Several studies investigating the behavior and environmental distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) have been reviewed to determine the geochemical processes that may affect their concentrations and fractionation patterns in groundwater and whether these elements can be used as tracers for groundwater-rock interactions and groundwater flow paths in small catchments. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer and active-film multiplier detector, is routinely used as an analytical technique to measure REEs in groundwater, facilitating the analysis of dissolved REE geochemistry. This review focuses on the distribution of REEs in groundwater and their application as tracers for groundwater geochemistry. Our review of existing literature suggests that REEs in ice cores can be used as effective tracers for atmospheric particles, aiding the identification of source regions.

Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
    Sampling and analytical techniques
    Principal component analysis (PCA)
Rare Earth Elements inGroundwater Geochemistry
    The distribution of rare earth elements ingroundwaters
    Rare earth elements as groundwater geochemistrytracers
Summary and Closing Thought
References

• Heejin Hwang(Korea Polar Research Institute)
• Yalalt Nyamgerel(Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University)
• Jeonghoon Lee(Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University) Corresponding author