2025 SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING SUMMIT AND EXHIBITION

Volume 1: Intl. Symp. On…

Edited by: Editor1, Editor2, Editor3, FLOGEN, 2025

GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT OF LITHIUM AND ITS USE AS A

THERAPEUTIC AGENT IN PSYCHIATRY

Francisco de Assis souza1, Dwight Rodrigues Soares1, Rikely Ghardênia Carneiro Paz Bezerra1,
Lázaro Nóbrega Farias1, Andriê Santos Antunes1
1
Insituto Federal da Paraiba, av Tranquilino Coelho Lemos, 671, bairro Dinamérica, Campina
Grande-PB, Brazil
Keywords: Keyword1, Keyword2, Keyword3, etc.

ABSTRACT
This paper addresses the role of lithium both in its geological origins and in its therapeutic use in
psychiatry, highlighting the implications of its extraction and medical application. Under standard
conditions it is the lightest solid element on the periodic table. Like all alkali metals, lithium is
highly reactive and flammable and is stored in mineral oil. Lithium is widely found in the Earth's
crust, but it does not occur as a specific mineral, that is, with a chemical composition and defined
crystal structure, allowing its extraction in isolation in mineral deposits. In Brazil, it is always a
component that forms the crystal structure of litiniferous pegmatite minerals, such as spodumene
(the only economically exploitable for lithium extraction), petalite, amblygonite, and elbaite,
related to endogenous processes. In the exogenous environment, it occurs as a constituent of salt
flats in Andean countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. Its geological exploration is
related to specific mining processes, with concentration by electrolysis. Lithium has many
applications, from lubricating grease, alloy additions, in particular for Aluminum and Magnesium
alloys, to glazes for ceramics, and finally Lithium batteries. In the field of psychiatry, lithium has
established itself as an essential drug for the treatment of bipolar disorder, acting as a mood
stabilizer by modulating neurotransmitters and neuronal processes. Thus, the present study seeks
not only to highlight the geological processes involved in lithium extraction, but also to discuss
the therapeutic contributions and clinical challenges associated with its use.

