Utica/Point Pleasant brine isotopic compositions (δ7Li, δ11B, δ138Ba) elucidate mechanisms of lithium enrichment in the Appalachian Basin

Bonnie McDevitt; Travis L. Tasker; Rachel Coyte; Madalyn S. Blondes; Brian W. Stewart; Rosemary C Capo; J. Alexandra Hakala; Avner Vengosh; William D Burgos; Nathaniel R. Warner

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588

Utica/Point Pleasant brine isotopic compositions (δ⁷Li, δ¹¹B, δ¹³⁸Ba) elucidate mechanisms of lithium enrichment in the Appalachian Basin

Science of the Total Environment

By: Bonnie McDevitt, Travis L. Tasker, Rachel Coyte, Madalyn S. Blondes, Brian W. Stewart, Rosemary C Capo, J. Alexandra Hakala, Avner Vengosh, William D Burgos, and Nathaniel R. Warner

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588

Abstract

Global Li production will require a ~500 % increase to meet 2050 projected energy storage demands. One potential source is oil and gas wastewater (i.e., produced water or brine), which naturally has high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, that can also be enriched in Li (>100 mg/L). Understanding the sources and mechanisms responsible for high naturally-occurring Li concentrations can aid in efficient targeting of these brines. The isotopic composition (δ⁷Li, δ¹¹B, δ¹³⁸Ba) of produced water and core samples from the Utica Shale and Point Pleasant Formation (UPP) in the Appalachian Basin, USA indicates that depth-dependent thermal maturity and water-rock interaction, including diagenetic clay mineral transformations, likely control Li concentrations. A survey of Li content in produced waters throughout the USA indicates that Appalachian Basin brines from the Marcellus Shale to the UPP have the potential for economic resource recovery.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Utica/Point Pleasant brine isotopic compositions (δ7Li, δ11B, δ138Ba) elucidate mechanisms of lithium enrichment in the Appalachian Basin
Series title	Science of the Total Environment
DOI	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588
Volume	947
Year Published	2024
Language	English
Publisher	Elsevier
Contributing office(s)	Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Description	174588, 12 p.
Country	United States
State	Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Other Geospatial	Appalachian Basin
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page