Ultramafic lands: Sustainability Challenges and Resource Opportunities
Ultramafic lands are geologically and ecologically diverse areas that host naturally elevated concentrations of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and scandium (Sc). While Cr is a potential carcinogen, Co, Mn, Ni, and Sc are considered critical minerals in the United States owing to their importance in current electric battery formulations. The research conducted in this project addresses some of the sustainability challenges and opportunities associated with ultramafic lands, including: (1) evaluating the risks to human and/or ecosystem health following disturbance like fire or off-road vehicle use; (2) understanding the forms, distribution, and mineral residence of the critical elements in soils developed on ultramafic rocks; and (3) evaluating the feasibility of employing green extraction technologies to recover one or more critical elements from domestic ultramafic deposits.
To transition to a carbon-neutral (or carbon negative) economy, terrestrial and biological carbon sequestration must be improved while also securing supplies of critical mineral resources needed for low carbon technologies. The United States currently relies on imports of most of its critical minerals. Therefore, reviving the domestic mineral extraction industry has been a priority of both the past and current administrations to increase our Nation’s resilience to potential disruptions in the supply of these elements. At the same time, it is widely understood that there will be challenges to any new domestic mining unless it is shown to have a minimal deleterious impact on ecosystem and human health.
Ultramafic rocks and soils are important for the transition to a carbon neutral economy because they host mineral deposits that can be enriched in resources like chrysotile, chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and scandium (Sc). They also contain high amounts of Mg, which can be used to capture atmospheric CO2 through direct carbon capture technologies, carbonate mineral formation, or ocean alkalinization. The USGS is mapping the location, size, and grade of ultramafic deposits and derived soils in the western US to assess their potential for carbon sequestration and resource extraction. However, soils derived from these rocks have nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen) that make them inhospitable for many types of plants, and in the Western US they are subject to frequent disturbances from wildfire and recreation, like off-road vehicles. It is unclear whether increased land use on these soils would create additional risks of ecosystem degradation, including potential negative impacts on the health of people and wildlife.
Our project consolidates, synthesizes, and extends the work of several ongoing USGS investigations into ultramafic lands into three tasks that will provide data for ultramafic resource assessments, resource extraction, mined land reclamation, analysis of disturbance (including post-fire effects), and carbon sequestration. This information is essential if we want to assess the potential, benefits, and drawbacks of utilizing ultramafic rocks for resource extraction and carbon sequestration.
Objectives:
The objectives of this project are to: (1) improve our understanding of the location, volume, mineralogy, and critical element composition of Ni-Co laterite mineral deposits and derivative soils of Northern California and Southern Oregon; (2) assess the feasibility of using green technologies (like phytomining) to extract resources from Ni-Co laterite deposits and potentially other ultramafic deposit types; (3) evaluate whether wildfire on ultramafic landscapes creates a higher risk of ecosystem degradation and potential contaminant export than wildfire on other rock types; and (4) quantify the potential for CO2 sequestration and the hazard to aquatic ecosystems posed by short-fiber, high-purity chrysotile asbestos at the New Idria (ultramafic) serpentinite body.
Methodology to Address Issue:
Our work focuses on ultramafic rocks and soils of Northern California and Southern Oregon, particularly Ni-Co laterites, chromites, and serpentinites. We use a combination of field surveys, data synthesis efforts, geospatial tools, laboratory experiments, and geochemical characterization (including microscale mapping like scanning electron microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and synchrotron-based approaches) to identify the location, mineral abundances, and disturbance-induced transformations of ultramafic deposits and soils. The project is divided into three interrelated tasks to identify, characterize, and assess ultramafic landscapes:
Task 1 - Critical Element Characterization and Phytoextraction Potential of Ultramafic Deposits
Activities: Compile geochemistry of known Ni-Co laterite deposits, including domestic exploration and production history. Sample and characterize the geochemistry of known and suspected Ni-Co laterite deposits using modern methods. Estimate potential resources and extent of the deposits.
Task 2 - Ultramafic Soils: Resources, Reclamation, and Resiliency
Activities: Conduct herbarium studies to identify plants suitable for phytoextraction. Estimate potential for phytoextraction on ultramafic landscapes. Quantify whether severe wildfire has an impact on ecosystem recovery and potential contaminant transport in ultramafic landscapes. Compare disturbance resilience of ultramafic landscapes to other soil types.
Task 3 - Data to Inform Land Management at a Historically Mined, World-Class Asbestos Deposit
Activities: Sample water and sediment draining the New Idria Serpentinite body. Assess human and wildfire health risks posed by chrysotile asbestos in the context of recreational use.
