Contrasting distribution of REE and yttrium among particulate, colloidal and dissolved fractions during low and high flows in peri-urban and agricultural river systems

Understanding the possible consequences of anthropogenic activities on REY environmental fate and adverse effects biota requires a detailed knowledge their distribution between particulate, colloidal dissolved fractions. Such information is practically non-existent for peri-urban rivers having heavily populated basins suffering from direct impacts various human activities. The present study compared among particulate (>1000 nm), coarse (1000 nm – 220 small (220 10 kDa) (<10 water fractions in two river contrasted land uses (agricultural vs urban/industrial) under low high flow conditions. Regardless hydrological conditions, most were fraction both catchments. These results suggest erosion soils as main source rivers, although Nd anomaly industrial origin occurred industrialized basin. During flow, patterns displayed marked Gd Eu anomalies fractionation Light Heavy REY. Both characteristics reflect influence wastewater treatment plant effluents rivers. acquired less fractionated, more natural Middle pattern, including much lower positive anomalies. was close to while colloids depleted similar fraction. different difference nature bearing phases available collectively show that complete understanding cannot be achieved sole filterable (typically <0.45 μm).