The modern world runs on electronic devices and energy systems that are powered by valuable elements such as lithium and uranium. There are a limited number of terrestrial mines that produce energy-critical elements, which makes the supply of these materials prone to disruption. So researchers are looking to an unconventional source: seawater. Almost every element on the periodic table can be found in global oceans–but most are dissolved in ultralow concentrations. In this episode of  Stereo Chemistry, we’ll hear from scientists in the United States and European Union about why they’re interested in extracting metals and minerals from seawater and how they’re using chemistry to do it.   A transcript of this episode will be available soon at cen.acs.org.   Download the Chemistry News by C&EN mobile app for   iOS  and   Android.    Learn more about   lithium mining  from our September 2022 episode.   Credits   Producers: Ariana Remmel, Kerri JansenWriter: Mitch JacobyAudio editor: Mark Feuer DiTusaStory editors: Gina Vitale, Craig BettenhausenCopyeditor:  Sabrina AshwellShow logo design: William A. LudwigEpisode artwork: Shutterstock/C&EN StaffMusic (in order of appearance): “Daydream” by Ikoliks, “Distance” by Daniel BrownSound effects (in order of appearance): “Small waves, rocks and beach” from BigSoundBank.com  Contact  Stereo Chemistry: Tweet at us @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

Mining metals and minerals from seawater

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