Lithium Mining: A New Threat to Flamingos

Scientists and politicians worldwide regard electric vehicles as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. However, a main component of this sustainable technology is rechargeable batteries. Their production requires lithium, a finite material mined in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Nathan Senner, a population ecologist from the University of South Carolina, explains that as lithium demand rises, these countries’ unique species and ecosystems face profound danger.

In a recent study, expert Nathan Senner examined the impact of lithium mining and rising global temperatures on salt flat lakes or “salares” found in Chile. These lakes are located in the Atacama Desert plateau, the driest place on Earth. Their waters support the growth of cyanobacteria and diatom algae, food sources for the native Andean and James’ flamingo species. Senner’s team of ecologists gathered 30 years’ worth of flamingo surveys, satellite imagery of the Chilean flats’ water surface level, and data regarding the lakes’ cyanobacteria content. 

The researchers learned that the 5 “salares” have shrunk at least 30 percent in surface areas since 1984. Senner believes the culprit is increased evaporation from recent climatic changes in wind, temperature, and humidity. Global warming has created more variability in surface temperatures and weather patterns, meaning certain places such as Chile experience intensified heatwaves. Even worse, long-term drying of the salt lakes has lowered food sources for the native flamingos. 

However, Senner explains that lithium mining activity is strongly correlated with the declining flamingo population. Modern mining techniques begin with pumping water into the lake’s crust. Then, lithium salts and other compounds gather in  “refinement ponds” on the surface. In recent years, mining companies have utilized an estimated 400,000 liters of water per ton of lithium mined. This water is directly sourced from the Atacama Desert’s groundwater reserves. The researchers determined that between 1986 and 2018, groundwater pumping increased from zero to 1.8 cubic meters per second. With more “refinement ponds” in the salt flats, the availability of cyanobacteria and diatom algae has decreased significantly. Over eleven years, populations of Andean and James’ flamingos have declined by 12 and 10 percent, respectively.

The consequences of lithium mining and global warming extend beyond ecological destruction. Nathan Senner suggests that flamingo-based ecotourism in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru will also suffer. For one, Chile's Salar de Atacama is visited by thousands every year. However, as flamingo populations decline and salt lakes dry, its local economies may fail. The experts also believe wide-scale damage to South American flamingo populations may be permanent. Senner explains that the Andean and James’ flamingos reside exclusively in these “salares”.  Governments and organizations must preserve these hypersaline regions to prevent future damage to the economy, geographical beauty, and native species. 

In a final discussion, Nathan Senner examines the two-faced nature of supporting certain “green” technology. The global demand for lithium is expected to quadruple in the next decade, meaning that mining in South America will only increase. More mining will accelerate the production of rechargeable batteries and the development of electric vehicles. Countries can then provide greater public access to electric vehicles and limit carbon emissions from motor vehicles. Despite these benefits, there remain many ecological consequences. This includes harm to the Chilean salt lakes, their flamingo populations, and local tourism-based economies. 

While producing new technology is paramount to defeating climate change, it can also cause ecological damage or intensify pre-existing environmental issues. Companies and governments must weigh the costs and benefits of sustainable technology, including solar panels and turbines. These sustainable technologies require the mining of precious metals under the Earth as well. However, modern advancements provide hopeful solutions to many of these issues including water supply. Researchers remark new water-efficient lithium extraction methods and lithium battery recycling may limit future ecological damage in South America, aiding in the preservation of native species including the beloved flamingoes.

Works cited:

Buehler, J. (2022, March 15). Lithium mining may be putting some flamingos in Chile at risk. Science News Magazine. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/lithium-mining-flamingo-technology-climate-change