Scientists find Serbian mineral almost identical to Superman's kryptonite
Scientists discovered a rare white mineral called Jadarite in Serbia in 2004, later finding that its chemical composition closely matched Superman's fictional Kryptonite. Unlike the glowing green substance, Jadarite is neither green nor radioactive. New research suggests the mineral could supply a significant portion of Europe's lithium needs for electric vehicles, although local opposition has…
A white mineral discovered in Serbia, named Jadarite, has striking similarities to the Kryptonite that weakens Superman in comics and movies. Originally identified in 2004, Jadarite truly came to the attention of scientists in 2007 when its chemical composition was compared to that of Kryptonite. While the Serbian mineral is white, powdery, and not radioactive, it does not share the same fictional properties.
Jadarite's potential applications in the electric vehicle industry have drawn the attention of researchers, as it contains lithium, which is crucial for battery production. With an estimated 100 million tonnes of Jadarite in the deposit, it could potentially provide nearly all of Europe's lithium needs for electric vehicles. However, plans for mining the mineral have faced local opposition, preventing mining operations from proceeding.
Scientists are still investigating why Jadarite is found only in Serbia. A study led by Francesco Putzolu and colleagues at London's Natural History Museum concluded that the mineral formed due to a unique combination of volcanic activity and highly alkaline soda lakes existing in the region up to 16 million years ago. This rare combination of geological conditions makes it unlikely that Jadarite will be discovered in other locations.
Despite its potential, the extraction of Jadarite remains controversial due to strong opposition from local communities. Researchers hope that understanding Jadarite's formation could help identify other deposits and further discussions about the mineral's future use.
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