LITHIUM EXTRACTION : GEOGRAPHY
NEWS
: Chile’s Atacama salt flat sinking due to
lithium mining: What a new study says
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
Lithium, also known as 'white gold', is one of the
most sought-after metals on Earth. However, over the years, research has shown
that lithium mining has had severe environmental fallouts, especially in
countries such as Chile which are the leading producers of the metal
Lithium
Extraction and Subsidence in Atacama
- Subsidence: The Atacama salt flat is sinking
by 1 to 2 cm annually, primarily in areas with active lithium extraction.
- Mechanism: Rapid brine extraction
exceeds natural aquifer recharge, causing the Earth's surface to sink.
Environmental
Consequences of Lithium Mining
- Water Scarcity: Lithium extraction via
brine evaporation consumes 2,000 tons of water per ton of lithium,
worsening water scarcity in the arid Atacama Desert.
- Ecosystem Contamination: Chemicals like sulfuric
acid and sodium hydroxide used in extraction contaminate soil and water,
threatening local ecosystems.
- Biodiversity Loss: A 2022 study linked
reduced water levels from lithium mining to declining flamingo populations
in the region.
Atacama
Desert Overview
- Driest Place on Earth: Receives less than 1 mm of
rainfall per year.
- Location: Northern Chile, between
the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range.
- High Altitude: Elevation ranges from
2,400 to over 4,500 meters.
- Salt Flats: Home to Salar de Atacama,
a major lithium source.
- Unique Flora and Fauna: Supports species like the
Andean flamingo, adapted to extreme dryness.
- Astronomical Observatories: Ideal location due to
clear skies and high altitude; houses the ALMA telescope.
Lithium
Overview
- Rechargeable Batteries: Essential for batteries in
electronics and electric vehicles.
- Symbol and Atomic Number: Represented by
"Li," atomic number 3.
- Reserves: Predominantly found in the
"Lithium Triangle" (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia).
- Lightest Metal: Lowest density of all
solid elements, useful in lightweight battery applications.
- Industrial Uses: Also used in ceramics,
glass, and as a heat-resistant lubricant.
Brine
Evaporation Method for Lithium Extraction
- Collection: Lithium-rich brine is
pumped from underground salt flats into evaporation ponds.
- Evaporation: Water evaporates naturally,
leaving behind concentrated lithium salts.
- Extraction: Lithium salts are
processed into lithium carbonate or hydroxide for batteries and other
uses.
- Environmental Impact: Significant freshwater
usage, potential water depletion, and soil contamination.