discovered to be present in 99% of bottled water. Typically, researchers have been searching for methods to eliminate these substances, as they do not seem to degrade naturally over time, hence their designation as “forever chemicals.” Nonetheless, one group of researchers appears to have proposed an alternative approach by finding a method to utilize forever chemicals to extract lithium, thus providing us with yet another means to acquire one of the essential elements required for the production of lithium-ion batteries.
Forever chemicals are more scientifically referred to as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. They represent a category of synthetic chemicals that have been incorporated into various consumer goods since the 1950s due to their remarkable resistance to heat, water, and grease. Although some of the most prevalent varieties have been gradually eliminated over the years, they continue to persist in the environment and have even been associated with cancer. This is why there has been considerable effort from scientists to explore ways to eradicate them — such as bacteria that consume forever chemicals.
However, based on this innovative research, which employs forever chemicals to extract lithium from high-salinity brine pools, there may be a pathway not only to remediate the presence of forever chemicals in the environment but also to assist us in procuring more lithium as well.