Context:
A recent study has revealed that the Atacama salt flat in Chile is experiencing land subsidence as a direct result of lithium mining activities. This highlights the environmental challenges associated with the extraction of lithium, a vital component in modern technologies.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key findings of the study related to lithium mining’s environmental impact
- About Lithium
Key findings of the study related to lithium mining’s environmental impact:
- Subsidence in Atacama: The Atacama salt flats in Chile are sinking between 1 to 2 centimeters annually due to lithium brine extraction. This method involves pumping salt-rich water from underground, which exceeds the natural recharge rate of the aquifers, causing the ground to sink.
- Water Usage: The lithium extraction process is highly water-intensive, requiring about 2,000 tons of water to produce just one ton of lithium. This significant water usage exacerbates existing water scarcity issues in the Atacama Desert, adversely impacting both the local communities and the broader ecosystem.
- Environmental Contamination: Chemicals such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, used in the lithium extraction process, contribute to soil and water contamination. This contamination poses risks to various species and harms the ecological balance.
- Impact on Wildlife: A notable decline in flamingo populations in the Atacama region has been observed, attributed to lowered water levels from the extraction process, which impacts the birds’ reproduction rates.
Implications for Reasi, J&K:
- Water Crisis: The region already faces water access challenges, particularly after the construction of the Chenab Rail Bridge which led to the drying up of perennial streams. Lithium mining, which requires substantial water resources, could exacerbate these issues.
- Biodiversity Risks: The Himalayan region of J&K, known for its biodiversity and status as an eco-sensitive area, could see significant ecological damage. The mining operations threaten the habitats of migratory birds such as the Common Teal and Northern Pintail, which rely on the region’s lakes, marshes, and wetlands.
- Food Security: The extensive use of resources for mining, including high carbon emissions and significant alterations in land and water use, could jeopardize food security in the region.
- Riparian Pollution: Given that the Himalayas are the source of numerous rivers, the mining activities risk polluting these critical water bodies, affecting the entire riparian ecosystem downstream.
About Lithium:
- Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
- It is the lightest of all the metals and the least dense solid element.
- It is highly reactive and flammable, and easily oxidizes in air or water.
Occurrence:
- Lithium is a rare element and is mostly found in minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite, and petalite.
- It is also found in brines and clays in certain regions of the world, such as the “Lithium Triangle” in South America, which includes Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Uses:
Lithium has a range of industrial applications, including:
- Lithium-ion batteries: It is a critical component of rechargeable batteries used in mobile devices, laptops, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems.
- Aerospace industry: Lithium is used in the manufacturing of aircraft parts due to its lightweight and strong structural properties.
- Glass and ceramics: Lithium is used in the production of heat-resistant glass and ceramics, such as ovenware and laboratory equipment.
- Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
- Lubricants: Lithium is used in greases and lubricants due to its ability to reduce friction and wear.
- In conclusion, lithium is a rare and highly reactive metal that has a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries, aerospace industry, glass and ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and lubricants.
-Source: Indian Express
