and Uranium in Ion-Adsorption Clays from the Gemang Area, West Kelantan, Malaysia

S.C. Chang; N.A. Fendy; N.F. Shoparwe; A.H. Yusoff

doi:10.31643/2028/6445.25

Authors

S.C. Chang Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
N.A. Fendy Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
N.F. Shoparwe Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
A.H. Yusoff Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2028/6445.25

Keywords:

rare earth elements, thorium, uranium, sequential extraction, Ion-adsorption clay, west Kelantan, correlation analysis.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the geochemical partitioning of total rare earth elements (ΣREE), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) in ion-adsorption clays (IACs) from the Gemang area, West Kelantan, Malaysia, and to evaluate how this partitioning may influence selective REE recovery with limited radionuclide mobilisation. An eight-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to representative saprolitic IAC samples, and the extracted fractions were analysed by ICP-OES. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were further used to examine associations among ΣREE, Th, U, and selected major elements. The sequential extraction results showed that ΣREE were concentrated mainly in the ion-exchangeable fraction (average 22.0%), with additional contributions from the residual fraction (15.3%) and a notably high proportion in the primary sulphide step (53.4%). In contrast, Th and U were concentrated mainly in the primary sulphide fraction (54.4% and 41.3%, respectively) and the residual fraction (26.2% and 45.0%, respectively). Major elements such as Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Na showed distributions consistent with clay, oxide, and refractory mineral hosts. Statistical analysis indicated a positive association between ΣREE and Ca-Na, whereas Th and U were more closely associated with Fe-Mn-bearing fractions, indicating different host controls and different mobilisation behaviour. These results suggest that a recoverable REE pool is present in the exchangeable fraction, while most Th and U remain in less labile phases under the tested operational scheme. The study therefore provides geochemical evidence that mild ammonium-salt leaching may favour selective REE recovery from Gemang IACs while limiting the release of naturally occurring radioactive materials, although further mineralogical validation and dynamic leaching tests are still required.

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Author Biographies

S.C. Chang, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

PhD Student at the Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, and graduate research assistant at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technopreneurship Centre, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

N.A. Fendy, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

Graduate research assistant at Gold, Rare Earth and Material Technopreneurship Centre, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

N.F. Shoparwe, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

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

A.H. Yusoff, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

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

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