INTRODUCTION
Lithium is an alkali metal not found in nature as a specific mineral, but it is always
integrated into the crystalline lattice of other minerals, associated with aluminum and silicon. In
the endogenous environment, it is mainly concentrated in the granite pegmatite minerals of the
family LCT (Li-Cs-Ta) e NYF (Nb-Y-F), such as spodumene (LiAlSi2O6, lepidolite
KLiAl(F,OH)2Si4O10, petalite LiAlSi4O10 and amblygonite (Li,Na)AlPO4(F,OH). In the
exogenous environment, it is concentrated in the brines of the salt flats of the Andean countries
(Argentina, Chile and Bolivia). In the Brazilian pegmatites, spodumene is the only one with an
economically viable route for lithium exploration.
Large lithium reserves are available in South America. A resource of special interest is the
dried up salt lake Atacama, 2500 m above sea level in northern Chile. The main component is
halite, rock salt, NaCl. In cavities a concentrated salt solution is present, in which the lithium
content is as high as 0.15%. This solution is transported to nearby Antofagasta. In a chemical
factory there the lithium carbonate is prepared from the chloride. This carbonate is an important
export product. Lithium-contain ing brines are also available in Nevada in the USA. The brines
are pumped from the ground through a series of open dams. Through solar evaporation over 12 to
18 months the brine increases its lithium concentration to about 0.6%. Soda is added and lithium
carbonate precipitates [2].
Lithium was discovered in 1817 [1] by chemist Johan August Arfewedson, having been
isolated from the mineral petalite. In 1863, it was introduced into medicine as a therapeutic
substance for the treatment of gout. Solutions and suspensions with a high content of this substance
have been used for years as a "cure" for various diseases.
Chemistry and metallurgy were very international at the turn of the century 1800. The
discovery of lithium, however, involves international features beyond the ordinary. Strangely
enough, he also has a place in the history of lithium. It was José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva,
who found and described the mineral petalite in a Swedish iron ore mine on the island Utö in the
Stockholm archipelago, a mineral in which the element lithium was discovered [2].
Over the years, the search for and exploration of the properties of lithium and its by-
products has intensified, influencing its processing and transformation. Lithium is of great
importance in the ceramics and glass industries and has aroused increasing interest in the
production of more compact batteries and pharmacological application for the treatment of
psychiatric diseases. Several researchers were responsible for the historical and scientific
development of lithium, standing out among those cited by Santos et al [3], below: [4], [5], [6],
[7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], dating back to the early XIX century.
Research focused essentially on the isolation of the metal from lithium oxide and chloride, until
at the end of the nineteenth century the United States of America began to dominate the
international market for the exploration and commercialization of lithium ores. In World War I,
Germany developed a Li-Pb alloy, called Bahn-metal, to replace tin as an anti-friction material.
Since then, technology has improved the use of lithium alloys. Li-Mg, containing no more than
50% magnesium, is lighter than water. Metallgesellschaft (Germany), in 1923, was the first
producer of lithium metal on an industrial scale. The Foote Mineral Co. (USA) only began its
production of manufactured products from 1930, having spodumene as an input. Later, in 1936,
the American Potash and Chemical Corporation began the recovery of lithium-sodium phosphate
as a byproduct of brine harvesting [17]. In 1942, the Metalloy Corporation was created, designated
for the production of lithium-based greases for aircraft engines and the like during World War II.
In 1946, the Lithium Corporation of America (LITHCOA), which incorporated Metalloy,
developed the acidic, more efficient than alkaline process for lithium extraction and production of
Li2CO3 from spodumene. During the war, the maximum U.S. production reached 400 t/year LCE
[19]. It was not until 1955 that LITHCOA inaugurated its lithium-based chemical plant, with
spodumene being its main raw material. After the war, the demand for lithium hydroxide increased
considerably, through the United States Atomic Energy Commission – USAEC, intended for
military use (thermonuclear bombs).
Currently, lithium carbonate is one of the medications used in the treatment and control of
bipolar affective disorder (BAD). It was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of
this disease and has been used for more than 60 years as a drug with proven mood-stabilizing
properties, being the choice in the acute and maintenance phases of treatment. Lithium is the drug
of choice in the treatment of bipolar disorder, being the agent with the most evidence as a
maintenance treatment. It is effective in preventing relapses of mania more often than depression,
also having an antidepressant effect and reducing the risk of suicide.
Lithium has revolutionized both the treatment and phenomenological study of bipolar
disorder, and is increasingly used in combination treatment regimens. This often allows for
smaller, better-tolerated doses of other drugs, coupled with the complementary benefits of drugs
with different action profiles.
Recently, lithium sources are being researched for the production of automobile batteries
(electric cars), with the aim of replacing fossil fuels and reducing the emission of polluting gases
into the atmosphere through the production of clean energy. In Brazil, lithium research and
extraction takes place in the granitic pegmatite provinces of the southeast and northeast regions,
especially the Borborema Pegmatitic Province – BPP, as it contains hundreds of pegmatite bodies
mineralized in spodumene, its main raw material. However, there is an environmental concern
regarding the disposal, storage and recycling of these batteries, since they have a useful life of
around 10 years. The main problem is: finding an ecological and sustainable destination for lithium
beteries after being discarded, in an environmentally correct way.

METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS
The methodology adopted in this study consisted of bibliographic research, in which
scientific articles, theses, monographs and Course Completion Papers (CCPs) available online
were used as data sources. The selection criteria used included the relevance of the content to the
topic under analysis. The importance of recognizing the challenges faced in time and space to
carry out the studies and the search for technological strategies for the use of lithium in industry,
medicine and the production of clean energy, drove us to carry out this research.

GEOCHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT OF LITHIUM

Lithium belongs to the family of alkali metals, the lightest in the periodic table, classified
as a rare element, not found naturally in free form, distributed in the earth's crust in the order of
0.004%, generally associated with aluminum, potassium, sodium and iron silicates, found in more
than 130 mineral species, located in about 1 thousand deposits around the world, associated with
granitic pegmatites, in addition to brines [21], [22], [23]. It is characterized by being a soft, silver-
colored metal. In contact with air, it acquires a gray color, so it is common to preserve it in mineral
oil. It is highly reactive, especially when exposed to water or humid air. It reacts vigorously,
forming lithium hydroxide and releasing hydrogen gas. It is the most electropositive metal and the
lightest solid element. This means that it has a very strong tendency to lose electrons and form
positive ions in chemical reactions. It forms a variety of chemical compounds, including oxides,
hydroxides, carbonates, and chlorides. These compounds have several industrial and
pharmaceutical applications. It is a good conductor of electricity, especially in its metallic form.
Hence, it is used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in portable electronic
devices.
The plumes of the mantle and lower crust undergo slow cooling in geological time, under
conditions of high depth, pressure and temperature, facilitating nucleation and mineral
crystallization from chemical reactions between the so-called heavy ions, forming olivines,
orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes, ornbledas and biotites, the so-called mafic minerals of the early
stages of the BOWEN Mineral Crystallization Index. These stages are responsible for the
concentration of Fe, Mg, Ti, Cr, V, Ni, Cu, PGE (Pt, Pd, Ir, Os, Rh, Ro), W-Mo-Sn-Cu-Zn-Pb-
Mn-Ag=Au, forming from mafic/ultramafic to intermediate rocks. The so-called incompatible
ions, light ions (Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Ta, Nb, P e B), and geochemical associations Sn-U-W, Be-Nb-T-
Li-REE, concentrate in the increasingly fractionated and evolved magma (residual magma),
forming the granites and granite pegmatites of rare elements [24], corresponding to the last stages
of the BOWEN Crystallization Index. Several researchers [25], [26], [27] advocate that most of
the large-scale fusion differentiation and enrichment of the element can be explained by the
crystallization made in a residual molten segregated from granitic mushes.
Lithium, in the endogenous environment, is primarily concentrated in granitic
pegmatites of the LCT (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) type, due to its incompatible behavior in the
early to intermediate phases of magmatic crystallization (Bowen Crystallization Diagram). Cerny
et al [24], in a paper published in the journal Canadian Mineralogist, made a collection of
scientific papers by several authors regarding the geochemistry of lithium in the various stages of
magmatic fractionation [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30] partially transcribed below: The
incompatibility of lithium with olivine, pyroxenes and calcium feldspars is due to the non-behavior
of Li as a typical alkaline element, the small ionic radius and high charge, making up negligible
amounts at ferromagnesian octahedral sites and virtually excluded from the felsic phases. In
contrast, Na+ and K+ have larger ionic radii and are compatible in late phases, such as feldspars.
Only muscovite and biotite can be enriched in Li in a few late generations of two-mica granites
and leucogranites. The crystallochemical mismatch of lithium limits its entry into the structure of
felsic rock-forming minerals, being excluded from the solidification of granitic magmas. The
compatibility of lithium with mafic minerals such as micas is the only relative indicator of Li
enrichment achieved by the parent magma. In the course of the consolidation of granitic intrusive
bodies, the exclusion of Li from mineral crystallization leads to its accumulation in residual
magmas. Together with other flow agents such as H2O, F, and B, lithium depresses the
temperature of the solidus and increases the range of crystallization temperatures in these residual
melts. Li's general geochemical association led to its designation as a "fluorophilic" element.
Complexation of Li with H2O or F can aid in the extraction of differentiating magmas in residual
melts. In addition to the obvious crystallochemical reasons, closely related mechanisms of Li and
F transport may promote the crystallization of muscovite litiana, lepidolite, and amblygonite. It
takes 5,000 ppm of Li (1.07 wt.% Li2O) is the minimum concentration required to precipitate Li-
rich minerals into granitic pegmatites. This threshold value is close to the lower limit of mass
compositions of homogeneous pegmatites rich in spodumene and petalite, and of internal zones
rich in spodumene and petalite of zoned and texturally heterogeneous pegmatite bodies (1.0 - 1.2
wt.% Li2O). Experimental data also indicate that about 2 wt.% Li2O (equivalent to 25 wt.%
spodumene) represents the maximum possible accumulation of Li in solid magmatic fractionation
products. These values are in agreement with observations on lithium-rich pegmatites. The
accumulation of Li concentration in a pegmatite melt that precedes the precipitation of Li sensu
stricto minerals leads to an increase in Li content in the early stages of rock formation. Early
generations of muscovite can contain up to 1.5 weight in Li2O, and even quartz shows significant
substitution of Li+ + Al3+, Si4+ (60-225 ppm Li). The crystallochemical role of Li in feldspars is
uncertain, and much of its Li is attributed to inclusions of micaceous minerals. A well-defined
correlation of Li with Rb in K-feldspar from several pegmatite fields containing spodumene and
petalite (Fig. l) suggests that a similar mechanism may facilitate the incorporation of Li with
increased substitution of K by the large alkalis Rb and Cs. Thus, an appreciable amount of Li is
incorporated in the early stages of crystallization (including early plagioclase, tourmaline, and
beryl) before its accumulation reaches a level sufficient to trigger the crystallization of the Li
minerals themselves. Depending on the absolute and relative activities of PO43− and F−, H+, Na+,
and K+, most of the Li can be incorporated into three mineral clusters: (i) anhydrous
aluminosilicates, (ii) phosphates, and (iii) micas enriched with (Li,F).

