Brine valorization through resource mining and CO₂ utilization in the Middle East – A perspective

The production of brines with high TDS level from desalination or oil field extraction activities represents both a major technical challenge and an economical opportunity. Brine management requires careful evaluation of environmental impact, application discharge regulations and economic feasibility, which can vary significantly depending on the method of disposal and treatment. Brine management may be achieved directly by brine disposal, whereby safe discharge of brine is performed to surface water, sewage systems, injections wells or evaporation ponds, or through specific brine treatments, which involve the concentration of solutes from the brine solutions to solid residues to lower the liquid waste volume and tend to zero liquid discharge strategies. This review also emphasizes on circular brine valorization by critically overviewing the extraction processes of value elements such as lithium, uranium, cobalt and cesium from the saturated brines or residues as these elements are rare and hold high economic value. The circularity of brine management is further elaborated by analyzing the current technologies that use brines for carbon capture. The prospects of improving the brine management technologies have also been highlighted to enhance the process sustainability.