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<p>Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly used in energy materials, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, raising concern about their environmental release and potential human exposure. However, baseline biomonitoring data for urban populations without direct mining or smelting influence remain limited. Here, we measured REEs in scalp hair from 30 long-term residents of Nanning, South China (14 males and 16 females, 22–59 years), a representative urban setting distinct from northern REE mining-smelting regions. Concentrations of La-Lu and Y were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. REE patterns were evaluated using upper continental crust (UCC) normalization, the mass fractions of light REEs, middle REEs, and heavy REEs, Ce and Eu anomalies, normalized elemental ratios, and Y–Ho coupling. Total REE concentrations ranged from 0.93 to 75.78&#xa0;ng/g, with an average of 24.01&#xa0;ng/g, indicating marked inter-individual variability. Light REEs dominated the REE mass, accounting for 79.77% on average, whereas middle REEs and heavy REEs contributed 14.19% and 6.04%, respectively. UCC-normalized patterns showed consistently negative Ce anomalies and mostly positive Eu anomalies, while several individuals displayed a shift toward heavy-REE enrichment. About half of the Y/Ho ratios were close to crustal values, although deviations occurred in some samples. Compared with published data from mining areas and special populations in China, Nanning residents showed lower overall REE levels but distinct fractionation and anomaly features. These findings provide preliminary urban baseline data and support the cautious use of hair REE signatures in environmental exposure assessment.</p>

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Baseline and fractionation of rare earth elements in hair of urban residents in Nanning, South China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • Hongcheng Mei,
  • Ziyang Ding,
  • Guilin Han,
  • Rui Qu,
  • Xiaoyu Hu,
  • Di Wang,
  • Zhaowei Jie,
  • Wenqian Sun,
  • Jun Zhu

摘要

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly used in energy materials, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, raising concern about their environmental release and potential human exposure. However, baseline biomonitoring data for urban populations without direct mining or smelting influence remain limited. Here, we measured REEs in scalp hair from 30 long-term residents of Nanning, South China (14 males and 16 females, 22–59 years), a representative urban setting distinct from northern REE mining-smelting regions. Concentrations of La-Lu and Y were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. REE patterns were evaluated using upper continental crust (UCC) normalization, the mass fractions of light REEs, middle REEs, and heavy REEs, Ce and Eu anomalies, normalized elemental ratios, and Y–Ho coupling. Total REE concentrations ranged from 0.93 to 75.78 ng/g, with an average of 24.01 ng/g, indicating marked inter-individual variability. Light REEs dominated the REE mass, accounting for 79.77% on average, whereas middle REEs and heavy REEs contributed 14.19% and 6.04%, respectively. UCC-normalized patterns showed consistently negative Ce anomalies and mostly positive Eu anomalies, while several individuals displayed a shift toward heavy-REE enrichment. About half of the Y/Ho ratios were close to crustal values, although deviations occurred in some samples. Compared with published data from mining areas and special populations in China, Nanning residents showed lower overall REE levels but distinct fractionation and anomaly features. These findings provide preliminary urban baseline data and support the cautious use of hair REE signatures in environmental exposure assessment.