The Salton Sea is a lake that has faced very significant environmental problems. Its ecosystem has completely deteriorated (over-salinization, pollution by eutrophication and heavy metals, etc.) and today it is only a shadow of itself. It still has one big advantage: its immense reserves of lithium.
This lake is located in southern California, in the Imperial Valley, 225 kilometers east of San Diego. The Lawrence Berkey National Laboratory in the United States conducted a recent study that exposed the colossal quantities of lithium lying dormant in what remains of the lake. These estimates exceed all previous ones. Between this new discovery and that of the ancient supervolcano of the McDermitt caldera, this year is a good pick for the Americans!
A colossal energy potential as much as a danger to health
According to the most recent estimates, the energy capacity of the lake would be sufficient to supply 375 million electric vehicles with lithium, the equivalent of 3,400 kilotons of this chemical element. An inordinate amount of white gold, which would place the Salton Sea among the largest natural deposits in the world.
In the context of a potential shortage of lithium by 2025, this discovery could change the situation. However, if it is considered ” worst ecological disaster in the Western State », it’s certainly not for nothing. The lake, as it has dried up for years, disperses into the air particles of heavy metals (selenium for example), pesticides and other toxic residual products accumulated in the lake for years. Fine particles also emanate from it, algae decompose there and fish die there. A real time bomb.
Economic and environmental implications
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, has no use for these ecological considerations and is instead rubbing his hands. He compares the Salton Sea to “ a Saudi Arabia of lithium “, rather representing a major opportunity for the USA to follow the path to self-sufficiency. If the reserves are exploited optimally, job creation could also be affected very positively. One more weapon to slip into your holster in the context of the economic war with China.
This lithium reservoir could, in fact, propel the USA to first place in the global lithium market, by far. Theoretically. Since to properly exploit such a vein, it will be necessary to be patient so that the installations are fully operational.
Source : Clean Automotive
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