Lithium cycle
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The lithium cycle (Li) is the biogeochemical cycle of lithium through the lithosphere and hydrosphere.
Sinks and Fluxes
Lithium is widely distributed in the lithosphere and mantle, as it is a trace element in silicate rocks.[1] Lithium concentrations are highest in the upper continental and oceanic crusts. Chemical weathering at Earth’s surface dissolves primary mineral lithium and releases it to rivers and ground waters. Lithium can be removed from solution by formation of secondary minerals like clays, oxides, or zeolites.[1]
Rivers eventually feed into the ocean, creating a flux from run-off that comprises ~50% of lithium input into the ocean.[2] The remainder of lithium input into the ocean comes from hydrothermal venting at mid-ocean ridges, where lithium is released from the mantle.[1] Oceanic lithium exists in significant concentrations in seawater and the altered oceanic crust. Like the process occurring in rivers, secondary clay formation removes dissolved lithium from sea water, creating a lithium flux to the altered oceanic crust.[1]
Geochemical Tracer
Lithium isotopes have potential as viable geochemical tracers for processes such as silicate rock weathering and crust/mantle recycling due to significant fractionation.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Tang, Yan-Jie; Zhang, Hong-Fu; Ying, Ji-Feng (2007). "Review of the Lithium Isotope System as a Geochemical Tracer" (PDF). International Geology Review. 49: 874–888.
- ^ a b c d e f von Strandmann, Philip A.E. Pogge; Kasemann, Simone A.; Wimpenny, Josh B. (2020). "Lithium and Lithium Isotopes in Earth's Surface Cycles". Elements. 16 (4): 253–258. doi:10.2138/gselements.16.4.253. ISSN 1811-5217.