Abstract
Cerium is an important rare earth element that has numerous and essential technological applications, as do many of the rare earth elements. Given that the rare earth elements do not exist as abundant and highly concentrated ore deposits, considerable research has been devoted toward their economically feasible extraction and subsequent processing. Ion-adsorption rare earth element deposits are emerging sources for rare earth element extraction and processing, including cerium. This manuscript presents a brief introduction to the soil thermodynamics of rare earth element hydrolysis, complexation, and adsorption onto phyllosilicates. These intrinsically critical thermodynamic-based activities govern rare earth element mineral weathering, species mobility, bioavailability, and suitability for specific extraction protocols. Ion-adsorption rare earth element deposits and their formation are discussed to provide options for subsequent research involving resource utilization, conservation, and environmental protection.