Economy 101: Rare Earth – Understanding the Robust Economy
The following rare earth oxides, listed clockwise from the top center, are commonly used for tracking sediment movement and pinpointing erosion sources with high precision: praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), cerium oxide (CeO₂), lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃), samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃), and gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃). Each oxide is selected for its unique signature, enabling scientists to map sediment transport, assess erosion rates, and inform watershed management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. Image source: Wikimedia/By Peggy Greb (US Department of Agriculture)
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