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The chapter deals with some important aspects of the relationship of lithium and nickel with the ecosystem, which consists mainly of soil, water, plants and air. Some aspects of lithium and nickel use in the energy industry are also mentioned. We begin by considering the fact that the metallic elements lithium and nickel, either alone or in the form of their chemical compounds, are currently considered potential energy materials whose applicability is increasing with the transition to the mass use of electricity and batteries for powering motor vehicles. Both lithium and nickel are commonly found in nature. Even in relatively low concentrations, their presence is very dangerous or even toxic to some animals and biological organisms. On the other hand, certain plants and animals are a natural part of ecosystems and are unable to survive with-out their presence because they are vital to them. This contradiction and its implications form the main content of this chapter. The most significant effects of lithium and nickel in the environment, particularly in soil, water and plant systems, are presented. The interconnectedness between soil, water and plants is shown in relation to each other. Some of the analytical methods used for the detection of lithium and nickel are also given. In addition, some specific results are presented, which are not intended to specify particular locations in the field, but rather to highlight the ability of researchers to monitor the presence of lithium and nickel in the environment and to create conditions for their removal and possible reuse.

Lithium (Li) is taking frontline in electronic items and vehicles world-wide. Great uses of Li draw attention and are in demand everywhere, hence production also increases daily. The major problem with Li is its toxicity, which eventually enters human and animal life via the food chain. It is non-degradable and has a long shelf-life — it can sustain anywhere for a more extended period but causes much toxicity to the host. Removal of Li is a big challenge, and expensive methods need to be employed. Thus, environmentalists came up with a sustainable approach called phytoremediation — the use of plants to clean up hazardous contaminants. In this method, the plant, or hyperaccumulator, grows on Li-contaminated soils and absorbs a higher concentration of Li without compromising its own immunity. In this chapter, we reviewed the source, pathway of contamination and remediation of Li using plant species.

Lithium (Li) and nickel (Ni) are two of the most widely used metals in various industrial applications. Since they are available for plants’ uptake from the soil, excessive plant exposure to high doses of both metals may be tolerable or not for accumulating species and sensitive species, respectively. Many plants adopt a number of powerful detoxification techniques in their fight for survival. Among them, the antioxidant defence system is a crucial mechanism that helps plants cope with toxic metals, including Li and Ni. Understanding the different approaches that plants use to activate this system can provide insights into how we can improve plant resilience and protect them from environmental stressors. Besides the natural endogenously reacting antioxidant system in the plant’s own body, exogenously applied antioxidants have proven to be effective in mitigating the negative effects of the aforementioned metals. Herein, we review the traditional as well as recent advances used in overcoming the toxicity of Li and Ni to plants.

Human-induced environmental pollution, which has emerged with the increasing population in recent years, has become a global threat. One of the consequences of its rapid and destructive effects is that heavy metals, such as lithium (Li) and nickel (Ni), threaten soil and plant health, and their presence in soil and water poses a risk to both human health and environmental well-being. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the importance of bioremediation in removing Li and Ni from soil and water by investigating various research studies and approaches. Bioremediation is a solution that utilises microorganisms to remove heavy metals by converting them into less toxic forms. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the appropriate microorganisms and optimise the bioremediation conditions to achieve the best results. Moreover, the effectiveness of these techniques depends on various factors, such as the concentration of Li or Ni in the soil, the duration of the remediation process and the environmental conditions.

The chapter summarises some essential features and findings related to the toxicities of lithium (Li) and nickel (Ni), which are always present in trace concentrations in food and the environment. These metal elements occur almost everywhere in nature, including in soils, rocks and the atmosphere. Therefore, due attention should be paid to their presence in various substances, including food, water and air. These materials can enter the human body through ingestion of food, drinking water and other routes, such as inhalation and skin penetration. The occurrence of Li/Ni in the environment has increased tremendously recently due to some human activities, especially specific technological processes, which have resulted in an increased presence of these elements in various products and goods. Recently, Li and Ni are gradually being used as main components in Li-ion and NiCd batteries. The first type of battery is mainly used in electric cars, while the less powerful NiCd batteries are primarily used in portable electronic devices and toys.