Figure 1. The Li versus Rb contents of K-feldspar from rare-element granitic pegmatites.

Data from the Tanco pegmatite, Yellowknife pegmatite field. [31], [32]. In [24].
 Geological weathering causes the wear of the rocks, which undergo physical and chemical
changes. The parent rocks and minerals submitted to the new system are destabilized, leached,
release the constituent elements that regroup, causing neomineralization. Lithium, being relatively
soluble when subjected to the exogenous environment, is mobilized and released to acidic aqueous
solutions (low pH) in the exogenous environment, being transported in surface or groundwater
with solvated Li+(aq) ion. Small fractions can be incorporated into the crystal structure of clay
minerals such as hectorite, taeniolite, and smectites [33]. Accumulation usually occurs in closed
basins of semi-arid regions, where intense evaporation causes the generation of brines (salt flats),
concentrating lithium together with other elements. In this phase, carbonates, sulfates, and
chlorides are formed [34]. Other forms of lithium absorption (less important) are clays/muds,
suspended organic matter, evaporite sediments and geothermal waters.
GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT OF LITHIUM
Lithium, as it is an element incompatible with the initial cooling process of the parent
magma in the endogenous environment of high depth, pressure and temperature (DPT), is
concentrated during magmatic fractionation, and only in the last evolutionary stages of the residual
magma begins to react chemically with its light ionic pairs of small radius and high charge, that
is, the residue that did not react during the previous processes of magmatic fractionation.
Pegmatites are crystallized in these more evolved stages, varying in character between proximal
and parental granite (Figure 2). The distance from the source increases the degree of
differentiation, the content of volatiles and rare metals, the decrease in the viscosity of the fluids
and the temperature of the solidus, due to the increase in the concentration of Li, P, B and F. The
following geochemical signatures are generated for pegmatites [35] From the proximal to the distal
region: pegmatite granite source, Be-columbite-(Fe) type, Be-Nb-P type, complex Be-Li-Ta type,
complex Ta-Li-Cs type (LCT). These signatures (zonation) constitute, in most cases, excellent
guides for mineral prospecting.

Figure 2 – Idealized concentric, regional zoning pattern field. Caracteristic rare-element suites of the
most enriched pegmatites in each zone are indicated. The most enriched pegmatites tend to occur distaly
with respect to the parental granite. Midified by Bradlay et al [37].
 The highest concentrations of lithium occur in LCT pegmatites (Ta-Li-Cs type), that occur
in various parts of the world, including the Borborema Pegmatitic Province (BPP), in the Northeast
of Brazil, between the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, inserted in the eastern portion
of the Serido Belt [38]. Four specimens of samples of lithiniferous minerals collected from BPP
pegmatites by the Centro de estudos de Pegmatitos – N-PEG, of the Federal Institute of Paraíba
Brazil (Figure 3), attest to the importance of research for lithium as a raw material for the
production of clean energy and use as a drug derivative in medical geology. Its main geochemical
characteristics and crystallization modes in the lithiniferous pegmatites of BPP will be described
below.