Response of plant, microbial, and soil functions to drought and fire in California
MinFrame - Methodological infrastructure needed for resource assessment, modeling, and evaluation
Systems Approach to Critical Minerals Inventory, Research, and Assessment
Ultramafic lands are geologically and ecologically diverse areas that host naturally elevated concentrations of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and scandium (Sc). While Cr is a potential carcinogen, Co, Mn, Ni, and Sc are considered critical minerals in the United States owing to their importance in current electric battery formulations. The research conducted in this project addresses some of the sustainability challenges and opportunities associated with ultramafic lands, including: (1) evaluating the risks to human and/or ecosystem health following disturbance like fire or off-road vehicle use; (2) understanding the forms, distribution, and mineral residence of the critical elements in soils developed on ultramafic rocks; and (3) evaluating the feasibility of employing green extraction technologies to recover one or more critical elements from domestic ultramafic deposits.
To transition to a carbon-neutral (or carbon negative) economy, terrestrial and biological carbon sequestration must be improved while also securing supplies of critical mineral resources needed for low carbon technologies. The United States currently relies on imports of most of its critical minerals. Therefore, reviving the domestic mineral extraction industry has been a priority of both the past and current administrations to increase our Nation’s resilience to potential disruptions in the supply of these elements. At the same time, it is widely understood that there will be challenges to any new domestic mining unless it is shown to have a minimal deleterious impact on ecosystem and human health.
Ultramafic rocks and soils are important for the transition to a carbon neutral economy because they host mineral deposits that can be enriched in resources like chrysotile, chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and scandium (Sc). They also contain high amounts of Mg, which can be used to capture atmospheric CO2 through direct carbon capture technologies, carbonate mineral formation, or ocean alkalinization. The USGS is mapping the location, size, and grade of ultramafic deposits and derived soils in the western US to assess their potential for carbon sequestration and resource extraction. However, soils derived from these rocks have nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen) that make them inhospitable for many types of plants, and in the Western US they are subject to frequent disturbances from wildfire and recreation, like off-road vehicles. It is unclear whether increased land use on these soils would create additional risks of ecosystem degradation, including potential negative impacts on the health of people and wildlife.
Our project consolidates, synthesizes, and extends the work of several ongoing USGS investigations into ultramafic lands into three tasks that will provide data for ultramafic resource assessments, resource extraction, mined land reclamation, analysis of disturbance (including post-fire effects), and carbon sequestration. This information is essential if we want to assess the potential, benefits, and drawbacks of utilizing ultramafic rocks for resource extraction and carbon sequestration.
Objectives:
The objectives of this project are to: (1) improve our understanding of the location, volume, mineralogy, and critical element composition of Ni-Co laterite mineral deposits and derivative soils of Northern California and Southern Oregon; (2) assess the feasibility of using green technologies (like phytomining) to extract resources from Ni-Co laterite deposits and potentially other ultramafic deposit types; (3) evaluate whether wildfire on ultramafic landscapes creates a higher risk of ecosystem degradation and potential contaminant export than wildfire on other rock types; and (4) quantify the potential for CO2 sequestration and the hazard to aquatic ecosystems posed by short-fiber, high-purity chrysotile asbestos at the New Idria (ultramafic) serpentinite body.
Methodology to Address Issue:
Our work focuses on ultramafic rocks and soils of Northern California and Southern Oregon, particularly Ni-Co laterites, chromites, and serpentinites. We use a combination of field surveys, data synthesis efforts, geospatial tools, laboratory experiments, and geochemical characterization (including microscale mapping like scanning electron microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and synchrotron-based approaches) to identify the location, mineral abundances, and disturbance-induced transformations of ultramafic deposits and soils. The project is divided into three interrelated tasks to identify, characterize, and assess ultramafic landscapes:
Task 1 - Critical Element Characterization and Phytoextraction Potential of Ultramafic Deposits
Activities: Compile geochemistry of known Ni-Co laterite deposits, including domestic exploration and production history. Sample and characterize the geochemistry of known and suspected Ni-Co laterite deposits using modern methods. Estimate potential resources and extent of the deposits.
Task 2 - Ultramafic Soils: Resources, Reclamation, and Resiliency
Activities: Conduct herbarium studies to identify plants suitable for phytoextraction. Estimate potential for phytoextraction on ultramafic landscapes. Quantify whether severe wildfire has an impact on ecosystem recovery and potential contaminant transport in ultramafic landscapes. Compare disturbance resilience of ultramafic landscapes to other soil types.
Task 3 - Data to Inform Land Management at a Historically Mined, World-Class Asbestos Deposit
Activities: Sample water and sediment draining the New Idria Serpentinite body. Assess human and wildfire health risks posed by chrysotile asbestos in the context of recreational use.