Chinese researchers have discovered that a fern called Blechnum orientale (烏毛蕨) not only hyperaccumulates rare earth elements (REEs) in massive amounts but, for the first time, self-assembles these REEs into a mineral called “l(fā)anthanum monazite” within its tissues. This is the first observed case of biological mineralization of REEs in a natural plant, opening a new pathway for sustainable rare earth resource utilization. The findings were published online on November 5 in the international journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Rare earths are known as the “vitamins of industry” — indispensable strategic resources for AI, new energy, and national defense. However, traditional mining causes severe ecological damage. Researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have long been exploring cleaner, more sustainable REE acquisition methods.
Previously, scientists identified Blechnum orientale and other REE hyperaccumulator plants — acting like “rare earth vacuum cleaners” in soil, efficiently absorbing and concentrating trace REEs from the environment.
In this study, researchers observed that REEs absorbed from the soil precipitate as nanoparticles in the vascular bundles and epidermal tissues of the fern leaves, then crystallize into lanthanum monazite. Further analysis revealed this is a plant self-protection mechanism — akin to “packaging and sealing” toxic substances. The plant locks potentially harmful REE ions into a stable mineral structure, achieving passivation and natural detoxification.
The researchers noted that monazite is a key industrial REE ore, typically formed through magmatic or hydrothermal processes and often contaminated with radioactive uranium and thorium, posing extraction challenges. In contrast, the “biological monazite” formed in Blechnum orientale under ambient temperature and pressure is pure and non-radioactive, demonstrating tremendous potential for green extraction.
This discovery not only opens a new window into hyperaccumulator research but also inspires future sustainable REE strategies: by cultivating plants like Blechnum orientale, we can simultaneously remediate contaminated soil, restore REE tailing sites, and recover high-value REEs from plant biomass — achieving a true “repair while recycling” green cycle.
Source: Xinhua
