Organic species of lanthanum in natural environments: Implications to mobility of rare earth elements in low temperature environments

Naturally occurring organic ligands, such as acetate, citrate, malonate, oxalate, and succinate, play important roles in mobility and accumulation of La and other rare earth elements in low temperature systems under Earth surface conditions. However, a comprehensive and consistent thermodynamic database covering the complexes of rare earth elements with those naturally occurring organic ligands is lacking. In this study, thermodynamic data of organic species of rare earth elements (REE) represented by La, with an emphasis on their aqueous complexes with organic ligands, are critically reviewed. The organic ligands covered by this study include acetate, citrate, malonate, oxalate and succinate. In this critical review, the Specific Interaction Theory (SIT) model is adopted for extrapolation to infinite dilution. This model is a reliable activity coefficient model valid for a wide range of ionic strengths. These critically reviewed data, including complex formation constants, SIT interaction coefficients and solubility product constants, would enable accurate modeling of the speciation and solubility of REE in various environments including high ionic strength environments, providing insight into mobility and enrichment of REE in various environments.

► log βn of REE complexes with naturally occurring organic ligands are critically reviewed. ► Formation constants of REE–organic complexes at infinite dilution, 25 °C and 1 bar are recommended. ► The dataset covers complexes of La to Lu with acetate, citrate, malonate, oxalate, and succinate. ► Solubility constants of La- to Gd-oxalate are evaluated from studies in HCl and H2SO4 media. ► Solubility product constants of La-, Ce-, Pr-, Nd-, Sm-, and Gd-oxalates are recommended.