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Groundwater in sedimentary basins as potential lithium resource: a global prospective study
Elza J M Dugamin1, Antonin Richard2, Michel Cathelineau2
1GeoRessources, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CREGU, Nancy, France. elza.dugamin@univ-lorraine.fr.
Scientific Reports
|October 27, 2021
Summary
Lithium demand is surging for electric cars. Groundwater in sedimentary basins, particularly in high-salinity areas, offers a significant, untapped resource comparable to traditional mines.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Hydrogeology
- Resource Geology
Background:
- Growing demand for lithium, driven by electric vehicles, necessitates exploration of alternative resources.
- Conventional lithium extraction methods (hard-rock and salar mining) face environmental and social challenges.
- Existing lithium reserves may be insufficient to meet future global demand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze global lithium concentrations in groundwater from sedimentary basins.
- To assess the potential of groundwater as a viable alternative lithium resource.
- To compare groundwater lithium resources with conventional sources.
Main Methods:
- Compilation and analysis of published lithium concentration data from approximately 3000 groundwater samples.
- Geographical scope: 48 sedimentary basins worldwide.
- Correlation analysis between lithium concentration, water salinity (Total Dissolved Solids), and geological settings.
Main Results:
- Highest lithium concentrations (> 102 mg l-1) were identified in high-salinity groundwater (Total Dissolved Solids > 105 mg l-1).
- Lithium concentrations in these groundwater resources are comparable to those found in productive salars.
- Estimated lithium resources in selected sedimentary basins range from 0.1 to 10 million tons, comparable to salars and hard-rock mines.
Conclusions:
- Groundwater in sedimentary basins represents a substantial and largely untapped lithium resource.
- This resource has the potential to significantly contribute to meeting future global lithium demand.
- Further investigation into these groundwater resources is warranted for sustainable lithium extraction.
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