Rare earth element content of sewage sludges dumped at sea in Liverpool Bay, U.K.

Abstract The concentrations of 12 rare earth elements (REEs) were determined in 4 sewage sludges that are dumped at sea in Liverpool Bay, U.K. High concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm were found in the Warrington sludge probably deriving from the glassmaking industry. The concentration of REEs in the Davyhulme and Salford sludges were generally well within, and in the Runcorn sludge at the bottom of the range of the data reported in the literature.