Recovering rare earth elements from contaminated soils: Critical overview of current remediation technologies

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential for sustainable energies such as solar and wind power, with rising demand due to the ambitious goal a circular society. REE currently mined from virgin ores while REE-rich contaminated soil is left untreated in environment. Soil remediation strategies needed that concomitantly cleanup harvest metals contribute process economy. In this review we aim (i) define concentrations soils well (ii) identify techniques used remediating soils, emphasizing ones extract REE. Current literature lists polluted vicinities of mines, coal high traffic roads agricultural (due association phosphate fertilizers). We first list conventional separation methods mining industry their main extracting/precipitating Solvent extraction most commonly method followed by electrodeposition at temperatures. then highlight treat These can be separated into two types: (a) stabilize (b) soils. Bioremediation, amendments others offer stabilization REE, eventually creating legacy problem since keep accumulating soil. achieve step closer resource recovery, contributing circularity Techniques phytoremediation, washing electrokinetic treatment show promising results.