Geology and distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in selected soil profiles in, Jeli, Kelantan

The study about geology and distribution of REE in the selected soil profile was conducted in the Jeli area that covered 25 km2. The coordinate of the study area is 5⁰ 44’30” to 5⁰ 47’0” N and 101⁰ 51’ 45” to 101⁰54’40” E. The objectives of this study are to update the geological map of the Kg. Gemang and Kg. Ayer Lanas area in scale 1:25000 and to analyse the distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in the selected soil profile in Jeli, Kelantan. The study area consists of granite, slate, and quaternary alluvial deposits. The geomorphological features that can be observed in this area are plains area, low land, low hill, and hill area. The highest elevation is 280 m, and the lowest elevation is 40 m. The petrography analysis of the rock samples show quartz is the dominant mineral in the granite rock. The concentration of REE in the soil sample was determined using ICP-MS analysis. XRD and XRF analyses were also conducted to know the mineralogy and element composition of the sample. The result of ICP-MS analysis shows the soil sample inside UMK (JL9) consists of higher REE concentration with a total concentration of 213.5 ppm. This is because the soil sample consists of apatite (accessory mineral) that can carry REE and made the pattern of the REE in soil sample JL9 slightly different from another sample. XRD analysis shows the peak of the mineral in the sample where the sample from JL6 shows the highest peak of quartz mineral compared to another sample and XRF analysis shows the major and trace element composition in the sample. In conclusion, JL9 (213.5 ppm) show the higher REE concentration followed by JL10 (86.3 ppm) and JL16 (70.4 ppm) in Batu Melintang. However, the distribution of the REE in the Jeli area is quite low because the limited accessory minerals found in those samples.