EuroPean trAining NetwOrk on Rare eArth elements environMental trAnsfer: from rock to human

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As Rare Earth Elements (REE) are crucial to a wide range of modern technologies regards to their unique properties, Europe expands its ability to obtain these strategic REE resources. Thus, several research and industrial projects were recently dedicated to the identification of potential REE stocks in Europe. However, the environmental risk exerted by the REE dissemination has so far received very little attention although disruptions of some REE biogeochemical cycles have been already evidenced. In that context, intensive and cooperative intersectoral researches are needed on REE environmental occurrence, behaviour, fate and their respective effects on natural resources (soils, waters and biota) and human health. The PANORAMA project is a unique multi- and interdisciplinary project aiming at (i) investigating the whole REE environmental behaviour including the characterization of sources, speciations and transfers throughout the different environmental compartments and sensu lato associated effects onto environmental health, as well as (ii) gaining valuable knowledge for applications in friendly environmental REE life cycle. For the 1st time PANORAMA gathers the competencies of (geo)chemists, (hydro)geologists and (eco)toxicologists, working in 14 academic and 4 private partners to enroll and train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs). The project will combine training and cutting-edge research tools through coupled field/ analytical/experimental/modeling approaches. The strong blend of academic and non-academic sectors in the consortium will give the ESRs a unique chance to develop a wide set of fundamental research, technical and transferable skills (e.g. research integrity, communication and dissemination, career development and innovative technology), thus preparing them for long-time employment in either the academic, industrial, commercial or policy sectors and pave the way for high-level long-standing intersectoral collaborations within a European framework.