Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal with a low melting point.
It has high thermal conductivity and low viscosity.
Reacts strongly with water to form lithium hydroxide and flammable hydrogen gas.
Reactive with nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor in the air, forming lithium hydroxide, lithium nitrate, and lithium carbonate on its surface.
3. Presence in Water and Health Effects
Lithium is present in small amounts in natural waters due to weathering of rocks and minerals.
It is generally non-toxic at low levels and can be absorbed by plants.
Exposure to very high levels of lithium can cause eye, skin, respiratory tract irritation and even pulmonary edema.
Lithium compounds such as lithium carbonate are used in low doses to treat bipolar disorder.
4. Water Treatment Applications and Removal Methods
Lithium ions are monovalent cations that can generally be removed from water with strongly acidic cation exchange resins.
However, lithium has a low affinity compared to most other cations, so leakage from the resin may occur before other ionic species in the matrix.
Lithium can only be selectively removed as an aluminum complex using special ion exchange resins.
5. Industrial Use in Water Treatment
Lithium has limited applications directly in water treatment other than removal by ion exchangers.
Some lithium compounds such as lithium chloride and lithium bromide are used in air conditioning systems to absorb moisture.
6. Case Study or Real World Application Example
Lithium purification from brine for production of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for lithium batteries.
Lithium removal from lithium battery industry wastewater using ion exchange, precipitation, and electrodialysis methods.
7. Regulatory Guidelines and Standards
There are no WHO or EPA guidelines for maximum lithium levels in drinking water.
Some countries have guidelines for maximum lithium levels in drinking water, such as Russia (0.03 mg/L).
8. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Considerations
The extraction of lithium from brine and other mineral deposits can have environmental impacts due to water consumption and waste disposal.
The increasing demand for lithium batteries is driving the development of more sustainable lithium recycling technologies.
9. Future Trends and Water Treatment Research
Research into more effective and environmentally friendly methods of purifying lithium from brine, such as solvent extraction and lithium-selective membranes.
Development of sustainable lithium recycling technologies from used batteries and wastewater.
10. Interesting Facts Related to Water Treatment
Very low levels of lithium in drinking water may have mental health benefits, while high levels may have negative impacts. Further research is needed.
The “Lithium Triangle” in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile contains about 75% of the world’s lithium reserves in the form of brine ponds.
