Exploring the seas for sustainability, U.S. scientists are testing seaweed as a possible miner of key minerals needed for green energy.
Moira Donovan reports for Hakai Magazine.
In short:
- U.S. researchers, backed by ARPA-E, are investing in projects to determine if seaweeds can efficiently extract and concentrate valuable minerals like platinum and rhodium.
- Experiments have indicated that seaweeds might also be processed into biofuel components and phosphorus-rich mineral extracts.
- Marine biologist Susete Pintéus highlights that while seaweed mining won't replace traditional methods, it can augment the supply of essential minerals.
Key quote:
"It’s worth exploring other possibilities that align more with our ideas of a greener world—or a bluer world."
— Schery Umanzor, lead researcher, University of Alaska at Fairbanks
Why this matters:
Harnessing seaweed for mineral extraction could lead to less environmentally invasive mining methods, offering a dual benefit of protecting marine ecosystems while sourcing critical materials for technology and energy solutions.
In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.
