Evaluation of rare earth elements in groundwater of Lagos and Ogun States, Southwest Nigeria

• Published in: Environmental geochemistry and health 2017-06, Vol.39 (3), p.649-664
• Main Authors: Ayedun, H., Arowolo, T. A., Gbadebo, A. M., Idowu, O. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Batteries; Boreholes; Catalysts; Ceramics; Cesium - analysis; Chemical Phenomena; Dump leaching; Earth; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Evaluation; Geochemistry; Groundwater; Groundwater - analysis; Groundwater - chemistry; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Leaching; Magnets; Mass spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Mass spectroscopy; Metals, Rare Earth - analysis; Nigeria; Original Paper; Permanent magnets; Phosphors; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Public Health; Rare earth elements; Rechargeable batteries; Soil Science & Conservation; Spectrum analysis; Terrestrial Pollution; Trace elements; Water analysis; Water samples; Water sampling; Water Wells
• ISSN: 0269-4042; 1573-2983
• DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9839-8

Rare earth elements in our environment are becoming important because of their utilization in permanent magnets, lamp phosphors, superconductors, rechargeable batteries, catalyst, ceramics and other applications. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of rare earth elements (REE) and the variability of their anomalous behavior in groundwater samples collected from Lagos and Ogun States, Southwest, Nigeria. REE concentrations were determined in 170 groundwater samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, while the physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Lagos State groundwater is enriched with REE [sum REEs range (mean ± SD)]; [0.365–488 (69.5 ± 117)] µg L −1 than Ogun State groundwater [sum REEs range (mean ± SD)]; [1.14–232 (22.6 ± 41.1)] µg L −1 . Boreholes are more enriched with REEs than wells. Significant ( P