How to Find Bromine in the Wild

The element bromine is not found by itself in nature. It has to be separated from other compounds, professionally, in order to be used. At room temperature it appears as a mahogany-colored liquid, but it also forms a noxious gas with a bleach-like odor. Because of the seriousness of prolonged or excessive exposure to bromine, it is not normally gathered by individuals. Instead, companies harvest 330,000 tons of the element each year through underground mines and salt-water sources, for use in such things as swimming pool purifiers, fire retardants, and solvents.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Shovel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Locate a natural source of salt water. Salt water average 65 ppm (parts per million) bromine.

   • 2

     Find an area where the water has evaporated, leaving a salty residue on the surface.

   • 3

     Gather the salt-evaporate for professional separation.