Scientists in the US have developed a low-cost method for extracting lithium from seawater. This method is being declared as a sustainable method by scientists.
Global demand for lithium has increased over the years due to the popularity of electric vehicles. The production of this metal can increase from 5 lakh metric tons in 2021 to 4 million metric tons by 2030.
Traditionally, lithium has been extracted from rocks, which is an expensive and energy-consuming process that requires the use of toxic chemicals.
For some time, miners have been extracting lithium by steaming the water of a salt lake containing the metal. This method is also quite expensive and harmful to the environment. Moreover, the availability of salt lakes depends on the specific climatic conditions.
Researchers say the cost of the new method of extracting lithium from brine is 40 percent lower than existing methods.