a b

spd

elb

c d
k-f
lep
lith

lith

Figure 3 – Litiniferous specimens (hand samples) collected in BPP LCT pegmatites, selected from the
N-PEG didactic collection: (a) spodumene (spd) crystal; (b) cruster of green elbaite tourmalines (elb)
with purple litiniferous core; (c) lithiophyllite crystal (lith) in k-peldspar; (d) lepidolite in LCT
pegmatite; (e) lithiophyllite crystal (lith).
 Spodumene crystallization occurs from the cooling of the pegmatite flux rich in lithium
and low content of (PO4)3- and F- in high-pressure environments [39], [40]. On the other hand,
petalite occurs in a low-pressure environment. Mineral assemblages in LCT pegmatites are mainly
of primary origin. Among the important secondary assemblages is SQI, the acronym for a fine-
grained intergrowth of spodumene and quartz that formed through the replacement of petalite [37].
Petrogenetic investigations carried out by London [41] attest that from a geological point of view,
the most important paregenetic reaction in the lithium-aluminosilicate system is the change from
petalite to spodumene, producing quartz as a by-product (Pet = Spd + 2Qtz), which separates the
field of pegmatites with spodumene from those containing only primary petalite. Whether
spodumene or petalite crystallizes as the primary phase of lithium aluminosilicate probably
depends more on the depth of pegmatite placement than on the differences in temperatures at
which saturation of lithium aluminosilicate occurs.
Regarding the geochemical affinity of lithium with tourmalines (exemplifying here the
elbaites in Figure 3), it occurs by the ionic substitution of lithium in specific structural sites of
tourmalines, with a complex crystalline structure. The Li+ ion replaces Fe2+, Mg2+, Al3+,
occupying preferentially the Y site in the general formula XY3Z6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH,O,F)4+, due to
the similarity of the ionic rays and the redox conditions of the way.
Lithiophyllite forms in LCT granitic pegmatites rich in Li, P, F. It occurs in paragenesis
with spodumene, lepidolite and litiniferous tourmalines. It crystallizes in the late hydrothermal
phase, when waste fluids are enriched in lithium and phosphorus. The geochemical affinity
between lithium and lithiophyllite (LiMnPO4) in pegmatitic LCT environments is due to the
incorporation of Li+ in its orthorhombic crystal structure, occupying octahedral sites, coordinated
with PO4 groups. Partial isomorphic substitution of Mn2+ by Fe2+ may occur, forming the series
of solid solutions with triphyllite (LiFePO4) [41].
The occurrence of lepidolite occurs in the hydrothermal phase during the late
crystallization of evolved LCT pegmatites, at temperatures above 400ºC, when residual fluids poor
in (PO4)3- but enriched in Li, F, Rb, Ta and Cs, always associated with spodumene, elbaite, and
tantalite, in the internal zones of the pegmatites [37]. The crystal structure of lepidolite
(phyllosilicate) favors lithium fixation through three processes: (i) direct ion substitution where
Li+ occupies octahedral sites in the crystal lattice. replacing Fe2+, Mg2+, Al3+, due to the
similarity of ionic rays; (ii) F- reduces the viscosity of residual magma, facilitating the diffusion
of lithium and stabilizing the mineral structure; (iii) Rb+ and Cs+ replace K+ in the interfoliar
layer, while lithium integrates into the tetrahedral layers, creating a cohesive network.
Salars on Northern Chile are characterized by a succession of north – south-trending
ranges and basins occupied by numerous saline lakes and salt crusts[42]. The geological
environment is associated with closed evaporite basins under active tectonism (subduction), in
regions with a semi-arid climate, where the concentration of lithium occurs by surface and
underground hydrological and evaporitic processes rich in Li+. The weathering of volcanic rocks
and geothermal activity related to nearby volcanic systems contributes most components to inflow
waters with salt content ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 g/l. However, the average salt content of all
inflows is much higher: about 3.2 g/l. Chemical composition, Cl/Br ratio, and 18O –2 H isotope
contents point to the mixing of very dilute meteoric waters with present lake brines for the origin
of saline inflows. Ancient gypsum in deep sedimentary formations seems to be the only evaporitic
mineral recycled in present salars. Saline lakes and subsurface brines are under steady-state
regime. The average residence time of conservative components ranges from a few years to some
thousands years, which indicates a permanent leakage of the brines through bottom sediments.
