Lithium In Water Research Articles

Towards an environmental quality standard (EQS) for lithium in fresh water

Lithium (Li), because of its widespread and increasing use in Li-ion batteries, is an element of vital importance to the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable energy (green energy). Extraction and refining operations, as well as utilisation in a growing number of applications, are expanding and thus increasing the environmental releases of Li. In order to evaluate consequences of such releases, and to risk assess the accumulation of Li in aquatic ecosystems, environmental quality standards (EQS) are needed so that measured concentrations can be evaluated. Satisfactory EQS for Li are yet to be established and therefore derivation of Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNECs), or interim EQS, are vital for environmental protection. This study compiled Li freshwater ecotoxicology data from global literature, screened and evaluated it, and then employed it to derive PNECs for short term exposures (i.e. concentrations unlikely to cause harm if their duration is short) and PNECs for standard condition exposures (i.e. concentrations unlikely to cause harm if their duration is continuous) in freshwater ecosystems. The generated dataset comprised 194 individual ecotox endpoints from 31 reference sources, spanning 28 species from 10 separate taxonomic groups (broad organism types). The derived PNECs recommended for consideration in environmental regulation are 0.622 mg/L for short term exposures and 15.2 μg/L for standard condition exposures, but with potential adjustment for site specific water conditions incorporating water hardness, dissolved organic carbon concentration and pH.

Determination of lithium concentration in formation water by NMR relaxometry method

A procedure has been proposed for determining the concentration of lithium in formation waters using NMR relaxometry. The method allows to determine quickly lithium content at concentrations of industrial interest. Experiments showed good agreement of the proposed method with the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.

Lithium capacity of Kazakhstan mineral resource base

Relevance. Weak knowledge of the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan on lithium raw materials previously mined in the East Kazakhstan region. Aim. To study lithium raw material base in the Republic of Kazakhstan and prospects for the extraction of lithium raw materials. Methods. Content analysis of all information on the subject of the mineral resource base of lithium in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Results. Within the Republic of Kazakhstan, ore deposits of scapolite pegmatites and lithium-bearing greisens-hydrothermal growths are known along alkaline granites. Residual lithium reserves from previously developed rare metal deposits that are equivalent to 36.3 thousand tons of Li2O, predicted resources of known lithium occurrences are estimated at 140 thousand tons of Li2O. It is possible to develop known rare metal deposits with the extraction of tantalum, niobium, beryllium and associated extraction of spodumene concentrate. GRK «Ognevsky Mining and Processing Plant» is already planning to put back to mining of tantalum and beryl (with the associated extraction of spodumene concentrate – up to 2.5 thousand tons/year) at the Bakennoe deposit and processing the resulting ore concentrates at the operating Ulba metallurgical plant of Kazatomprom. With regard to lithium-bearing hydro-mineral resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the situation is more complicated, due to the data limitations on the completeness of formation water testing and the reliability of data on surface waters of stagnant lakes. Such oil and gas fields as Karachaganak (up to 196 mg/l Li2O), Kolkuduk (up to 130 mg/l Li2O), Teplovskoe (up to 82.5 mg/l), Urikhtau (up to 52 mg/l) and Western Opak (up to 45 mg/l) are known for high concentration of lithium in formation waters. First two deposits are ready for oil and gas development and production with an annual extraction of up to 1 thousand tons of lithium carbonate. With regard to the lithium content of stagnant lakes of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it should be noted almost total lack of reliable information on sampling their surface waters. Given the fact of finding industrially significant lithium-bearing hydro-mineral lake deposits in adjacent regions of China and Mongolia, it is necessary to intensify the thematic works to assess the lithium content of endorheic lakes throughout the Republic of Kazakhstan, with sampling not only of surface waters, but also of natural brine, lake mud, saline clayey rocks of solonchaks and takyrs.

