Abstract

Over a billion tons of brine are handled yearly by industries to produce minerals and chemicals. This makes it one of the largest processed ores in the world. These minerals and chemicals are used in the processing of fertilizers, detergents, paper, plastics, preservatives, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, metals, and glass. Sodium chloride alone is used in 14,000 different products.

Compounds of boron, bromine, calcium, iodine, lithium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium are all produced from brine. There is an endless supply of some of these chemicals in the oceans. Most of the brine is concentrated by solar evaporation in shallow ponds that saves energy and eliminates pollution by not burning fossil fuel.