Abundance of Lithium in Stars | 01 Dec 2021

Recently, Scientists have found a clue to the mystery behind the high abundance of Lithium in some evolved stars.

The mystery is the reason behind the high abundance of Lithium in stars, which according to predicted models must get destroyed in the hot plasma of the star.
Lithium is a trace element on Earth, and a key component of rechargeable batteries.

Sample for Research: The research involved the investigation of lithium among red giants showed that just about 1% of sun-like red giants had a lithium-enriched surface.
Research Methodology: The research surveyed (called GALAH - named after a common Australian bird) a collection of about 500,000 stars with well-determined physical and chemical properties, including lithium abundances.
Findings of Research: Regarding the reason for Lithium production, scientists have for the first time confirmed that all the lithium-rich stars are burning helium in their core.
- They speculated that lithium production is linked to the violent helium-core flash.
- It is proposed to be a simple and short sequence of nuclear reactions involving a collision between the two stable helium isotopes which led to a stable lithium isotope.
- The survey revealed the rare presence of lithium-rich giants in all the Sun-like low-mass stars.

Properties of Lithium:
- It is a chemical element with the symbol Li.
- It is a soft, silvery-white metal.
- Under standard conditions, it is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element.
- It is highly reactive and flammable, and must be stored in mineral oil.
- Lithium has become the new 'white gold' as the demand for high performing rechargeable batteries is rising.
- Rising global lithium demand and surging prices have drawn increased interest in the so-called ‘lithium triangle’ that spans parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Uses:
- Lithium metal is used to make useful alloys.
  - For example, with lead to make ‘white metal’ bearings for motor engines, with aluminium to make aircraft parts, and with magnesium to make armour plates.
- In Thermonuclear reactions.
- To make electrochemical cells. Lithium is an important component in Electric Vehicles, Laptops etc.
Countries with Largest Reserves:
- Chile> Australia> Argentina
Lithium in India:
- Researchers at the Atomic Minerals Directorate (under India’s Atomic Energy Commission) have estimated lithium reserves of 14,100 tonnes in a small patch of land surveyed in Southern Karnataka’s Mandya district recently.
  - Also to be India’s first ever Lithium deposit site found.
Other Potential Sites in India:
- The major mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Pegmatite (igneous rocks) belts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Brines of Sambhar and Pachpadra in Rajasthan, and Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat.
Related Government Initiative:
- India, through a newly state-owned company Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, had signed an agreement with an Argentinian firm to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina.
  - Khanij Bidesh India Ltd has a specific mandate to acquire strategic mineral assets such as lithium and cobalt abroad.