A team of scientists in China has made a groundbreaking discovery: the common fern species Blechnum orientale can naturally crystallize rare earth elements (REEs) within its tissues. This finding could significantly change the way these crucial materials are sourced, which are critical for the production of technologies such as electric vehicles, smartphones, and wind turbines.
Traditional methods of extracting REEs require destructive mining practices, often leading to significant environmental degradation. The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology earlier this month, highlights how B. orientale can facilitate the mineralization of REEs under normal conditions, which is a stark contrast to their typical formation in igneous rocks.
Understanding the Discovery
Led by geochemist Liuqing He from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research reveals that this fern acts as a hyperaccumulator. This means it can thrive in soil with high levels of heavy metals, which would typically be toxic to other plants. He explained that this fern has the unique ability to produce the mineral monazite, a significant source of REEs, in conditions similar to those found on the Earth’s surface.
Monazite, known for its role in the extraction of REEs, typically forms in geological environments that involve high temperatures and pressures. He emphasized, “Now, here is monazite growing under Earth surface conditions.” This finding opens the door to potential applications in phytomining, a process that utilizes hyperaccumulator plants to extract metals from the soil.
Potential Implications for the REE Supply Chain
The implications of this discovery could be substantial, particularly given China’s current dominance in the REE market. The country controls approximately 70% of global rare earth mining and a larger share of processing capacity. With the global demand for REEs increasing, particularly in the production of electric vehicles, this research could provide a new avenue for sourcing these materials while minimizing environmental harm.
In electric vehicles, key REEs such as neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium are used in the powerful magnets that drive the motors. These materials are also essential components in smartphones, appearing in displays, speakers, and camera lenses. While the study indicates that B. orientale is not yet producing REEs in large quantities, it underscores the potential of phytomining as a sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods.
The researchers intend to explore whether other species possess similar capabilities and to develop methods for efficiently extracting monazite from the fern without significant loss of the resource. As He noted, “This discovery reveals an alternative pathway for monazite mineralization under remarkably mild conditions and highlights the unique role of plants in initiating such processes.”
The ongoing exploration of this fern’s capabilities could pave the way for more environmentally friendly practices in the extraction of rare earth elements, addressing the growing global need for these critical materials. As the world continues to seek sustainable solutions for resource management, the role of plants like B. orientale may become increasingly significant.
