05. July 2013, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology Soil Ecotoxicology Sediment Ecotoxicology

Ecotoxicity of rare earth elements

Rare earth elements is the common name given to 15 chemically similar periodic elements of the lanthanide family, scandium and yttrium. Actually, most rare earth elements exist in the Earth’s crust in higher concentrations than silver or mercury but there are few locations around the globe where they can be economically mined. Several of them govern mankind’s modern lifestyle, being essential ingredients of electronic, clean energy, and military technological devices. So far, the ecotoxicological properties of these metals and their potential impacts when released to the environment are little known. A new info sheet provides an actual overview.

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