Termite mound in Australia [image credit: Wikipedia]
So termites could lead us to the solution to…
CO2-generating termites? The wizardry of would-be planet savers – or could it be the sharpness of opportunists? – never ceases to amaze.
Hidden metal deposits needed to transition the world to low emission technologies can be discovered using metallic blue crusts in soils and on termite mounds as signposts, according to new research from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.
CSIRO’s study in the southern Pilbara region of WA used new advances in sample analysis to show how metallic blue crusts, known as manganese crusts, display unique zinc signatures that indicate the presence of other base metals in the surrounding area, reports Technology.org.
The manganese crusts are also found in rock and cave varnishes, making them an easily accessible exploration tool for base metals including nickel and cobalt, which will support the world’s transition to a low emissions future.
Dr Sam Spinks was lead scientist on the research and said CSIRO’s innovative new exploration tools and processes are helping to tackle the global challenge of sustainable energy and resources.
“Australian explorers need new, cost-effective techniques to find the next generation of deposits below the surface,” Dr Spinks said.
“As the world transitions to a low emission future, there’s a need for more nickel and cobalt to build electric vehicles and batteries to store renewable energy.
“We’ve shown that analysing zinc isotopes found in manganese crusts have huge potential to be used to explore for these metal deposits, and others.”
Full report here.
via Tallbloke’s Talkshop
February 25, 2020 at 01:28PM
Iowa Climate Science Education 