ATACAMA DESERT (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: According to a new study of University of Chile, Chile’s Atacama salt flat is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimetres per year due to lithium brine extraction — a process in which salt-rich water is pumped to the surface and into a series of evaporation ponds to eventually obtain lithium.

Atacama Desert

• Location: It is a high plateau desert situated on the western coast of South America, in the northern region of Chile.
• Borders: Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.
• Volcanoes: Hosts 12 volcanoes, mainly located in the western outliers of the Andes.
• Climate: Very dry and arid
• Driest Desert: The Atacama Desert is the driest nonpolar desert in the world, as well as the only true desert to receive less precipitation than the polar deserts.

Key Findings of the New Study

• Satellite Data Analysis (2020-2023): Researchers at the University of Chile analyzed satellite data from 2020 to 2023 to study deformations in the Earth's crust of the Atacama salt flat, a major lithium source.

oLithium, also known as “white gold”, is one of the most sought-after metals on Earth. It is used in rechargeable batteries, which power not only laptops and mobile phones but also electric vehicles a crucial part of the world’s plan to tackle climate change.

• Deformation in Affected Areas: The worst-affected regions are where mining companies extract lithium-rich brine most intensively.
• Reason for Surface Subsidence: The rapid extraction of brine outpaces the natural recharge of aquifers, causing the Earth's surface to sink (subsidence).
• Extent of the Affected Area: The study identified that the area impacted by subsidence measures approximately 8 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west.

Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining

• Water Consumption for Lithium Production: The brine evaporation method for lithium extraction consumes vast amounts of fresh water, with 2,000 tons of water needed to produce just one ton of lithium. This exacerbates water scarcity in the arid Atacama Desert.
• Contamination of Soil and Water: Chemicals like sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide used in lithium extraction contaminate the environment, harming ecosystems and endangering species.