Atomic-scale structure of gadolinium in nanocrystalline fluorapatite from marine sediments.

ABSTRACT: Deep-sea sediments hold large quantities of critical rare earth-elements and yttrium (REY) sequestered in nanoparticulate biogenic fluorapatite (Ca₅(CO₃) _x (PO₄)_3-x F_1+x ). Understanding their enrichment processes and improving recovery and mineral processing methods require atomic-scale information about their chemical form, but it is difficult to obtain. Here, we use novel high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected extended X-ray absorption fine structure (HERFD-EXAFS) spectroscopy to elucidate the local structure of gadolinium (Gd) in the highly enriched REY deposit from the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone (CCFZ) in the Pacific Ocean. Our findings reveal that Gd is neither incorporated into the apa

SUBMITTER: Manceau A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12888085 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature