Vanadium for Green Energy: Increasing Demand but With Health Implications in Volcanic Terrains

Abstract

The transition to a clean energy future may require a very substantial increase in resources of vanadium. This trend brings into focus the potential health issues related to vanadium in the environment. Most vanadium enters the Earth's crust through volcanic rocks; hence, vanadium levels in groundwaters in volcanic aquifers are higher than in other aquifers and can exceed local guidance limits. The biggest accumulation of volcanogenic sediment on the planet is downwind of the Andes and makes up much of Argentina. Consequently, groundwaters in Argentina have the highest vanadium contents and constitute a global vanadium anomaly. The high vanadium contents have given rise to health concerns. Vanadium could be extracted during remediation of domestic and other groundwater, and although the resultant resource is limited, it would be gained using low‐energy technology.

Commentary on the role of polyoxometalates in nature cybernetic loop

“…Depending on the region, volcanic lake waters 14,15 exhibit pH 0.5−1.5, 2.1−2.7, 3.5−5, or 6−6.5. According to Parnell, 16 “ Groundwaters in volcanic terrains contain high vanadium contents ” and “ Vanadium contents are acutely high in Argentina due to inheritance from volcanic rocks in the Andes .” Under such acidic conditions, 17,18 the formation of [V V O 2 ] + cations, protonated decavanadate anions H x [V V 10 O 28 ] (6− x )− , or highly reduced polyoxovanadoarsenates with incorporated SO 4 2− ions present in a geothermally active environment 19 is in principle possible. In the solid state, reduced vanadium‐containing POMs are found, for example, in the mineral morrisonite Ca 11 [As III V IV 2 V V 10 As V 6 O 51 ] 2 ·78H 2 O.…”

“…Depending on the region, volcanic lake waters 14,15 exhibit pH 0.5−1.5, 2.1−2.7, 3.5−5, or 6−6.5. According to Parnell, 16 "Groundwaters in volcanic terrains contain high vanadium contents" and "Vanadium contents are acutely high in Argentina due to inheritance from volcanic rocks in the Andes. "…”