Geochemistry of rare earth elements in groundwater from different aquifers in the Gboko area, central Benue Trough, Nigeria

Water samples from different aquifers in Gboko area, Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria, were evaluated to determine the quality, hydrochemical facies and the concentrations and fractionation patterns of rare earth elements (REEs) in the groundwater. The results revealed that the groundwater is contaminated with factors emanating from the concentrations of NO₃, Cl, Mn, and the TDS (total dissolved solids). Five hydrochemical facies were identified, namely Na + KSO₄Cl, Na + KHCO₃, MgSO₄Cl, and two forms of CaMgHCO₃ (viz., Na + KHCO₃ and Na + KSO₄Cl). Ion exchange leads to the formation of Na + KHCO₃ from CaMgHCO₃, while reversed ion exchange leads to the formation of Na + KSO₄Cl from CaMgHCO₃, usually in the presence of saline water conditions. Also, simple dissolution or linear mixing gives rise to CaMgSO₄Cl from CaMgHCO₃. The results also showed that the contents of REE in the samples range from 1 to 445 ppb, with significant contributions from La, Ce and Nd. The shallow groundwater is predominantly LREE-enriched NASC-normalized patterns. The LREE enrichment is attributed to weathering of host rock minerals, such as phosphate monazite, florencite, and allanite, in an oxic environment, while the HREE enrichment is attributed to processes such as complexation reactions, desorption processes, re-adsorption processes, and chemical weathering in a reducing condition. The groundwater shows positive anomalies for both Ce and Eu. The Ce is controlled by oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺, incorporation of Ce into Mn and Fe oxyhydroxides phases, and Eu anomalies by weathering of zircon-rich minerals.