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Msg B is an announcement of a process for extracting lithium from
seawater which could make Japan independent of foreign sources
for this element which is used in batteries and could be a
replacement for CFC's as refrigerants.  Presently Japan imports
all its supplies of lithium.  The process at this stage is
reported to be competitive in price with imported sources. 
Lithium is the 16th most abundant element in seawater with a
concentration of about 0.1 mg/kg.

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