Recent research published in Science Advances unveils groundbreaking insights into the chemical mechanisms governing lithium-rich brine deposits in salt flats.
Boron, not carbonate, plays a dominant role in controlling pH within lithium-bearing brines, challenging traditional understanding.
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the world's largest salt flat, holds vast lithium-rich brine reserves crucial for sustainable energy solutions.
Understanding the unique chemistry of lithium brines is essential for improving lithium recovery efficiency and developing eco-friendly processing methods.
The research highlights the significant influence of boron compounds on brine alkalinity and pH balance during evaporation processes.
Insights from the study open new avenues for optimizing lithium extraction by managing boron chemistry more precisely.
The discovery emphasizes the fundamental shift from carbonate to boron alkalinity in maintaining chemical equilibrium in brines.
By quantifying boron species' contributions to brine alkalinity, the study underscores boron's global dominance in lithium brine chemistry.
Understanding the role of boron in pH control enhances process controls in mining, reducing environmental impacts and increasing lithium yield efficiency.
Research on boron's pH modulation in lithium brines offers potential for more efficient, cleaner, and safer lithium mining practices, vital for global energy transitions.