Question

Why is gold extraction from ocean water so challenging?

Answer 1

Gold occurs in sea water at 0.1 to 2 mg/ton (0.1 to 2 ppb by weight) depending on sample location. Compare this to mining from gold ores which is feasible at the level of 1-30 g/ton, depending on depth.. . No wonder no commercially viable mechanism for performing gold extraction from sea water has yet been identified.

Answer 2

Because the density of gold in sea water is low.

Answer 3

This is mainly for points and a wild goose chase! Probability states; the depth and preassures that it must be mined at, maybe the properties of the sodium that corrode the metalic substance, if you get a definate answer, good, cause I'll check back.