Lithium mining could impact water quality and environment, study says
A recent study by researchers at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment examined the water quality impacts of a historic lithium mine in North Carolina, specifically near Kings Mountain. Conducted by a team led by Avner Vengosh, a distinguished professor of environmental quality, the research highlights the presence of elevated levels of lithium, rubidium and cesium in waters connected to the mine site. The findings, published in Science of the Total Environment, provide critical insights into how abandoned lithium mines can impact local water supplies.
Contaminants and findings from the research
The research revealed that concentrations of common pollutants such as arsenic, lead, copper and nickel remained below standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, significant amounts of lithium and less common metals such as rubidium and cesium were identified in groundwater and nearby surface water. These elements, although not federally regulated, were noted at concentrations atypical for natural water sources in the region.
In one statement Gordon Williams, the study’s lead author and a doctoral candidate at Duke University, said the findings raise questions about the potential health and environmental effects of these metals. Laboratory tests simulating natural conditions also showed that the mine’s wastes did not contribute to harmful acid runoff, a phenomenon often associated with mining activities such as coal mining.
Future lithium exploration and implications
The study highlighted that while the impact of the old mine has been documented, the environmental impacts of active lithium mining and processing remain unresolved. Vengosh reportedly said that processing methods, which include chemical treatments to extract lithium, could introduce new challenges to water quality in the area if mining activities were to resume.
Efforts are now underway to expand the study to include assessments of drinking water quality in lithium-rich zones in North Carolina, the report said. By analyzing private wells and surface water, the researchers aim to provide more clarity about the long-term effects of lithium mining on local water systems.
