Association of Rare Earths in Different Phases of Marcellus and Haynesville Shale: Implications on Release and Recovery Strategies

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper presents an experimental work on the recovery of rare element from black shale. It is well written and organized. I recommend minor revision prior to publishing.

1.       There were grammar errors throughout the manuscript. Please have it proofread before publishing. For example, in “Materials and Methods” section, please be consistent either past tense or present tense when describing experimental procedures.

2.       Is there any reason for the authors to use Haynesville and Marcellus shale in this study except that they all belong to black shales?

3.       In Figure 2, please rotate the x-label for better view.

4.       In line 234, the authors mentioned that “However, there is a distinct difference in the REY pattern between the Haynesville samples and the Marcellus sample”. Can you detail the difference between the two shales studied?

5.       In Figure 6, please add y-label, like weight percentage or volume percentage.

 

6.       Please add an outline to figure 8.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The study concerns the implications on release and recovery strategies of rare earths in shale, the enrichment in these shale samples is important in resources recovery. This work is well prepared and the experiments are well organized to understand the question. This manuscript can be accepted for pulication after minor revision. If some key chemical reaction equations can be added, this work would be perfect.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper called Phase Associations of Rare Earths in Marcellus and Haynesville shale: Implications on release and recovery strategies by Shailee Bhattacharya, Vikas Agrawal and Shikha Sharma. The publication presents the research method very well, hhere are some major aspects I would like to highlight.Dear authors, after reading the publication, I have some important comments. I think my comments may help to refine your publication. The publication presents a very important scientifically significant. So you would have to include:

 

1)     The publication sent for review is rather a conference publication, it should be edited.

2)     The title of the publication is incomprehensible, it should be changed.

3)     In the publication, please describe the purpose and scope of the research presented.

4)     What is the impact of this research on the possible development of the economy.

5)     In Conclusions, please provide information about the importance of this research for scientific development.

 

The presented conclusions may be of fundamental importance, therefore they should be presented in a better light and the author’s should emphasize the original research contribution. I believe, that suggested amendments will significantly increase the relevance of the publication and will improve it. After applying all required changes, the paper is suitable for publication.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Thank you for the comments made, the work is suitable for publication