Geochemistry of the rare earth elements in the sparkling groundwaters of the Caucasus ridge, Russia

Abstract

The paper presents data on the content and distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in the high pCO2 mineral waters of the Caucasus mountain-folded region. It is shown that the concentrations of REEtotal are rather high in the studied waters. However, they vary in a very wide range (from 0.46 to 50.37 µg/L). A characteristic feature of these waters is the predominance of light REE in comparison with heavy REE in them. The distinct correlation of REEtotal in the solution from the concentration of iron and aluminum in it indicates that the absolute contents of REE in the mineral waters of the region are regulated not only by pH and Eh of the solution but also by the content of these elements in it.