Hattori developed analytical methods that demonstrated the high mobility of palladium as soluble neutral to anionic complexes in surface waters. This behavior allows the metal to disperse widely from its sources, and to become incorporated into plants and organic-rich soil. Her research findings have been presented at various industry-oriented workshops, including short courses associated with the International Platinum Conference in Oulu, Finland, and the Prospectors and Developers Association meeting in Toronto. In addition, her research provided a contrasting perspective to the previously assumed origin of metals in peat from the Hudson Bay Lowland. While it was previously assumed that the metals in peat originated from industrial activity far south of the northern region, she demonstrated that the compositions of ombrotrophic peat are strongly influenced by the underlying rocks, even those located as deep as 20 metres below the surface. This observation further highlighted that the composition of peat may serve as a useful indicator to locate concealed deposits, including kimberlites, which are host to diamonds.
Hattori also examined sturdy minerals that can be dispersed by streams and glaciers to evaluate their usefulness in finding mineral deposits.