Constraining the properties of the heat sources of high-temperature hydrogeothermal systems: Evidence from the lithium concentrations of geothermal waters

The properties of the heat source determine the exploitation potential and scientific research value of a high-temperature hydrothermal geothermal system. Existing hydrogeochemical and geophysical methods for discriminating heat sources have noticeable shortcomings, and an economic and universally applicable discrimination method is needed. In this study, three groups of typical geothermal waters from magmatic and non-magmatic geothermal systems in China were taken as the research objects. The Li concentrations of these geothermal waters were analyzed and the differences in their Li enrichment mechanisms were explored, while taking the cooling process of the geothermal water and the water–rock interactions into consideration. Finally, a more economical and universal new method for determining whether a hydrothermal geothermal system has a magmatic heat source based on the Li concentration was developed. The results show that: (1) the main ions in the magmatic geothermal waters were Na, HCO3, and Cl, but for the main ions in the non-magmatic geothermal waters were Na, Ca, and SO4. (2) Generally, the Li concentrations of the magmatic geothermal water samples were significantly higher than those of the non-magmatic geothermal water samples and most of the geothermal waters with a magmatic heat source were characterized by Li concentration of ≥5 mg/L and reservoir temperatures of ≥150 °C, while the geothermal waters with a non-magmatic heat source did not have this characteristic. (3) The magmatic geothermal waters mainly underwent the conductive and adiabatic cooling processes and also experienced cold-water mixing, whereas the non-magmatic geothermal waters mainly experienced cold-water mixing and conductive cooling. (4) Li-bearing mica was the main source of the Li from the host rocks and the amount of Li that removed by the adsorption of octahedral silicate minerals was greater in the magmatic geothermal systems than in the non-magmatic geothermal systems. (5) The additional amount of Li and heat provided by magmatic fluids were the key factors causing the Li enrichment, and the water–rock interactions between the geothermal waters and the host rocks were not sufficient to make the Li concentration of the geothermal waters reach 5 mg/L. (6) The Li concentration can be used universally to indicate the properties of the heat source of hydrothermal high-temperature geothermal system. In this study, a universal method for discriminating the heat sources of hydrothermal high-temperature geothermal systems based on the Li concentration was developed. Our findings provide a theoretical basis and effective method for evaluating types of geothermal resource and are of great significance for understanding the enrichment of lithium in geothermal water.

Electrical Conductivity of Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, and Quaternary Ammonium Salts in Water, Acetonitrile, Methanol, and Ethanol over a Wide Concentration Range

Electrical Conductivity of Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, and Quaternary Ammonium Salts in Water, Acetonitrile, Methanol, and Ethanol over a Wide Concentration Range

The Effect of pH and Sodium Silicate Dosage on the Separation of Magnesium and Lithium from Artificial Brine Water Using Chemical Precipitation Techniques

This study aims to report the findings of an investigation into the separation of lithium and magnesium ions in the artificial brine water. The artificial brine water contains concentrations of magnesium, calcium, and lithium cations that closely resemble the concentrations seen in natural brine water sourced from Gunung Panjang using magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and lithium chloride p.a. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of pH and the addition of sodium silicate on the separation of magnesium and calcium ions from lithium ions in artificial brine water. The best outcomes were achieved when the pH of the brine water was set at 10, and sodium silicate was added in a stoichiometric ratio of 219%. These parameters led to a lithium content of 90.06%, magnesium removal of 70.32%, and a Mg/Li ratio of 6.29, indicating a substantial presence of magnesium ions precipitated as solids with pyroxene (MgSiO3) phase. This research also succeeded in increasing the lithium content by 94.28% and reducing the Mg/Li ratio to 4.96 after the precipitated solids were subjected to a water-leaching process.

Contrasting sources and enrichment mechanisms in lithium-rich salt lakes: A Li-H-O isotopic and geochemical study from northern Tibetan Plateau

