Unveiling the Science of Earth's Salt Flats.

Researchers have characterized two different types of surface water in the hyperarid salt flats that contain much of the world's lithium deposits. This new characterization represents a leap forward in understanding how water moves through such basins, and will be key to minimizing the environmental impact on such sensitive, critical habitats. The study found that not all water in the salar is the same, and it's important to treat terminal and transitional pools differently, which means paying more attention to where the water in the pools comes from and how long it takes to get there.