ECOLOGICAL AND HYGIENIC MONITORING OF LITHIUM IN WATERS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES IN UKRAINE AND APPROACHES TO POST-TREATMENT

Abstract

The technological revolution is transforming global demand for resources, shifting the focus from traditional energy sources like oil and gas to metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Lithium, now dubbed "white oil", is critical for powering devices and vehicles, as lithium-ion batteries are foundational in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Historically, lithium's primary application was in the glass and ceramics industries, with secondary uses in optics and electronics. However, demand has increased substantially in recent years due to advancements in energy storage technology. The environmental impacts of lithium extraction are significant, raising levels of heavy metals like arsenic in nearby surface waters. Traditional extraction methods create evaporation ponds that lead to environmental risks, potentially releasing lithium and other metals into the ecosystem. Environmental monitoring has shown elevated lithium concentrations in contaminated industrial sites and mining runoff areas, often exceeding safe drinking water limits. Current U.S. guidelines from the EPA focus on safe recycling practices for lithium-ion batteries, but regulatory frameworks are lacking in other regions, including Ukraine. In Europe, lithium battery producers are required to incorporate recycling costs into their products, with Germany opening a lithium processing facility to support local demand and decrease reliance on imports. In Ukraine, significant lithium reserves exist, potentially among the largest in Europe, though official regulation for lithium energy storage management is lacking. Given lithium’s toxic effects at high doses — such as impacts on the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and nervous system — further environmental monitoring and risk assessment are crucial for sustainable development and public health protection.