# Iodine

A trace element recovered from Chilean nitrate deserts and Japanese gas brines, essential for X-ray contrast media, displays and human health.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/

Industrial minerals · No. 61

- Not on a critical list
 Industrial minerals · Foundation · Matter

The oceans hold about 90 billion tons of iodine, yet two-thirds of mined supply comes from one Chilean desert.

Chart: Illustration: Iodine

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Iodine is never mined alone. It comes from Chile's Atacama caliche, heap-leached alongside nitrates, from brines pumped with gas in Japan, and from deep brines in Oklahoma.

##### Three things to know

1. Iodine's heavy atom absorbs X-rays, which is why it makes contrast media work, and X-ray contrast is its leading use worldwide.
2. Laminaria seaweeds concentrate iodine up to 0.45% of their dry weight, from seawater holding only 0.06 ppm.
3. By 2010 China declared iodine deficiency eliminated in all but its remotest provinces, largely through iodised salt.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Ore or brine**Atacama caliche or gas-field brines
2. 2 **Leaching**Heap leaching or brine extraction
3. 3 **Blowing-out**Oxidised to crude iodine prill
4. 4 **Refining**Iodine crystal and compounds
5. 5 **End uses**Contrast media, LCD film, drugs, feed
 Covered in [What makes something a commodityCommodities](https://www.materialinsights.org/learn/commodities/what-is-a-commodity/)[Soaps, detergents and agrochemicalsChemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/learn/chemicals/soaps-detergents-agrochemicals/)

##### Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/iodine/links/index.md)