Natural Resource Exploration With Sonar on Underwater Vehicle

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takao Sawa ◽  
Takafumi Kasaya ◽  
Tadahiro Hyakudome ◽  
Hiroshi Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Underwater Robotics ◽  
Underwater Exploration

Occurring as a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, rare earth elements such as neodymium are necessary for the development of mobile phones and magnet motors. Although securing rare earth elements is essential for economic growth of all nations, their demand is rapidly expanding among global powers such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Rare earth element deposits were discovered in the seafloor near hydrothermal vents in the 1980s. Japan has the sixth largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is abundant in underwater natural resources such as a cobalt and a manganese mine. Because underwater exploration of rare earth elements was deemed unprofitable, the practice was suspended. Current advancements in underwater robotics, however, have led to economic viability in this venture. Such developments have resulted in the increased use of remote sensing with sonars on unmanned underwater vehicles. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) developed a cruising autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) known as Urashima. This AUV performed its first sea trial in 2000, and cruise for 317 km without recharging or refueling in 2005 as a world record at the time. The first mission of Urashima was a vast sea exploration to investigate worldwide environmental crises such as global warming. However, the purpose of these missions has since then shifted primarily to the exploration of underwater natural resources. In addition, JAMSTEC developed a synthetic aperture sonar on a neutral buoyancy towfish in 2010. This underwater exploration system, known as Kyouryuu, scanned Wakamiko caldera at the sea bottom in Kagoshima Bay where volcanic activity was evident. Numerous hot-water flows from hydrothermal vents were clearly recorded. In addition, many dormant chimneys were detected. These features provide important data for estimating the distribution of hydrothermal vents and chimneys in addition to their transitions.

Rare earth elements in seawater near hydrothermal vents

Nature ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 305 (5931) ◽  
pp. 185-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Klinkhammer ◽  
H. Elderfield ◽  
A. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents

US engagement in Greenland will intensify

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Location ◽  
Economic Engagement

Significance Attention is returning to Greenland’s natural resources -- especially rare-earth elements (REEs) -- and its strategic location, something China and Russia also recognise. Washington in April gave a USD12.1mn aid package to Greenland, supporting economic development through mining, education and tourism. Impacts China will continue investing in Greenland’s REE reserves, straining US-China relations. Nuuk will use US investment as leverage for greater Danish political and economic engagement. Foreign investment and diplomatic engagement will embolden Greenland as a distinct political entity. Climate change will increase Greenland’s viability as tourist destination.

scholarly journals An Updated Review of Toxicity Effect of the Rare Earth Elements (REEs) on Aquatic Organisms

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1663
Author(s):  
Nemi Malhotra ◽  
Hua-Shu Hsu ◽  
Sung-Tzu Liang ◽  
Marri Jmelou M. Roldan ◽  
Jiann-Shing Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Earth’S Crust ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Toxicity Effect ◽  
Earth's Crust

Rare earth elements (REEs) or “technology metals” were coined by the U.S. Department of Energy, a group of seventeen elements found in the Earth’s crust. These chemical elements are vital and irreplaceable to the world of technology owing to their unique physical, chemical, and light-emitting properties, all of which are beneficial in modern healthcare, telecommunication, and defense. Rare earth elements are relatively abundant in Earth’s crust, with critical qualities to the device performance. The reuse and recycling of rare earth elements through different technologies can minimize impacts on the environment; however, there is insufficient data about their biological, bioaccumulation, and health effects. The increasing usage of rare earth elements has raised concern about environmental toxicity, which may further cause harmful effects on human health. The study aims to review the toxicity analysis of these rare earth elements concerning aquatic biota, considering it to be the sensitive indicator of the environment. Based on the limited reports of REE effects, the review highlights the need for more detailed studies on the hormetic effects of REEs. Aquatic biota is a cheap, robust, and efficient platform to study REEs’ toxicity, mobility of REEs, and biomagnification in water bodies. REEs’ diverse effects on aquatic life forms have been observed due to the lack of safety limits and extensive use in the various sectors. In accordance with the available data, we have put in efforts to compile all the relevant research results in this paper related to the topic “toxicity effect of REEs on aquatic life”.

Rare-earth element distribution features in natural-technogenic complexes of some polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
Т. Tsyrenov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Fractionation Process ◽  
Geological Institute ◽  
Distribution Features ◽  
Rare Earth Element Distribution ◽  
Eastern Transbaikalia ◽  
Lead Zinc

The purpose of the study is to investigate rare-earth elements distribution features in all components of the natural-technogenic complexes of Akatuevsky, Blagodatsky and Novo-Shirokinsky polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia. Due to increasing demand for rare-earth elements (REE) in various fields of industry, identification of features of REE distribution in natural-technogenic complexes of polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia is relevant. The chemical elements of the REE group include 15 elements, yttrium (Y) and the lanthanoid group consisting of 14 elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu). Determination of the elemental composition of samples was carried out by X-ray fluorescence method in the Geological Institute of the Geological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude) and by ICP- MS method in the laboratory of SGS Vostok Limited (Chita). In the process of investigations REE concentrations in all components of natural-technogenic complexes of Akatuevsky, Blagodatsky and Novo-Shirokinsky polymetallic deposits (lead-zinc ores, technozems, soils) were determined. Their regular decrease of REE concentrations in the order: soils→technozems→lead-zinc ores was established. In the most of studied samples there is a decrease of heavy lanthanides content relative to light ones, as well as negative europium anomaly, in some samples of lead-zinc ores positive europium anomaly is observed. Europium anomaly magnitude (Eu/Eu*) is an indicator of the degree of differentiation of magmatic melts, determined by plagioclase fractionation processes. It is known that feldspars serve as the main controller of the Europium anomaly. The phenomenon of a negative europium anomaly is observed if plagioclase remains in the source after fractional crystallization or partial melting. Positive europium anomaly in sulphide ores is caused by the presence of barite, as well as by the accumulation of plagioclase in the liquid phase due to the fractionation process. REE is known to have adverse effects on the environment due to its high biological and biochemical activity. Modern methods of remediation of the potential damage to the environment have been proposed

scholarly journals Rare Earth Magnet Recycling and Materialization for a Circular Economy—A Korean Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6739
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zarar Rasheed ◽  
Myung-suk Song ◽  
Sang-min Park ◽  
Sun-woo Nam ◽  
Javid Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Extraction Efficiency ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Rare Earth Magnet ◽  
The Republic