Lithium (Li), a crucial mineral resource for modern high-tech industries, is notably abundant in the northern Tibetan Plateau, primarily within lithium-rich salt lakes. However, the exploration and development of these resources are hindered due to an incomplete understanding of their nature and origin. Here we present results from a comprehensive study on the hydrochemical parameters, whole-rock geochemistry, H-O isotopes, and Li concentrations in surface brine, river water, geothermal springs, and associated rocks from two representative lithium-enriched salt lakes, the Laguo Co (LGC) and Cangmu Co (CMC) in Tibet to understand the genetic mechanisms. Our water-salt balance calculations and H-O isotopic analysis reveal that Li in LGC and CMC primarily originates from the Suomei Zangbo (SMZB, ∼91%) and Donglong Zangbo (DLZB, ∼75%) rivers, respectively. It is estimated that the LGC and CMC took a minimum of 6.0 ka and 3.0 ka to accumulate their current lithium resources, respectively. The distinct geological characteristics reflect evolutionary differences between the two lakes, suggesting diverse lithium sources and enrichment processes. The high lithium ion concentration and light lithium isotope composition in the SMZB river waters indicate the genetic relationship with lithium-enriched geothermal springs in the Tibetan Plateau. Our results suggest that lithium in the LGC originates from lithium-enriched geothermal springs and is primarily supplied through the small-scale SMZB river. In contrast, the formation and evolution of CMC are influenced by the northern Lunggar rifts, receiving a prolonged and stable input from the DLZB, resulting in high lithium concentrations and isotopic values. The absence of lithium-enriched geothermal springs and the prevalence of silicate rocks in the CMC catchment suggest that lithium may be sourced from the weathering of silicate rocks, such as granitic pegmatite veins containing lithium-rich beryl, widely distributed in the upstream area of DLZB. The forward modeling approach, quantifying the contribution fractions of different reservoirs (atmospheric precipitation, silicate, carbonate, and evaporite), indicates that the distinct lithium concentrations in the mainstream (>1 mg/L) and tributaries (<0.1 mg/L) are positively correlated with the ratio of silicate contributions to carbonate contributions, suggesting that dissolved lithium in river waters primarily originates from the weathering and dissolution of silicate rocks. The distinct sources and enrichment mechanisms of lithium in these two salt lakes are attributed to various evolutionary processes, topographical features, hydrological factors, fundamental geological settings, and tectonic histories, despite their spatial proximity. Furthermore, our study highlights the significant role of rivers in the formation of young salt lakes, in addition to geothermal springs.

It Is Easy To Find Lithium; Turning a Profit Is Hard

Finding lithium in the water from oil and gas wells is easy. Finding enough to make money is hard. In the US and Canada there has been growing interest in directly extracting lithium from the water coming out of the oil/water separator, which is competing with more established techniques such as mining and evaporating lithium-rich fluids. The race to find lithium is driven by expectations that fast-rising electric car sales will make the lithium required for batteries in those vehicles a valuable commodity. Those chasing direct extraction are also betting that their innovations can do what they say. Direct extraction from water started looking like a real possibility earlier this year when ExxonMobil paid $100 million to buy a company holding 120,000 gross acres of leases in south Arkansas. The price reflected the location in the heart of the direct lithium extraction industry of the future. The area offers a unique combination of lithium-rich water plus the infrastructure and expertise needed to transport, process, and dispose of the billions of gallons of water needed for industrial-scale mineral extraction. Commercial production of battery-quality lithium carbonate in Arkansas is years off. But the sprawling network of water-producing wells, pipelines, and processing that have made the state one of the world’s leading bromine producers, lowers the risk and cost of commercial lithium production. The source of the lithium-rich water is the Smackover—an oil formation discovered near El Dorado, Arkansas, back in 1921 when a gusher blew in. A year after that discovery, there were 608 producing wells nearby, according to the El Dorado News-Times. Now with lithium looking like battery gold, investors are rushing in. In this emotional market, lithium carbonate prices have swung like cryptocurrency. As of mid-October, a ton of it was selling for about $25,000. Over the past quarter it averaged $32,000/ton. Late last year it stood at $85,000. And in 2021 it was going for $10,000, said Graham Bain, vice president for subsurface opportunities at Enverus. He offered $25,000/ton as a “go forward price.” As with oil and gas, hopes of high prices have a way of rapidly increasing supplies, resulting in price-crashing gluts. So far, most oil companies sound curious but far from committed to lithium. “There’s a big rush. I have received several requests from companies in the Permian Basin to discuss lithium in the water,” said Jean-Philippe Nicot, senior research scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) at The University of Texas at Austin. He is the lead author on recent paper that offered a primer on what’s known about lithium brines from oil wells in states from Texas to Mississippi. It is based on nearly 1,802 water analyses from the US Geological Survey (USGS)—some dating back to the 1960s—plus a recent 576-well survey by the BEG. The geologists, whose work ranged from hard-rock mining to water research, said this is an early effort to begin figuring out how to find the lithium in subsurface water.

