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From power to plants: unveiling the environmental footprint of lithium batteries

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Abstract

Widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries in electronic products, electric cars, and renewable energy systems has raised severe worries about the environmental consequences of spent lithium batteries. Because of its mobility and possible toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, lithium, as a vital component of battery technology, has inherent environmental problems. Leaching of lithium from discharged batteries, as well as its subsequent migration through soil and water, represents serious environmental hazards, since it accumulates in the food chain, impacting ecosystems and human health. This study thoroughly analyses the effects of lithium on plants, including its absorption, transportation, and toxicity. An attempt has been made to examine how lithium moves throughout plants through symplastic and apoplastic pathways and the factors that affect lithium accumulation in plant tissues, such as soil pH and calcium. This review focuses on the possible toxicity of lithium and its impact on ecosystems and human health. Aside from examining the environmental impacts, this review also emphasizes the significance of proper disposal and recycling measures in order to offset the negative effects of used lithium batteries. The paper also highlights the need for ongoing research to develop innovative and sustainable techniques for lithium recovery and remediation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jorbagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi, 110003, India

    Dharmendra K. Gupta

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (Deemed to Be University), Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore, 641114, India

    Aswetha Iyer & Sevanan Murugan

  3. Bankura Christian College, Bankura, 722101, West Bengal, India

    Anindita Mitra

  4. Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Post Bag 2, Tezpur, 784001, Assam, India

    Soumya Chatterjee

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  1. Dharmendra K. Gupta
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  3. Anindita Mitra
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  4. Soumya Chatterjee
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  5. Sevanan Murugan
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All authors (DKG, AI, AM, SC, SM) contributed equally and approved the final MS.

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Correspondence to Dharmendra K. Gupta.

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Gupta, D.K., Iyer, A., Mitra, A. et al. From power to plants: unveiling the environmental footprint of lithium batteries. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 26343–26354 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33072-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33072-9

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