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

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

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English
Article number	174588
Journal	Science of the Total Environment
Volume	947
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588
State	Published - 15 Oct 2024
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Commodity
Oil and gas
Produced water
Renewable energy
Thermal maturity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Engineering
Environmental Chemistry
Waste Management and Disposal
Pollution

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588

Cite this

McDevitt, B., Tasker, T. L., Coyte, R., Blondes, M. S., Stewart, B. W., Capo, R. C., Hakala, J. A., Vengosh, A., Burgos, W. D., & Warner, N. R. (2024). Utica/Point Pleasant brine isotopic compositions (δ⁷Li, δ¹¹B, δ¹³⁸Ba) elucidate mechanisms of lithium enrichment in the Appalachian Basin. Science of the Total Environment, 947, Article 174588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588

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

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.",

keywords = "Commodity, Oil and gas, Produced water, Renewable energy, Thermal maturity",

author = "Bonnie McDevitt and Tasker, \{Travis L.\} and Rachel Coyte and Blondes, \{Madalyn S.\} and Stewart, \{Brian W.\} and Capo, \{Rosemary C.\} and Hakala, \{J. Alexandra\} and Avner Vengosh and Burgos, \{William D.\} and Warner, \{Nathaniel R.\}",

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year = "2024",

month = oct,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174588",

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AU - McDevitt, Bonnie

AU - Tasker, Travis L.

AU - Coyte, Rachel

AU - Blondes, Madalyn S.

AU - Stewart, Brian W.

AU - Capo, Rosemary C.

AU - Hakala, J. Alexandra

AU - Vengosh, Avner

AU - Burgos, William D.

AU - Warner, Nathaniel R.

PY - 2024/10/15

Y1 - 2024/10/15

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AB - 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.

KW - Commodity

KW - Oil and gas

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KW - Renewable energy

KW - Thermal maturity

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