Enrichment Mechanism of Lithium in Geothermal Waters from a Bedrock Reservoir in Xiong’an New Area, China

The lithium concentrations in the geothermal waters of the Wumishan Formation carbonate reservoir in China Xiong’an New Area are over 1 mg/L and are even higher than those in the geothermal waters of granite reservoirs in some areas of China. It is still unknown which are the most important factors controlling the lithium concentrations in the geothermal waters in the study area. This article selected the analysis and test data of 32 geothermal water samples obtained in recent years from the study area and combined them with hydrochemical analysis and test data from granite reservoirs in other regions of China to study the enrichment mechanism of lithium in the geothermal waters in the study area. The results of the hydrochemical data analysis indicate that the lithology, pH, and water–rock interaction between geothermal water and carbonate rocks are not the main factors affecting the lithium concentrations in the study area. The mixing of paleo-seawater and the leaching of the evaporated rocks formed by it are the most important factors controlling the lithium concentrations in the study area, and temperature is also an important factor affecting the lithium concentrations. The research results are of great significance to the study of the enrichment mechanism of lithium in geothermal waters and the formation mechanism of geothermal waters in similar areas around the world.

Lithium Prospectivity in the Northeast German and Thuringian Ba-sins

Over the years many boreholes have been drilled into the Northeast German Basin (NEGB) in pursuit of the exploration of hydrocarbons. As well as gaining important information regarding petrophysical and geophysical data, legacy boreholes also provide information regarding total dissolved solids in formation water, which sometimes includes lithium concentrations. With the rapid increase in demand for electric vehicles in combination with EU net-zero targets, lithium is a vital component of the future of the energy industry as it transitions away from fossil fuel dependence.&#x0D; So, where can we find lithium, how much of it is there, and where does it come from? After extracting lithium content data from formation water trace element data, we can answer two of these questions. The data gathered [1] is from boreholes drilled in the NEGB (in the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Sachsen-Anhalt) and the Thuringian Basin. The Northeast German Basin makes up the eastern part of the North German Basin, which, in turn, is part of the Southern Permian Basin. It is located between the Baltic Shield to the north and the Variscan belt to the south [2]. The basin contains up to 12km of Phanerozoic strata [2], the evolution of which began with Late Carboniferous/Early Permian (Stephanian/Autunian) volcanism [3, 4, 5, 6]. In the NEGB increased concentrations of lithium can be found within the Zechstein Staßfurt Carbonate (Ca2) and the Rotliegend. In Brandenburg the highest values of 230 mg/L can be found in the geothermal well doublet Groß Schönebeck which was drilled into sedimentary Rotliegend and Permo-Carboniferous volcanics. Comparable values (190 mg/L) can be found in formation water samples of the Ca2 in the well Lübben 103. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, lithium contents of 600 mg/L were encountered in the Rotliegend of the well Gristow 7, with lithium contents in the Ca2 of the nearby well Gristow 6h2 reaching 300 mg/L. The Reinkenhagen field (which targeted the hydrocarbons of the Ca2) has several wells which exhibit lithium contents in the Ca2 of up to 140 mg/L. In Sachsen-Anhalt elevated lithium values are limited to the Ca2. The Fallstein field, originally drilled for the exploration of hydrocarbons, encountered lithium contents of up to 189 mg/L. Spatial distribution of the lithium data can be seen in Figure 1 along with current geothermal projects. Also displayed are areas of proven and suspected geothermal potential.&#x0D; The Thuringian Basin is located between the Harz Mountains and the Thuringian Forest Mountains, the formation of which was part of the intramontane sudsidence zone of the Variscan mountains [7]. The trough shaped sedimentation area of the basin was formed in the early Mesozoic [8]. In Thuringia, as in Sachsen-Anhalt, elevated lithium values are limited to the Ca2. The fields of Kirchheilingen, Langensalza, and Mühlhausen all have multiple wells which show lithium contents of up to 200 mg/L.&#x0D; The source of lithium in formation water is not well understood and therefore cannot be clearly defined. A case study in Thurinigia focusing on Zechstein salts in Gorleben and Morlseben made the assumption that lithium content in the salt brines were leached from phyllosilicate bearing units (T4, A3, Ca3, T3) in the Zechstein [9]. Other sources discussed include relict metamorphic brines and organic compounds. A different study focusing on Rotliegend Ca-Cl brines in the&#x0D; North German Basin found that brines rich in lithium originated from the leaching of lithium rich mica in the Lower Rotliegend (volcanics) [10]. If lithium accumulation in formation waters is related to Permo/Carboniferous rocks, it is possible that deep faults may have acted as conduits for lithium rich brines to migrate into overlying formations [11]. This may be a plausible theory as this dataset shows that elevated lithium contents in the Ca2 can be found within the carbonate margin facies in areas through which major faults run. This is especially evident on the northern basin margin.&#x0D; Ultimately the data compiled from both basins will be used to perform a lithium in place analysis.