The Republic of Korea is one of the largest consumers and a leading exporter of electronics, medical appliances, and heavy and light vehicles. Rare-earth (RE)-based magnets are indispensable for these technologies, and Korea is totally dependent on imports of compounds or composites of REEs, as the country lacks natural resources. Effect on rare earth supply chain significantly affects Korea’s transition towards a green economy. This study investigates the Republic of Korea’s approach to developing a secure rare earth supply chain for REE magnets via a recycling and materialization process known as ReMaT. It investigates the progress Korea has made so far regarding ReMaT from both technical and non-technical perspectives. Rare earth elements are successfully recycled as part of this process while experiments at the industrial scale is carried out. In this paper, the research results in terms of the extraction efficiency of rare earth elements are discussed and a comparison with previous relevant studies is provided. This study also highlights the opportunities and challenges regarding the implementation of the ReMaT process in order to create a downstream rare earth value chain based on circular economy principles.

scholarly journals A Mechatronic Description of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for Dam Inspection

Robotics ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 647-662
Author(s):  
Ítalo Jáder Loiola Batista ◽  
Antonio Themoteo Varela ◽  
Edicarla Pereira Andrade ◽  
José Victor Cavalcante Azevedo ◽  
Tiago Lessa Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Lake Ecosystem ◽  
Underwater Robotics ◽  
Structure Monitoring ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
And Storage

Driven by the rising demand for underwater operations concerning dam structure monitoring, Hydropower Plant (HPP), reservoir, and lake ecosystem inspection, and mining and oil exploration, underwater robotics applications are increasing rapidly. The increase in exploration, prospecting, monitoring, and security in lakes, rivers, and the sea in commercial applications has led large companies and research centers to invest underwater vehicle development. The purpose of this work is to present the design of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), focusing efforts on dimensioning structural elements and machinery and elaborating the sensory part, which includes navigation sensors and environmental conditions sensors. The integration of these sensors in an intelligent platform provides a satisfactory control of the vehicle, allowing the movement of the submarine on the three spatial axes. Because of the satisfactory fast response of the sensors, one can determine the acceleration and inclination as well as the attitude in relation to the trajectory instantaneously taken. This vehicle will be able to monitor the physical integrity of dams, making acquisition and storage of environmental parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity, as well as document images of the biota from reservoir lake HPPs, with minimal cost, high availability, and low dependence on a skilled workforce to operate it.

scholarly journals Study of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Ex Tin Mining and Kaoline Mining in Merawang District, Bangka Regency)

PROMINE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Delita Ega Andini ◽  
Guskarnali Guskarnali ◽  
Alfitri Rosita
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Geological Position

Indonesia have natural resources in producing rare earth elements (REE). The abundance ofmineral resources in Bangka Island is related to the strategic geological position of BangkaIsland formed on the Southeast Asian Tin Belt (Cobbing, 2005). Geologically, the REEdeposits are associated with acid rocks (granitic) and phosphatic deposits. This studyfocuses on primary samples taken directly from ex tin mining area and ex kaolin mining inMerawang District, Bangka. The analysis of the sample uses X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) tofind out the REE content are Ce, La, Nd, Sb, Sc, Sm, Te, Th, Y, and U. The analysis resultsshow that the spread of elemental content in the sample tends to have a relatively similarpresence. But in Sample 1 shows the Ce element is the dominant element that is equal to25.19 ppm, equivalent to 0.002% of its availability in sedimentary sand in the ex tin mining.while on the ex kaoline mining area the results of the analysis showed that there wasThorium (Th) content in Sample 3 of 70.05 ppm or 0.007% and was the highest contentcompared to other elements in all samples.

scholarly journals Effect and Accumulation of Lanthanum on the Growth and Physiological Activities of Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Nees Ex Steud.)W.Watson

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aradhana Basu ◽  
Swati Panda ◽  
Nabin Dhal
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Lemon Grass ◽  
Cymbopogon Flexuosus ◽  
Long Time

The rare earth elements are a set of seventeen chemical elements which involve the lanthanide series from Lanthanum (La), Tolutetium (Lu), Scandium (Sc), and Yttrium (Y) in the periodic table. Even if Rare Earth Elements are used widely in industry and agriculture in China as well as India for a long time, there has been increasing interest in the application of REEs to plants in recent years. In this paper, we discussed the effect of REE on growth and physiological activities of the plant. By compilation and investigation of these data, we found that REEs have promoting impact at certain concentration. An increase in Chlorophyll, enzymes and protein content further indicated the stimulating effect of La on physiological activities of the selected plants. Depending on the results of this preliminary investigation we can say that a new REE hyperaccumulator, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemon grass), was discovered which could accumulate Lanthanum is 20.725 mg g-1 and 25.625 mg g-1 dry mass in root and shoot part respectively under natural growth conditions. Advanced research should be invested regarding the impacts of REEs on yields of cultivated plants.

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