Developing tree trace elements as a prospecting tool for strategic metals

Increasing technological demand for strategic metals and increasing competition for diminishing resources are elevating pressure to find and develop domestic sources of critical minerals. This project will develop a rapid, cost-effective prospecting tool for strategic metals, using chemical analysis of trees. In developing this method, graduate and undergraduate students will be provided research and professional training that is directly relevant to the minerals industry. This work serves several national interests, especially increasing economic competitiveness, supporting national defense, advancing the national health and welfare, establishing partnerships between academia and industry, and helping develop a scientifically and technologically skilled workforce. Most mineral prospecting focuses on rock outcrop observations coupled with soil chemistry data, but bedrock exposure is sparse and soil sampling and analysis are slow and expensive. This project seeks to streamline prospecting through rapid trace element analysis of trees, cross-calibrated against local, previously measured, soil composition. The project will target three sites with known strategic resources and extensive soil data. Samples will consist primarily of tree cores as well as needles, cone scales, seeds, and bark. Trace element composition of tree tissue will be compared with nearby soil composition to identify whether tree chemistry can be used like soil chemistry for prospecting. This project responds to national priorities to help develop domestic sources for critical minerals, improving economic competitiveness and reducing geopolitical risk. Data will also help define trophic transfer factors relevant to toxicology and fire frequency. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.