Rare earth elements and soil carbon dynamics in a mining-impacted ecosystem in southern China

Sun Yat-sen University, founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and with an educational tradition spanning over 100 years, is a preeminent research, academic and cultural center and the premier location for talent development in South China. Under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, and strongly supported by both the Ministry and Guangdong Province, Sun Yat-sen University has developed into a modern comprehensive university that enjoys a reputation as a top-tier university nationally and a renowned university internationally. With five campuses in the three cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, and ten affiliated hospitals, the University is striving to become a world-class university and global center of learning. 

    Built on a solid multidisciplinary foundation of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering, Sun Yat-sen University is propelled forward by the continuous pursuit of academic innovation. The University is equipped with a globally aware outlook, and has dedicated itself to being an institution that is “comprehensive, innovative, and open”. The University adheres to the socialist orientation of higher education, focusing on the fundamental task of nurturing virtue and talents. The goal of talent cultivation is to nurture students who have both ability and moral integrity, able to cultivate charisma and eager to serve their country. The basic guiding philosophy is to be oriented toward academic frontiers, oriented toward national major strategic needs, and oriented toward national and regional economic and social development. The coordinated development of five campuses in the three cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen will jointly support the development of the entire University. The University is pushing forward the transformation from external development to internal development, the transformation from routine development to active development, and the transformation from a university with discrete advantages in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and medical sciences to a university where humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medical sciences and engineering can integrate and develop while retaining their distinctive characteristics. Now, standing at a new starting point, Sun Yat-sen University strives to enter both the national first-tier of universities and the ranks of world-class elite universities, building a first-class socialist university with Chinese characteristics.

Scientific context and internship objectives

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical components of modern technologies, particularly in the energy, electronics and electric mobility sectors. However, mining activities associated with their increasing demand can disturb soils and vegetation, promote erosion and alter soil microbial communities (Han et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2013). REE-tolerant and hyperaccumulating plants are therefore of interest for understanding REE cycling and supporting the restoration of mining-impacted ecosystems. Among them, the fern Dicranopteris linearis is a widespread pioneer species capable of colonizing nutrient-poor, highly weathered soils and accumulating high REE concentrations in its above-ground biomass (Liu et al., 2019). Previous research has mainly focused on REE uptake, distribution and translocation within plants, including the role of rhizosphere chemistry in REE availability (Wiche and Pourret, 2023). Once incorporated into plant biomass, REEs may return to the soil through litter production and decomposition, linking their recycling to soil carbon cycling. Microbial decomposition can influence both the mineralization of newly added litter and that of existing soil organic matter. During this process, elements contained in litter may be released, retained or redistributed among soil compartments (Montemagno et al., 2022). However, the effects of naturally REE-enriched litter on microbial processes and soil carbon dynamics remain poorly understood, particularly for hyperaccumulators such as D. linearis. This internship is part of an ongoing research project at Sun Yat-sen University investigating REE–carbon interactions in southern China. It will focus on a mining-impacted ecosystem in Dingnan, Jiangxi Province, where an initial sampling campaign has already been completed. The work will primarily involve laboratory respirometry experiments to investigate soil carbon mineralization and its relationships with REE enrichment and plant litter inputs, complemented by sample analyses and additional field sampling.

Main activities

The internship will mainly involve laboratory experiments, complemented by sample collection at the mining site and data analysis. Following appropriate training, the intern will contribute to:

• Preparing and characterizing soil, fresh biomass and plant litter samples collected at the mining site.

• Setting up and monitoring respirometry experiments under controlled incubation conditions.

• Conducting complementary analyses of soil, plant and litter properties, carbon pools and REE concentrations.

• Participating in additional field sampling campaigns with the research team.

• Processing, analyzing and interpreting experimental results, and presenting findings in an internship report.

The experimental scope will be refined according to ongoing project results and the internship timeline. The resulting data will contribute to a better understanding of REE–carbon interactions in mining-impacted ecosystems and support the development of the wider research project.

Research environment and practical support

The intern will be based at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University (East Campus), Guangzhou, and directly supervised by Dr Emmeline D’Incau. Training will be provided in sample preparation, laboratory methods, and data analysis. The internship offers international research experience combining laboratory work, field sampling and scientific interpretation.

• Monthly allowance: approximately 2,500–3,000 RMB throughout the internship.

• Accommodation: assistance in finding suitable accommodation close to the university campus.

• Visa and practical arrangements: guidance with visa procedures and support in settling in Guangzhou.

Selected references

Han, Y.-H., et al. (2025). Environmental impacts of rare earth elements mining and strategies for sustainable management: A comprehensive review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 500, 140400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140400 Liu, W.-S., et al. (2019). Co-deposition of silicon with rare earth elements (REEs) and aluminium in the fern Dicranopteris linearis from China. Plant and Soil, 437, 427–437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04005-0 Montemagno, A., et al. (2022). Dynamics of rare earth elements and associated major and trace elements during Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) litter degradation. Biogeosciences, 19, 3111–3129. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3111-2022 Wiche, O., & Pourret, O. (2023). The role of root carboxylate release on rare earth element (hyper)accumulation in plants – a biogeochemical perspective on rhizosphere chemistry. Plant and Soil, 492, 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-06177-2 Yang, X.J., et al. (2013). China’s ion-adsorption rare earth resources, mining consequences and preservation. Environmental Development, 8, 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2013.03.006

We are looking for a Master’s student, final-year engineering student or equivalent with a background in environmental sciences, soil science, biogeochemistry, geochemistry, ecology or a related discipline. The candidate should demonstrate an interest in experimental research, rigor in laboratory work and data management, scientific curiosity, autonomy, adaptability and a willingness to participate in both field and laboratory work. A good command of English is required (minimum B1 level) for communication within the research team.

Previous experience with soil analyses, controlled experiments, or statistical data analysis would be an advantage, but is not required.