A team of scientists in China has made a groundbreaking discovery: the fern species Blechnum orientale can naturally crystallize rare earth elements (REEs) within its tissues. This finding, documented in a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, could offer a more sustainable alternative to the destructive mining practices traditionally used to extract these valuable materials.
Rare earth elements are critical in the production of numerous technological products, including electric vehicles, smartphones, and wind turbines. Currently, these elements are extracted through mining, which can lead to significant environmental degradation, including soil erosion and water contamination. The new research suggests that Blechnum orientale can aid in the accumulation of REEs without the extensive damage typically associated with conventional extraction methods.
Understanding the Discovery
Led by geochemist Liuqing He from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research reveals that this fern can mineralize REEs, producing the mineral monazite under normal environmental conditions. This is particularly noteworthy because monazite has previously only been found in high-temperature and high-pressure geological settings.
The team utilized advanced microscopic imaging and chemical analysis to explore the fern’s capabilities. The results indicate that the fern can absorb heavy metals and produce nano-sized particles of monazite, which is an important source of rare earth elements. He emphasized the significance of this finding, stating, “This fern can facilitate REE mineralization… now, here is monazite growing under Earth surface conditions.”
Implications for Future Mining Practices
The discovery opens the door to a process known as phytomining, which utilizes hyperaccumulator plants to extract metals from soil. This innovative approach could drastically reduce the reliance on traditional mining, which is dominated by countries like China, which controls approximately 70% of global rare earth mining and processing capacity.
While Blechnum orientale is not yet producing REEs in large quantities, the research highlights a potential shift in how these valuable elements can be sourced. The scientists plan to investigate whether other plant species can also self-organize REEs from their environment and to develop methods for efficiently extracting and processing the monazite produced by the fern.
As the global demand for rare earth elements continues to rise, particularly for their use in electric vehicles—where neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium are essential for motor magnets—the implications of this research could be far-reaching. By offering a more environmentally friendly method for REE extraction, this discovery may significantly impact the future landscape of rare earth mining.
In conclusion, the work of Liuqing He and his team not only reveals an alternative pathway for obtaining rare earth elements but also underscores the unique role plants can play in mineralization processes, potentially revolutionizing the way these essential materials are sourced.