Accumulation and Fractionation of Rare Earth Elements in Surface Waters of the Russian Far East under the Conditions of Natural and Anthropogenic Anomalies

The distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements were studied in surface waters from areas with different anthropogenic impacts in the southern part of the Russian Far East and in natural anomalous waters from areas with intense volcanic-hydrothermal activity. The levels of REE contents and their fractionation in the sequence from the light to heavy REE were estimated in different waters, and their connections with major ions and other trace elements, primarily Al, Fe, and Mn, were determined. The relations of the main forms of REE migration (dissolved and suspended) in surface waters were evaluated, and fundamental differences were detected in the accumulation of REE in the natural acid waters of the Kuril Islands and under continental conditions related to their deep input and redistribution in streams.