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Special Articles

Integrated Review of Lithium Sources, Ecological Impacts, and Isotope-Based Source Tracing in Aquatic Systems

수계 내 리튬 발생원, 생태학적 영향 및 동위원소 기반 오염원 추적 연구에 대한 통합적 고찰

Jihee Yoon1
,
Taeseop Kim1
,
Sujin Lee1
,
Seonggan Jang2
,
Linn Kim3
,
Jong-Sik Ryu4
,
Minjune Yang45*
윤 지희1
,
김 태섭1
,
이 수진1
,
장 성간2
,
김 린3
,
류 종식4
,
양 민준45*
1Undergraduate Student, Major of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Earth Environmental System Sciences, Pukyong National University
2PhD Student, Major of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Pukyong National University
3MS Student, Department of Eco-friendly Energy Technology, Pukyong National University
4Associate Professor, Major of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Earth Environmental System Sciences, Pukyong National University
5President, Wible Co., Ltd.
1국립부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경지질과학전공 학부과정
2국립부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 지구환경과학전공 박사과정
3국립부경대학교 친환경에너지융합기술과 석사과정
4국립부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경지질과학전공 부교수
5㈜와이블 대표이사
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2025. pp. 657-678
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

The rapid increases in lithium (Li)-ion battery production have intensified Li inputs into the environment. The high mobility and biological accumulation potential of dissolved Li have raised concerns over ecological and human health risks. We summarize Li sources including rock weathering, groundwater inflow, mining operations, Li-ion battery recycling, and wastewater discharge, and compile observed Li concentration ranges reported from surface waters. We also synthesize accumulation and toxic response patterns identified in freshwater organisms and adjacent soils. The effects on aquatic organisms include the inhibition of neurotransmission-related enzymes, oxidative stress, and altered behavior at low Li exposure, whereas higher concentrations lead to tissue damage and reduced growth. In terrestrial plants, Li uptake and accumulation vary with its chemical form, often leading to ion homeostasis disruption and decreased photosynthetic efficiency. Recent advances highlight Li isotopic compositions, particularly δ7Li, as a valuable tool for distinguishing natural weathering sources from anthropogenic discharge from wastewater treatment plants and industrial activities. Dissolved Li from chemical weathering is generally enriched in 7Li due to the preferential retention of 6Li in solids, producing elevated δ7Li values, whereas anthropogenic effluent typically yields lower δ7Li values. Case studies from the Dommel and Loire Rivers demonstrate that the combined use of δ7Li and the Li/Na ratio, with sodium (Na) serving as a conservatively behaving reference element, effectively separates contributions from natural weathering and from anthropogenic contamination. We outline the need for quantitative assessments of Li behavior in aquatic systems, improved wastewater and recycling processes, the development of source-specific isotopic databases, and the establishment of evidence based environmental guidelines for effective Li pollution management.

Keywords
lithium (Li)
isotopic fractionation
bioaccumulation
source tracing

리튬(lithium, Li) 이온 배터리 수요의 급증으로 환경 내 Li 유입이 증가하고 있으며, Li의 높은 이동성과 생물학적 축적 특성으로 인해 생태계와 인체 건강에 잠재적 위험이 제기되고 있다. 이번 연구는 자연적 풍화 작용과 지하수 유입, 광산 채굴, 이차전지 재활용, 하수 처리 등 다양한 발생원을 중심으로 Li의 기원과 수계 내 농도 분포를 정리하고, 담수 생태계와 인접 토양에서 보고된 축적 및 독성 반응을 종합적으로 고찰하였다. 수생 생물체는 저농도에서도 신경전달효소(acetylcholinesterase, AChE) 억제, 산화적 스트레스, 행동 이상을 보였으며 고농도에서는 조직 손상과 생장 저해가 나타났고, 육상 식물에서는 Li의 화학적 형태에 따라 흡수율과 축적 양상이 달라지며 이온 항상성 교란과 광합성 효율 저하가 확인되었다. 최근 연구에서는 Li 동위원소 조성(δ7Li) 비교를 통해 자연적 풍화 기원과 하수처리장 및 산업 배출수와 같은 인위적 기원을 효과적으로 구분하고 있으며, 자연적 풍화 환경에서는 용존상 δ7Li 값이 상대적으로 높고 인위적 배출원은 낮은 δ7Li 값을 보이는 뚜렷한 동위원소 지문을 형성한다. 도멜강, 루아르강 사례 연구에서는 δ7Li 값과 보존적으로 거동하는 나트륨(sodium, Na)을 기준으로 한 Li/Na 비 분석을 통해 자연적 풍화와 인위적 오염원의 기여도를 효과적으로 분리할 수 있음이 보고되었다. 이 논문은 Li 오염 관리의 기반 마련을 위해 수계 내 Li 거동의 정량적 평가, 하수처리 및 재활용 공정 개선, 기원별 Li 동위원소 데이터 구축, 환경 기준 설정의 필요성을 제시한다.

키워드
리튬(Li)
동위원소 분별
생물축적
오염원 추적
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Engineering Geology
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한지질공학회
  • Journal Title :The Journal of Engineering Geology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지질공학
  • Volume : 35
  • No :4
  • Pages :657-678
  • Received Date : 2025-11-20
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-23
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-24
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2025.4.657
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