Lithium in drinking water: is it really a real reducing in mortality?

Studies of the hypothetical association between lithium in drinking water and suicide rates are considered. It is noted that some studies provide evidence of a negative association between the concentration of lithium in water and the risk of suicide, while other studies do not find convincing evidence of such association. Obviously, this issue requires further epidemiological studies that would take into account the impact of additional, primarily socioeconomic, factors.&#x0D; The authors of the article express the opinion that, regardless of the ability of lithium in drinking water to reduce the mortality of the population, lithium preparations, due to their obvious and proven anti-suicidal properties in pharmacological application, should be used more often in clinical practice.

Solid-Liquid Phase Equilibria of Quaternary System LiBr-NaBr-KBr-H2O and Its Subsystems at 348.15 K.

In view of the composition characteristics of lithium, calcium, and bromine rich in Nanyishan oilfield water of the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai Province, the phase equilibrium relationships of quaternary system LiBr-NaBr-KBr-H2O and its ternary subsystems LiBr-NaBr-H2O and LiBr-KBr-H2O at 348.15 K were studied by the isothermal solution equilibrium method, and the equilibrium solid-phase crystallization regions and composition of each invariant point in each system were determined. The results show that there is no complex salt or solid solution in ternary systems LiBr-NaBr-H2O and LiBr-KBr-H2O at 348.15 K, and the phase diagram contains only one invariant point, two isothermal univariate curves, and two equilibrium solid-phase crystallization regions. The quaternary system LiBr-NaBr-KBr-H2O also has no formation of complex salt or solid solution, and the phase diagram contains only one invariant point, three isothermal univariate curves, and three equilibrium solid-phase crystallization regions. Meanwhile, the phase equilibrium relationships and change laws of each component of the above-mentioned systems at different temperatures were compared and discussed.

Recovery of critical metals from spent Li-ion batteries: Sequential leaching, precipitation, and cobalt–nickel separation using Cyphos IL104

This study presents a novel recycling scheme for spent Li-ion batteries that involves the leaching of lithium in hot water followed by the dissolution of all transition metals in HCl solution and their separation using the ionic liquid Cyphos IL104. The parametric studies revealed that >84 % Li was dissolved while the cathode material was leached at 90 °C for 2 h. Approximately 98 % Li from the non-acidic solution was directly precipitated as Li2CO3 at a Li+:CO32− ratio of 1:1.5. The transition metals from the Li-depleted cathode mass were efficiently (>98 %) dissolved in 3.0 mol·L−1 HCl at 90 °C for a 3 h leaching process. Manganese from the chloride leach liquor was selectively precipitated by adding KMnO4 at a 1.25-fold higher quantity than the stoichiometric ratio, pH value 2.0, and temperature 80 °C. The remaining co-existing metals (Ni and Co) were separated from the chloride solution by contacting it with a phosphonium-based ionic liquid at an equilibrium pH value of 5.4 and an organic-to-aqueous phase ratio of 2/3. The loaded ionic liquid was quantitatively stripped in 2.0 mol·L−1 H2SO4 solution, which yielded high-purity CoSO4·xH2O crystals after evaporation of the stripped liquor. Subsequently, ∼99 % nickel was recovered as nickel carbonate [NiCO3·2Ni(OH)2] from the Co-depleted raffinate by the precipitation performed at Ni2+:CO32− ratio of 1:2.5, pH value of 10.8, and temperature of 50 °C. Finally, a process flow with mass and energy balances yielding a high recovery rate of all metals in the exhausted cathode powder of spent LiBs was proposed.

Environmental lithium exposure in the north of Chile - Tissue exposure indices

&#x0D; Background: northern Chile has the highest levels of lithium in surface waters in the world which is reflected in very high lithium levels in the plants and animals that depend on these water systems and consequently in the indigenous population.&#x0D; Methods: the lithium tissue burdens in populations from two valleys in the extreme north of Chile have been studied. The bulk of this report is based on analyses of lithium levels in urine, hair, and breast milk in the population of several villages. Data on serum levels, some of which had been previously published, are included for the sake of completeness. Since this paper reports studies by several groups of workers samples were analysed by a variety of methods. These include atomic emission, atomic absorption, other photospectroscopic techniques and mass spectroscopy.&#x0D; Results: in all samples studied the average lithium level (5.3 ppm) was found to be significantly elevated compared to levels reported in the literature and measured in this study for people not exposed to high levels in water and food (0.009-0.228 ppm).&#x0D; Conclusions: the people studied represent a unique longitudinal cohort. The work should provide important insights into the potential neuroprotective effects of lithium also help us set guidelines to assess the risks from high dose environmental exposure.&#x0D;

Lithium in Drinking Water as a Public Policy for Suicide Prevention: Relevance and Considerations.

Although suicide is considered a major preventable cause of mortality worldwide, we do not have effective strategies to prevent it. Lithium has been consistently associated with lowering risk of suicide. This effect could occur at very low concentrations, such as trace doses of lithium in tap water. Several ecological studies and recent meta-analysis have suggested an inverse association between lithium in water and suicide in the general population, with a lack of knowledge of clinically significant side effects. This paper is aimed as a proposal to discuss the addition of lithium to drinking water to decrease the suicide rate. For this, we review the evidence available, use previous experiences, such as water fluoridation to prevent dental caries, and discuss the complexity involved in such a public policy. Considering the limited data available and the controversies contained in this proposal, we suggest that a consensus on lithium concentration in water is needed, where the suicide rates start to reduce, as happened with water fluoridation. This measure will require to develop community-controlled trials with strict monitoring of any side effects, where democratic procedures would constitute one of the most appropriate ways to validate its implementation according to the reality of each community.

Lithium extraction from geothermal waters; a case study of Ömer-Gecek (Afyonkarahisar) geothermal area

Lithium (Li) is the lightest metal, has unique physicochemical properties and is the main component of lithium-ion batteries. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries play a very important role in maximizing the performance of electric devices and vehicles. It is predicted that the metal and mineral demand for lithium-ion batteries will increase 56 times by 2050. In order to meet the increasing demand, in addition to known methods, lithium recovery from geothermal waters has become a very popular research subject. There are abundant geothermal water resources in the world, especially in Turkey and in Afyonkarahisar. The aim of this study is to produce an adsorbent for the retention of lithium in geothermal waters and to remove lithium ions from geothermal water with the help of this adsorbent. Geothermal samples for lithium enrichment were obtained from Ömer-Gecek (Afyonkarahisar), where hosts geothermal resources with low-medium enthalpy containing 3.5 mg/L Li. In this context, an inorganic adsorbent was developed by using MnCO3, LiOH and sodium silicate. The characterization and performance parameters of the adsorbent were investigated. As a result of adsorption experiments in fixed bed column, we can perform calculations based on a ton of adsorbent in a column with natural water feed rate of 1.63 t/h. The outcome is 236.7 g of Li, which is equivalent to 2519.6 g of Li2CO3 in 41.6 h. Our findings show that the adsorbent developed in our study can be used to retain Li+ from geothermal waters.

Lithium can mildly increase health during ageing but not lifespan in mice.

Lithium is a nutritional trace element, used clinically as an anti‐depressant. Preclinically, lithium has neuroprotective effects in invertebrates and mice, and it can also extend lifespan in fission yeast, C. elegans and Drosophila. An inverse correlation of human mortality with the concentration of lithium in tap water suggests a possible, evolutionarily conserved mechanism mediating longevity. Here, we assessed the effects of lithium treatment on lifespan and ageing parameters in mice. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic dose range, and overdosing can severely affect organ health. Within the tolerable dosing range, we saw some mildly positive effects of lithium on health span but not on lifespan.

Assessment of Lithium, Macro- and Microelements in Water, Soil and Plant Samples from Karst Areas in Romania.

Lithium is a critical element for the modern society due to its uses in various industrial sectors. Despite its unequal distribution in the environment, Li occurrence in Romania was scarcely studied. In this study a versatile measurement method using ICP-MS technique was optimized for the determination of Li from various matrixes. Water, soil, and plant samples were collected from two important karst areas in the Dobrogea and Banat regions, Romania. The Li content was analyzed together with other macro- and microelement contents to find the relationship between the concentration of elements and their effect on the plants’ Li uptake. In Dobrogea region, half of the studied waters had high Li concentration, ranging between 3.00 and 12.2 μg/L in the case of water and between 0.88 and 11.1 mg/kg DW in the case of plants, while the Li content in the soil samples were slightly comparable (from 9.85 to 11.3 mg/kg DW). In the Banat region, the concentration of Li was lower than in Dobrogea (1.40–1.46 μg/L in water, 6.50–9.12 mg/kg DW in soil, and 0.19–0.45 mg/kg DW in plants). Despite the high Li contents in soil, the Li was mostly unavailable for plants uptake and bioaccumulation.

Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters-Potential for Health Benefits?

There is increasing epidemiologic and experimental evidence that lithium (Li) exhibits significant health benefits, even at concentrations lower than the therapeutic oral doses prescribed as treatment for mental disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the content of Li in 18 brands of bottled natural mineral waters that are available on the Portuguese market and from which the sources are found within the Portuguese territory, to provide data for Li intake from drinking water. Analyses of Li were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results indicate highly different Li concentrations in natural mineral waters: one group with low Li concentrations (up to 11 µg Li/L) and a second group with Li concentrations higher than 100 µg/L. The highest Li concentrations (>1500 µg Li/L) were observed in the highly mineralized Na-HCO3 type waters that are naturally carbonated (>250 mg/L free CO2). As a highly bioavailable source for Li dietary intake these natural mineral waters have potential for Li health benefits but should be consumed in a controlled manner due to its Na and F− contents. The consumption of as little as 0.25 L/day of Vidago natural mineral water (2220 µg Li/L), can contribute up to 50% of the proposed daily requirement of 1 mg Li/day for an adult (70 kg body weight). In future, Li epidemiological studies that concern the potential Li effect or health benefits from Li in drinking water should consider not only the Li intake from tap water but also intake from natural mineral water that is consumed in order to adjust the Li intake of the subjects.

Sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) composite cation exchange membrane for selective recovery of lithium by electrodialysis

Lithium is in demand since decades due to high applicability in batteries for electronic devices, which is expected to increase by 8 to 11% every year and Lithium ion battery market is estimated to grow to € 180 billion by 2024. Land deposits and seawater are two major sources of lithium but availability in sea water is higher than land. So an efficient technology is required to recover the lithium from sea water. Electrodialysis (ED) may be an alternate approach to recover the lithium from sea by selective ion exchange membranes. Here, Lithium selective ion exchange membranes have been synthesized by modification of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with lithium selective nanomaterial. Synthesized membranes were characterized for their chemical, structural and morphological structures and uniform dispersion of lithium selective nanomaterials. Composite membrane shows better lithium exchange capacity with excellent lithium conductivity as compared to SPEEK membrane. The adsorption of lithium (15.2 mg/g) found to be five times higher than that of Mg while recovery of lithium was 64% using electrodialysis process by NC-4 composite membrane. Selectivity factor for composite membrane were 4.82, 3.0 and 2.17 for Li/Mg, Li/K and Li/Na, respectively. The selective composite membranes can be suitable for Li-ion recovery from sea brine/bittern on large scale.