An experimental study on using rare earth elements to trace phosphorous losses from nonpoint sources

Lingqing Wang; Tao Liang; Peter J A Kleinman; Hongying Cao

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.038

An experimental study on using rare earth elements to trace phosphorous losses from nonpoint sources

Chemosphere. 2011 Oct;85(6):1075-9. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.038. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

Authors

Lingqing Wang¹, Tao Liang, Peter J A Kleinman, Hongying Cao

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.

PMID: 21871648
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.038

Abstract

Controlling phosphorous (P) inputs through management of its sources and transport is critical for limiting freshwater eutrophication. In this study, characteristics of exogenous rare earth elements (REEs) and P and their losses with surface runoff (both in the water and sediments) during simulated rainfall experiments (83 mm h⁻¹) were investigated. The results revealed that on average most REEs (La, 94%; Nd, 93%; Sm, 96%) and P (96%) transported with sediments in the runoff. The total amounts of losses of REEs and P in the runoff were significantly correlated, suggesting the possibility of using REEs to trace the fate of agricultural nonpoint P losses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Agriculture
Environmental Pollutants / chemistry*
Feasibility Studies
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
Laboratories
Metals, Rare Earth / chemistry*
Phosphorus / chemistry*
Solubility
Water / chemistry

Substances

Environmental Pollutants
Metals, Rare Earth
Water
Phosphorus