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National News Release Breadcrumb 1. National News Release Unlocking Arkansas' Hidden Treasure: USGS Uses Machine Learning to Show Large Lithium Potential in the Smackover Formation By Communications and Publishing October 21, 2024 RESTON, Va. -- Using a combination of water testing and machine learning, a U.S. Geological Survey-led study estimated between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium reserves are located beneath southwestern Arkansas. If commercially recoverable, the amount of lithium present would meet projected 2030 world demand for lithium in car batteries nine times over. The study's novel methodology, carried out collaboratively by the USGS and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Office of the State Geologist, made it possible to quantify the amount of lithium present in brines located in a geological unit known as the Smackover Formation. Extracting lithium from brines co-produced during oil and gas operations provides an opportunity to extract a valuable commodity from what would otherwise be considered a waste stream. "Lithium is a critical mineral for the energy transition, and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for employment, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. This study illustrates the value of science in addressing economically important issues," said David Applegate, USGS Director . The Smackover Formation is a relic of an ancient sea that left an extensive, porous, and permeable limestone geologic unit that extends under parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. It dates to the Jurassic geological time period and is known for its rich deposits of oil and bromine. In recent years, the Smackover Formation has also gained attention for potential lithium in brines--high-salinity waters associated with deep salt deposits. "Our research was able to estimate total lithium present in the southwestern portion of the Smackover in Arkansas for the first time. We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more. It is important to caution that these estimates are an in-place assessment. We have not estimated what is technically recoverable based on newer methods to extract lithium from brines," said Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study's principal researcher. Global demand for lithium, a critical mineral essential for battery production, has increased substantially in recent years. This trend is projected to persist as the transition from fossil fuels to electric and hybrid vehicles intensifies, underscoring the mineral's growing significance in energy technology advancements. The U.S. relies on imports for more than 25% of its lithium. The USGS estimates there is enough lithium brought to the surface in the oil and brine waste streams in southern Arkansas to cover current estimated U.S. lithium consumption. The low-end estimate of 5 million tons of lithium present in Smackover brines is also equivalent to more than nine times the International Energy Agency's projection of global lithium demand for electric vehicles in 2030. The USGS predictive model provides the first estimate of total lithium present in Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas, using machine learning, which is a type of artificial intelligence. Samples from Arkansas were analyzed by the USGS Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental lab in Reston, VA, and then compared with data from historic samples within the USGS Produced Waters Database of water from hydrocarbon production. The machine learning model was then used to combine lithium concentrations in brines with geological data to create maps that predict total lithium concentrations across the region, even in areas lacking lithium samples. "The USGS - and science as well-- works best as a partnership, and this important research was possible because of our strong partnership with the Office of the Arkansas State Geologist," said Dr. Knierim. Since 1879, the USGS has been the nation's primary source of impartial scientific information on geologic, energy and mineral resources. The USGS also tracks lithium production, demand and imports in the U.S. as part of its role mandated by the Energy Act of 2020 to maintain the whole of government List of Critical Minerals. Map of the U.S. showing inset with a shaded area indicating Smackover Formation and Sampling area. See description for details. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details This map of the U.S. shows an inset area displaying highlighted areas for the Smackover Formation and sampling area. The Smackover formation (highlighted in yellow) covers the southern to eastern portion of Texas, southern portion of Arkansas, the upper half of Louisiana and some eastern areas, southern half of Mississippi, southwest area of Alabama, and portions of the Florida panhandle. The sampling area is located in the lower portion of Arkansas (highlighted with red stripes). The study, which was published in Science Advances, can be found at https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp8149. Get Our News These items are in the RSS feed format (Really Simple Syndication) based on categories such as topics, locations, and more. You can install and RSS reader browser extension, software, or use a third-party service to receive immediate news updates depending on the feed that you have added. 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RSS Icon Arkansas News RSS Icon Energy News RSS Icon Minerals News RSS Icon National News Release News Authors Seth Amgott Strategic Communications Advisor Communications and Publishing Email samgott@usgs.gov Contacts Katherine J Knierim, Ph.D. PG Hydrologist Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center Email kknierim@usgs.gov Phone 501-607-2653 Back to Top Science * Science Explorer * Mission Areas * Programs * Regions * Science Centers * Observatories * Laboratories * Frequently Asked Questions * Educational Resources * Special Topics Products * Data * Maps * Publications * Multimedia Gallery * Web Tools * Software * U.S. Board on Geographic Names * The National Map * USGS Library * USGS Store * Park Passes News * Featured Stories * News Releases * Science Snippets * Technical Announcements * Employees in the News * Get Our News * Media Contacts * I'm a Reporter * Newsletters Connect * Headquarters * Locations * Staff Profiles * Social Media * Careers * Contact Us About * About Us * Survey Manual * Organization * Key Officials * Congressional * Budget * Careers and Employees * Doing Business * Emergency Management Legal * Accessibility * FOIA * Site Policies * Privacy Policy * Site Map * DOI and USGS link policies apply * No FEAR Act * USA.gov * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy Agency logo U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram RSS Contact USGS 1-888-392-8545 answers.usgs.gov Was this page helpful?