Quantification of Rare Earth Elements in Bangladeshi Rice Samples in Shipwrecking Yard Area-Chittagong

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REEs), including the lanthanides, scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y), are increasingly recognized for their industrial applications and potential environmental contamination risks. Despite their widespread use in technology, the environmental impact of REEs, particularly in agricultural systems, remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the concentration of REEs in rice grown in Chittagong, Bangladesh, a region impacted by shipbreaking activities known for environmental degradation, with Barguna Sadar serving as a control site. Rice samples were pretreated using the ashing technique before being analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify REEs. Results revealed that the total REEs (ƩREEs) in rice from contaminated sites ranged from 17.35 µg/kg to 1807 µg/kg, while the control site showed no significant deviation. Specific elements, such as lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and neodymium (Nd), exhibited elevated concentrations in contaminated samples, with values significantly higher than those reported in existing literature. The presence of estuaries and proximity to industrial activities likely contribute to the accumulation of REEs in rice crops. Although REEs are not inherently toxic, their potential bioaccumulation in food chains raises concerns for human health and ecological impacts. This study provides critical baseline data on REEs in rice and underscores the need for further monitoring of environmental and agricultural systems affected by industrial pollutants. Understanding the presence and effects of REEs in crops is vital for assessing long-term risks associated with environmental contamination.

Keywords: Rare earth elements, rice contamination, environmental health, Lanthanides, ICPMS analysis, Bangladesh