Seawater Lithium Evolution and the Origins of Lithium-Rich Brines

A record of seawater lithium concentration also carries an implication for understanding lithium-rich basinal brines. Ancient seawater contained 5 to 15 times more lithium than today, highlighting that evaporated Paleozoic–Mesozoic seas and basinal brines derived from them represent an economic lithium resource and may therefore be attractive targets for lithium exploration.