Trace Elements in Bauxite Deposits: Critical Georesource and Significant Indicators of Paleoenvironmental Conditions

Dear Colleagues,

Bauxite deposits are residual weathering products formed in tropical to subtropical climates and are related to several different rock types. Regardless of the source rock from which the bauxites were formed, the study of the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of bauxites is becoming increasingly widespread. In recent decades, the focus of bauxite studies has changed from their potential for aluminum to, more recently, their potential to include several trace elements. These trace elements, which are often enriched in bauxites, are considered a critical Georesource; they include Li, Ni, Co, V, Cr, Ga, Hf, Ta, Sc, Nb, Sr, Zr, and REEs. Since these elements are widely used in many technological and industrial sectors, European Union reports (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020) classify them as "critical raw materials." In recent years, new research has been focusing on the recovery of critical elements from bauxite waste, the so-called “red muds” which are generally enriched in trace elements.

Furthermore, the trace elements within bauxites are not only a Georesource but they can provide useful and interesting information about the genetic processes and paleoenvironmental conditions that led to the formation of these deposits. Among the trace elements, the distribution of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and their fractionation indices (such as LREE/HREE, La/Yb, Gd/Yb) are used to help define the genetic model of these residual sedimentary rocks.

This Special Issue welcomes all original studies of the geochemical characteristics of bauxites, especially trace elements. In addition, new approaches to data analysis such as artificial intelligence and novel machine learning are welcomed.

The Guest Editors hope that this Special Issue will attract works of great quality and interest.

Dr. Roberto Buccione
Dr. Farhad Ahmadnejad
Dr. Kunyue Ling
Dr. Batoul Taghipour
Guest Editors

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• bauxite geochemistry
• bauxite trace elements
• critical georesource
• rare earth elements
• genesis of bauxites
• paleoenvironment of bauxite