Brine: Genesis and Sustainable Resource Recovery Worldwide

Abstract

Brine contains cations such as K+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, Li+, B3+, Rb2+, and Cs2+, as well as anions such as SO42−, Cl−, HCO3−, CO32−, NO3−, Br−, and I−, which are valuable elements. Brines are widely distributed in salt lakes in the world's three enormous plateaus and beyond and are classified into three types: sulfate-, chloride-, and carbonate-type brines. Sulfate-type brine forms in salt lakes, whereas carbonate-type brine results from magmatic and hydrothermal activity. Chloride-type brine forms in deep basins due to the reduction and transformation of buried brine. Li in brine plays a critical role in clean energy transitions, and K in brine is important for potash production. Recently, new techniques for extracting Li from brine have been developed, and the large-scale, comprehensive development pattern of brines has formed the basis for a recycling economic model, which contributes to the efficient use of brines for potash and Li2CO3 development and CO2 emission reduction. This article reviews the genesis of brines and highlights new utilization techniques, trends, and sustainable development.

Thermodynamic Predictions of Hydrogen Generation during the Serpentinization of Harzburgite with Seawater-derived Brines

“…Our reaction path model and future work investigating the serpentinization of a broader range of brine and rock compositions provide opportunities to understand the effects of brines and their constituents in controlling the generation of biologically available hydrogen released by serpentinization. Examples of future work could include a focus on sulfate-dominated brines (see Liu et al 2023 for a review) and investigations over broader rock compositions within the ultramafic ternary. This unlocks new assessments to infer the habitability potential of Mars and the ocean worlds of our Solar System where brines are thought to have existed or currently exist (Rivera-Valentin et al 2020;Buffo et al 2020;Weiss et al 2021;McCollom et al 2022;Zandanel et al 2022;Castillo-Rogez et al 2023).…”