Paleontologists have announced an extraordinary find from South China. She and her associates discovered the fern species Blechnum orientale produces as a normal condition small crystals that consist of rare earth elements (REEs). The scientists are making a historic discovery. For the first time, they have found a living plant capable of producing crystals of these key metals. The study’s findings were released today in Environmental Science & Technology, a publication of the American Chemical Society. They demonstrate that using plants is a totally new and innovative way to extract rare earth elements (REEs).
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 transition metals famous for their similar properties. They are often essential ingredients to many cutting-edge technologies, such as wind energy, electric vehicle batteries, smart phones, and medical imaging devices. Despite their importance, REEs occur at low concentrations in the Earth’s crust, making their extraction both challenging and environmentally damaging through traditional mining methods.
Blechnum orientale fern collected from areas known to have REE deposits in South China. Researchers recently spent a lot of time studying this fern’s unusual ability to synthesize these valuable elements. The fern secretes small crystals that house REEs. While it has taken time, this breakthrough represents a major step forward in our pursuit for more sustainable and efficient extraction methods.
This finding has opened up the possibility of using other plants for the purpose of REE extraction. It would be a more cost-effective and less invasive option than current mining practices. Taking this approach can help create paths toward more sustainable solutions in an industry which is widely dependent on rare earth elements.
Rare earth elements (REEs) have become increasingly popular in today’s marketplace with the advent of green technology and portable electronic devices. Harnessing the natural capabilities of plants like Blechnum orientale might provide a viable alternative to current extraction techniques, potentially reducing environmental impacts associated with mining.