In addition, the chapter discusses the specific forms of toxicity of these metal elements and their occurrence in some foods. The processes and pathways by which these elements can enter the human organism are also described. They can have severely harmful effects at certain excessive concentrations and amounts. Because of these detrimental impacts, Li and Ni levels should be monitored to enable intervention when their presence exceeds regulatory limits or recommendations. Based on the results of such measurements, effective control mechanisms can then be implemented to minimise their effects on human health, including introducing appropriate measures to protect workers who come into contact with these elements in the workplace. This chapter also describes the actions necessary to regulate these elements’ presence and impose adequate controlling mechanisms and preparations, including those to respond effectively to possible emergencies.

Used lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which contain valuable metals such as cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel, are a promising source for future lithium production, with recycling efforts underway. However, lithium recovery is difficult, making LIBs a better source compared to seawater. LIBs contain graphite-coated copper and LiCoO2-coated aluminum electrodes bound with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), serving as conductors through lithium salt-based electrolytes, requiring physical separation and metal enrichment before hydrometallurgical treatment. Flammable electrolytes require discharge and immersion in specific solutions. Hydrometallurgical processes can increase metal concentrations but emit hazardous gases, making them less environmentally friendly. Mechanochemical methods, such as dry and wet milling, can improve lithium and cobalt recovery by inducing structural changes in electrode materials, increasing extraction efficiency, and improving the separation of magnetic materials. Pretreatment techniques for extracting lithium and cobalt emphasize hydrometallurgical recovery through leaching and impurity removal, with a particular focus on the unique challenges posed by lithium extraction due to its stability in aqueous solutions. The economic factors of recycling LIBs depend on recycling rates and metal prices, with hydrometallurgical processes offering the lowest energy consumption and the potential for lithium recovery.

In-reactor tritium release experiments using the fast neutron source reactor “YAYOI” of the University of Tokyo were carried out in the temperature range of 673 to 873 K. The main chemical form (more than 99%) of released tritium was HT or T₂ irrespective of the H₂ concentration in He purge gas. The mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing hydrogen pressure in He purge gas up to 100 Pa at 873 K. The mass transfer coefficient for tritium from Li₂₀Sn₈₀ to pure hydrogen as the purge gas obeyed the following temperature dependence: K_D [m/s] = 2.82×10^-4exp(-27.2 [kJ/mol] / RT).

Multiple actions of lithium are critical to its therapeutic effects. These complex effects stabilize neuronal activities, support neuronal plasticity, and provide neuroprotection. Three interacting systems appear most critical. Modulation of neurotransmitters by lithium likely readjusts balances between excitatory and inhibitory activities, and so may contribute to neuroprotection. Lithium also modulates signals impacting on the cytoskeleton, a dynamic system contributing to neural plasticity. Finally, lithium adjusts signaling activities regulating second messengers, transcription factors, and gene expression. Neuroprotective effects may be derived from its modulation of gene expression. These findings suggest that lithium may exert some of its long-term beneficial effects in the treatment of mood disorders via underappreciated neuroprotective effects.

Dense aluminum-lithium alloy reinforced with up to 20 vol.% SiC_p was prepared from powder mixture using spark plasma sintering process (SPS process). The process, originally developed by Sumitomo Coal Mining Co., has been found to be highly effective for the sintering of ceramic, metallic, and composite materials. Aluminum A 8090 was mixed with silicon carbide particles (SiC_p) by mechanical milling before sintered at 723 K under a pressure of 125 MPa for up to 10 minutes. Relative density of the sintered composite reinforced with 10 vol.% SiC_p was found to exceed 99% of the theoretical value. The Young modulus, yield stress, and ultimate tensile stress of the composite were 91 GPa, 256 MPa, and 332 MPa, respectively, which are, approximately, of the same values as those conventionally hot-isostatic press processed. The elongation of the composite was also found to be higher than that of the conventional one. The microstructure of the sintered composite was observed using both optical and scanning electron microscope. In the region away from the contact surface with the mould wall, the matrix powder was compressed along the vertical direction and elongated in the horizontal direction normal to the applied pressure. At the surface where the specimen was in contact with the mould and punch, the friction force controlled the deformation and thus the shape of the sintered powder. In this paper, the influences of reinforcement volume fractions, sintering temperatures, holding time, and applied pressure are also discussed.