A New Lithium Source That Could Meet 40% of U.S. Demand Discovered in Wastewater from Hydraulic Fracturing.
Wastewater from hydraulic fracturing activities. (Photo: Dall-E).
Scientists have discovered an untapped lithium deposit hidden in wastewater from a hydraulic fracturing natural gas extraction facility in Pennsylvania. The wastewater generated by the hydraulic fracturing process within the Marcellus Shale gas well contains enough lithium to meet 40% of U.S. demand, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports by researcher Justin Mackey from the National Energy Technology Laboratory and colleagues, as reported by Live Science on May 23.
Currently, 90% of the $8 billion global lithium supply is produced in Australia, Chile, and China. This rare element is essential for the production of batteries for electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, smartwatches, and e-cigarettes. The demand for lithium is skyrocketing, with prices increasing by 500% year over year.
The United States has only one active lithium mine in Nevada, meaning a massive amount of lithium must be imported to meet demand. However, due to the importance of lithium in the current transition to green energy, officials at the U.S. Department of Energy aim for all lithium used in the U.S. to be produced domestically by 2030. Several other mines are scheduled to open in states like Nevada, California, and North Carolina. However, lithium extraction remains controversial as it can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and damage natural environments by leaking toxic chemicals into the ground.
The discovery of a lithium deposit in Pennsylvania could lead to new methods of extracting this essential element without the need for more extensive mining operations. The research team found this lithium source through hydraulic fracturing in the region. After testing the wastewater from the process, they found it contained substantial amounts of lithium.
Byproducts of hydraulic fracturing are often considered waste. Oil and gas wastewater is an increasingly significant issue, currently being treated and reinjected at minimal levels, according to Mackey. Thanks to the lithium discovery, workers could extract this valuable element and make use of byproducts from hydraulic fracturing. The efficiency of lithium extraction from wastewater is up to 90%, according to laboratory results. Future research will focus on the environmental impacts of extracting lithium from wastewater and establishing a pilot facility.
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