Nanostructure reveals REE mineral crystallization mechanisms in granites from a heavy REE deposit, South China

Weathering crusts after granites are the most important source of heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) worldwide. Although HREE in these deposits is known to be inherited from parental rocks, the origin of HREE enrichment and the reasons why it is rare outside of China remains unclear. Here, we report the occurrence of variably organized nanoparticles of Ce-poor (