Where is bromine found in nature?

Bromine is a relatively rare element that does not occur in its free state in nature. Instead, it is found dispersed throughout the Earth’s crust exclusively in the form of soluble and insoluble bromide compounds.1

Key natural sources include:

• Ocean water: Bromine is present in seawater at a concentration of approximately 65 to 70 parts per million by weight.12
• Salt lakes and brines: Significant enrichment occurs in bodies of water such as the Dead Sea, which contains about 5 grams of bromine per liter. Other important sources include natural salt deposits and brines, such as those found in the Great Lakes region and Searles Lake in the United States.12
• Minerals: It is occasionally found in rare, insoluble silver bromide minerals, such as bromyrite, which has been located in regions like Mexico and Chile.1
• Thermal springs: These geological features can also serve as a source of bromine.1