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Metal(loid) mobility, solid-phase speciation and in vitro bioaccessibility in European hard-rock lithium (Li)
Quentin Bollaert1, Elvira Vassilieva2, Sonja Lavikko3
1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Center for economics and corporate sustainability, KU Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 4, 2025
Summary
Lithium mining in Europe shows low metal mobility and health risks, but further research on lithium toxicity and tailings management is crucial for environmental safety.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Environmental Science
- Mineralogy
Background:
- The European Union (EU) aims to increase domestic lithium (Li) production from indigenous resources.
- Limited data exists on the environmental and human health impacts of Li mining in EU pegmatites and granites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the mobility, solid-phase speciation, and in vitro bioaccessibility of metal(loid)s in Li-rich ores.
- To evaluate potential environmental and human health risks associated with Li mining in the EU.
Main Methods:
- Leaching tests simulating environmental weathering.
- Spatially-resolved mineralogical analyses (LA-ICP-MS).
- In vitro bioaccessibility assays and geochemical modeling.
Main Results:
- Most metal(loid)s (As, Cr, Ni, Zn) showed low mobility, below reference thresholds.
- Lithium exhibited higher mobility due to mineral alterability.
- Metal(loid)s are mainly in sulfides and chromite; in vitro bioaccessibility is low to moderate (<35%).
Conclusions:
- Geochemical modeling indicates low health risks from metal(loid)s.
- Lithium's mobility is linked to mineral dissolution at low pH.
- Best practices for tailings management are recommended due to limited Li toxicity data.
