Probing rare earth element distributions in soils of the mineralized Singhbhum region in India using INAA.

ABSTRACT

Rare Earth Elements were measured using Instrumental neutron activation analysis in soils from the uranium mineralized Singhbhum Thrust Belt. The trend of the Rare Earth Elements was Ce > La > Nd > Sm > Yb > Eu,Tb > Lu. Light Rare Earth enrichment and Heavy Rare Earth depletion, observed using indicator ratios, showed preferential association of Light Rare Earths with clays. Geo-accumulation index <1 and Enrichment factors ranging from 0.06 to 3.54 indicate none to moderate rare earth mineralization. A positive Ce anomaly and negative Eu anomaly indicate oxidative environment and plagioclase depletion, respectively.