Geochemical characterization of rare earth elements in sediment profiles from the Oualida lagoon (Morocco)

Abstract

The present work assesses the temporal distribution pattern and geochemical changes of rare earth elements and Yttrium, Scandium, Thorium, and Uranium delivery into the Oualidia lagoon. Two sediment cores were retrieved from the Oualidia lagoon and analyzed using neutron activation analysis. The results indicated that heavy rare earth elements are slightly enriched the sediment cores over light rare earth elements. The highest values of REEs were recorded in the top layers of the cores and depleted with depth, suggesting a possible change in factors controlling their accumulation, including mechanical, chemical, and environmental parameters such as weathering intensity, grain size, and Fe-Mn oxides. The sediments display positive Ce anomalies, which are probably related to the submarine weathering process and detrital input. Noting also the variation of hydrodynamics conditions and confinement of the upstream part of the lagoon played a key role in changing the sediment origins. Thus, further investigation of REEs origin in the Oualidia lagoon sediment is required to identify their sources, provenances, and the factors controlling their spatial and vertical distributions. However, these results provide baseline data of occurring changes in REEs geochemical composition and constitute a typical study case to understand the link between sedimentary and geochemistry processes in a lagoonal ecosystem.