Sunday, August 10, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Technology and Engineering

New Study Reveals Major Overestimation of Fresh Water Resources for Lithium Mining

March 26, 2025
in Technology and Engineering
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
An abandoned road and brine transitional pool at the margin of the Salar de Atacama Halite Nucleus.
66
SHARES
598
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

New research from UMass Amherst has revealed alarming discrepancies in the commonly accepted models used to estimate freshwater availability for lithium extraction in the Lithium Triangle, which includes parts of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. This region is pivotal in supplying over half of the world’s lithium resources, essential for the burgeoning green energy market. As electric vehicle production accelerates, and the demand for lithium rises exponentially—expected to increase fortyfold within the next few decades—understanding the region’s water resources is not just an academic concern but a pressing environmental issue.

The study emphasizes that current estimations of freshwater available for mining are vastly overinflated. Historically, scientists have relied on two primary global water models, which suggest that the influx of freshwater into the Lithium Triangle’s basins amounts to between 90 and 230 millimeters per year. However, researchers found that these figures do not accurately represent the reality. Through a comprehensive study of 28 basins, the researchers established their own model—named the Lithium Closed Basin Water Availability model, or LiCBWA—that delivered sobering results.

The findings indicate that the average freshwater inflow, based on LiCBWA, ranges between 2 to 33 millimeters per year for the various basins studied, with an alarming average of just 11 millimeters per year. This stark contradiction raises significant concerns about the sustainability of lithium extraction practices, especially as current mining operations often exceed these available freshwater resources. In light of these revelations, the need for immediate action among local communities, regulators, and the lithium mining industry becomes critical.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lithium’s unique characteristics complicate its extraction. As the lightest metal, it readily reacts with water and exists predominantly in a brine form deep underground. It is typically found in layers of volcanic ash, where it leeches into groundwater through rain or snowmelt. This creates dense brine-filled lagoons below layers of fresh surface water, often home to diverse ecosystems and indigenous communities that depend on these fragile habitats. The study highlights how mining practices threaten both ecological balance and the traditional lifestyles of indigenous peoples.

The lead author, Alexander Kirshen, stressed the methodological challenges faced by researchers due to the extreme aridity and remoteness of the Andes mountains, where the Lithium Triangle is situated. With limited monitoring stations available to assess streamflow and precipitation effectively, understanding the region’s water dynamics requires innovative modeling approaches. The LiCBWA model represents a significant step toward more accurately assessing available water resources for sustainable mining practices.

Moreover, the transition from traditional lithium extraction methods to more modern techniques poses additional challenges. Many sites employing direct lithium extraction (DLE) consume significantly more water than previous evaporative methods. In fact, the study showed that approximately 56% of DLE facilities in the region use more water than their older counterparts, with some utilizing ten times the water needed for evaporation-based processes. This inconsistency highlights an urgent need for the lithium industry to evaluate its water usage patterns critically.

The research underscores the importance of collaboration between scientists, local communities, and industry stakeholders to develop sustainable water management practices. A cooperative effort is essential not only to minimize water consumption but also to integrate effective monitoring systems to accurately gauge changes in precipitation, streamflow, and groundwater levels. Such collaborations are crucial in generating a more precise understanding of the hydrology surrounding lithium extraction.

As the lithium market continues to grow, the researchers advocate for immediate prioritization of water sustainability. The alarming projections related to water scarcity serve as a crucial warning for future mining practices, encouraging an essential reevaluation among regulators and corporations directly involved in lithium extraction. Protecting the critical ecosystems of the Lithium Triangle should not only prioritize profitability but also ensure the livelihoods of local communities are safeguarded.

In addition to the ecological considerations, the ethical implications of lithium mining extend into the economic realm. With indigenous peoples’ rights often overlooked, there must be efforts to include their voices in discussions about resource management and extraction practices. Sustainable lithium mining cannot be achieved without integrating the knowledge and rights of communities that have lived in and cared for the region for generations.

In conclusion, as the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, reevaluating our relationship with natural resources becomes ever more critical. This pivotal research from UMass Amherst presents a fundamental challenge to the existing models of lithium extraction, suggesting that approaches must adapt swiftly to ensure that the environmental integrity of the lithium-rich landscapes is preserved while still supporting the global shift toward sustainable energy. This balance will ultimately determine the viability of lithium mining in the Lithium Triangle and its implications for both local communities and the international community.

Subject of Research: Freshwater inflow for lithium extraction in the Lithium Triangle
Article Title: Freshwater inflows to closed basins of the Andean plateau in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia
News Publication Date: March 26, 2025
Web References: Communications Earth and Environment
References:
Image Credits: Credit: UMass Amherst

Keywords

Lithium, freshwater availability, mining sustainability, environmental impact, lithium triangle, UMass Amherst research, DLE vs. evaporative concentration, indigenous rights, ecological balance, water scarcity.

Tags: climate change and lithium supplyelectric vehicle lithium demandenvironmental impact of lithium extractionfreshwater availability Lithium Triangleimplications for green energy marketLithium Closed Basin Water Availability modellithium mining water resourcesoverestimation of water resourcessustainable lithium mining practicesUMass Amherst lithium studywater management in mining regionswater scarcity in lithium production
Share26Tweet17
Previous Post

Supporting Native Plants in the Face of Climate Change: Safe Strategies for Assisting their Migration

Next Post

City of Hope Research Unravels Two-Step Tumor Formation Process: Key Insights for Cancer Prevention

Related Posts

blank
Technology and Engineering

Enhancing Lithium Storage in Zn3Mo2O9 with Carbon Coating

August 10, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Corticosterone and 17OH Progesterone in Preterm Infants

August 10, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Bayesian Analysis Reveals Exercise Benefits Executive Function in ADHD

August 9, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Emergency Transport’s Effect on Pediatric Cardiac Arrest

August 9, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Bioinformatics Uncovers Biomarkers for Childhood Lupus Nephritis

August 9, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Cross-Vendor Diagnostic Imaging Revolutionized by Federated Learning

August 9, 2025
Next Post
Yun Rose Li, M.D.

City of Hope Research Unravels Two-Step Tumor Formation Process: Key Insights for Cancer Prevention

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27531 shares
    Share 11009 Tweet 6881
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    944 shares
    Share 378 Tweet 236
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    507 shares
    Share 203 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    310 shares
    Share 124 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Massive Black Hole Mergers: Unveiling Electromagnetic Signals
  • Dark Energy Stars: R-squared Gravity Revealed
  • Next-Gen Gravitational-Wave Detectors: Advanced Quantum Techniques
  • Neutron Star Mass Tied to Nuclear Matter, GW190814, J0740+6620

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,860 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading