From mine to mind and mobiles – Lithium contamination and its risk management

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Nanthi Bolan - , University of Western Australia, University of Newcastle (Author)
  • Son A. Hoang - , University of Newcastle, Mientrung University of Civil Engineering (Author)
  • Mohsin Tanveer - , University of Tasmania, CAS - Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (Author)
  • Lei Wang - , CAS - Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (Author)
  • Shiv Bolan - , University of Newcastle (Author)
  • Prasanthi Sooriyakumar - , University of Newcastle (Author)
  • Brett Robinson - , University of Canterbury (Author)
  • Hasintha Wijesekara - , Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (Author)
  • Madhuni Wijesooriya - , Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (Author)
  • S. Keerthanan - , University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Author)
  • Meththika Vithanage - , University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Author)
  • Bernd Markert - , Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks (Author)
  • Stefan Fränzle - , Work Group Environmental Process Engineering (Author)
  • Simone Wünschmann - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Binoy Sarkar - , Lancaster University (Author)
  • Ajayan Vinu - , University of Newcastle (Author)
  • M. B. Kirkham - , Kansas State University (Author)
  • Kadambot H.M. Siddique - , University of Western Australia (Author)
  • Jörg Rinklebe - , University of Wuppertal, Sejong University (Author)

Abstract

With the ever-increasing demand for lithium (Li) for portable energy storage devices, there is a global concern associated with environmental contamination of Li, via the production, use, and disposal of Li-containing products, including mobile phones and mood-stabilizing drugs. While geogenic Li is sparingly soluble, Li added to soil is one of the most mobile cations in soil, which can leach to groundwater and reach surface water through runoff. Lithium is readily taken up by plants and has relatively high plant accumulation coefficient, albeit the underlying mechanisms have not been well described. Therefore, soil contamination with Li could reach the food chain due to its mobility in surface- and ground-waters and uptake into plants. High environmental Li levels adversely affect the health of humans, animals, and plants. Lithium toxicity can be considerably managed through various remediation approaches such as immobilization using clay-like amendments and/or chelate-enhanced phytoremediation. This review integrates fundamental aspects of Li distribution and behaviour in terrestrial and aquatic environments in an effort to efficiently remediate Li-contaminated ecosystems. As research to date has not provided a clear picture of how the increased production and disposal of Li-based products adversely impact human and ecosystem health, there is an urgent need for further studies on this field.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number118067
JournalEnvironmental pollution
Volume290
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34488156

Keywords

Keywords

  • And sediment, Bioavailability, Lithium in soil, Remediation, Risk management, Toxicity, Water