Lithium cycle
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 a trace element in silicate minerals.[1] Lithium concentrations are highest in the upper continental and oceanic crusts. Chemical weathering at Earth’s surface dissolves lithium in primary minerals 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, providing approximately 50% of marine inputs.[2] The remainder of lithium inputs come from hydrothermal venting at mid-ocean ridges, where lithium is released from the mantle.[1] Secondary clay formation removes dissolved lithium from sea water to the altered oceanic crust.[1]
Geochemical tracers
Lithium isotopes have potential as viable geochemical tracers for processes such as silicate rock weathering and crust/mantle recycling due to significant lithium isotope fractionation during these processes.[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.