Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for modern technologies, making their geological formation and distribution of great economic importance. My research focuses on understanding the processes that concentrate REEs during weathering, using mineralogical, elemental, and isotopic tools, including the development of novel stable isotope systems. I study REE behavior across multiple scales, from the weathering of REE-rich minerals to their adsorption onto secondary phases.
My work spans diverse environments, including Antarctica, Malaysia, Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire. In addition to lateritic systems, I investigate high-temperature water-rock interactions that influence REE geochemistry and may lead to hydrothermal deposit formation.
I currently lead three funded projects on this topic. The first is REE-TROPIC (Rare Earth Element Geochemistry in Tropical Weathering and Laterite Formation: Implications for Resource Prospecting), funded by the PHC Tournesol program. The second is CeClayAds (Géochimie Élementaire et Isotopique de l’Adsorption du Cérium sur les Argiles: Implications pour les Systèmes de l’Altération Tropicale), funded by CNRS-INSU. The third is LANTHAN (Potentiel en terres rares des régolithes d’Afrique de l’Ouest: approche géochimique et minéralogique), funded by Institut Carnot-ISIFoR.
Research Highlights:
Hamed Pourkhorsandi 