Core Viewpoint - The discovery of rare earth elements in the plant "Osmunda japonica" and their self-assembly into a mineral called "lanthanite" presents a new sustainable pathway for rare earth resource utilization, addressing ecological concerns associated with traditional mining methods [1][2][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - Researchers found that rare earth elements absorbed by Osmunda japonica precipitate as nanoparticles and crystallize into lanthanite, which acts as a protective mechanism for the plant, effectively sequestering potentially harmful rare earth ions [2][4]. - The lanthanite formed by Osmunda japonica is pure and non-radioactive, unlike naturally occurring lanthanite that often contains radioactive elements, thus offering a promising green extraction potential [4]. Group 2: Implications for Sustainable Utilization - The study opens new avenues for research on hyperaccumulator plants and suggests that cultivating Osmunda japonica could facilitate the recovery of valuable rare earth elements while simultaneously remediating contaminated soils and restoring ecosystems affected by rare earth mining [4]. - This approach embodies a "repair and recover" green circular model, allowing for the dual benefit of environmental restoration and resource recovery [4].
关于稀土,有重要发现
21世纪经济报道·2025-11-07 14:26