A recent study has revealed a surprising discovery in Pennsylvania’s fracking wastewater – a significant amount of the critical clean energy mineral, lithium. The study estimates that the lithium content in the state’s wastewater could potentially fulfill up to 40 percent of the country’s domestic needs.
Pennsylvania has been a focal point for the fracking industry, with vast natural gas deposits attracting drilling activities across the state. The initial estimations of accessible natural gas reserves in the state were substantial, leading to the fracking boom that began in 2007. Since then, over 13,000 unconventional wells have been drilled in Pennsylvania.
The latest study conducted by researchers at the National Energy Technology Laboratory has shed light on the presence of lithium in the wastewater produced by Pennsylvania’s unconventional wells. The findings indicate that around 1,160 metric tons of lithium per year could potentially be extracted from this wastewater, sourced from a combination of fracking fluids and water from underground formations.
Lithium is a crucial mineral essential for various clean energy technologies, particularly in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. The lithium present in Pennsylvania’s produced water is believed to have originated from ancient volcanoes that were active during the formation of natural gas deposits, with the lithium seeping into the underground water over time.
Lead investigator of the study, Justin Mackey, emphasized the importance of such discoveries in advancing climate goals and decarbonizing the economy. He highlighted the efforts of the research community in the U.S. to identify materials and methods that support sustainable energy practices.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition, a trade group focused on the Marcellus Shale formation, expressed enthusiasm over the study’s findings, underscoring the potential of Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas resources to contribute to the country’s energy needs.
This new revelation regarding the lithium content in Pennsylvania’s fracking wastewater not only highlights the unexpected sources of critical minerals but also raises concerns about how this discovery may impact future fracking activities in the state.