The ionic composition of brines (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, B(OH)3), produces halite
(NaCl), sylvite (KCl), carnallite (KMgCl3.6H2O), as well as evaporites [43].
 THERAPEUTIC USE OF LITHIUM
Medical geology is the area of Geosciences specialized in the investigation of how the
chemical elements that form rocks and soils and geological and environmental factors affect
human, animal and plant health. She investigates how the distribution of chemical elements,
natural contamination and human action in the geological environment can affect our health.
Chemical elements are part of our daily lives, whether as consumables, in the water we drink, in
food, in the air we breathe (dust, gases), in the medicines we use. The Geological Survey of Brazil
– SGB, studies the geochemical distribution of the elements through low-density geochemical
surveys in Brazilian states, through the Multipurpose Geochemistry Project and makes the data
available in Geochemical Atlas. The information makes it possible to evaluate the average of each
chemical element in water, soil, and in stream sediments (samples at the bottom of rivers) and in
food. In the present work, we address the use of lithium in medicine as a stabilizer of the mood of
rheumatosis, among others.
Lithium is one of the most researched chemical elements in geomedicine. In the nineteenth
century, French doctors were already using it to treat "gout" crises”. In the United States, lithium
emerged from medical records through the "Lithium Clinic of the New York State Psychiatric
Institute." Just like any medicine that opens up new therapeutic horizons, It has attracted the focus
of psychiatrists since its effectiveness in treating certain psychoses has been proven. In 1970, the
approval of lithium carbonate as a chemotherapeutic agent was granted by the United States Food
and Drug Administration, the government agency responsible for the commercial control of drugs
in the country.
Alda [44] in his research based on articles described by several authors, draws attention to
the difficulties in concluding research on the mechanisms of action of lithium in preventing
recurrences of bipolar disorder, due to the difficulty of testing in animals and that in vitro studies
are practically the only ones accessible. The author comments on the pharmacological and genetic
studies on lithium, attesting to its efficacy in increasing basal activities and inhibiting stimulated
activities. | According to the author, some of the key nodes of these regulatory networks include
GSK3, CREB, and Na+-K+ ATPase.
The main objective of prophylactic lithium treatment is to prevent depressive and manic
resurgences, aggressive behaviors, suicidal tendencies, among others. With respect to the
antisuicidal effect, lithium differs from other mood stabilizers as it reduces the risk of suicide not
only through prevention of mood episodes, but also in lithium nonresponders, perhaps through a
different mechanism [12]. The author argues that research done with patients with suicidal
tendencies, long-term lithium prophylaxis caused a marked reduction in the number of suicide
attempts in the excellent lithium responders. However, it also found that more than 80% of
moderate responders and nearly 50% of poor responders did not exhibit any additional suicidal
behavior during lithium treatment.
Studies done by Coopen [46], report the theory of the mechanism of action of lithium on
the research of electrolyte balance in bipolar disorder and depression. The studies pointed to an
increase in residual sodium during episodes of depression and mania, and its normalization during
treatment with lithium.
The geological weathering of the litiniferous rocks releases lithium from the
crystallographic sites of the minerals, causing its mobilization to the soil and surface and
groundwater. In the soil, it will be incorporated into leaves and vegetable fruits by root absorption
when plant nutrition, becoming part of the human metabolic system by ingestion of food. In
surface and groundwater, when drinkable, the simple fact of drinking from water sources can
incorporate lithium into our body. Although these daily doses of lithium are considerably lower
(up to 1.5 mmol/day) than those used therapeutically, they may influence human mental health.
There is growing evidence that very low lithium levels induced by routine consumption of
litiniferous public drinking water of up to 1.5 mmol/day, can have anti-suicidal effects both in
patients with mood disorders and in the general population [47]. However, there is the question
that these surveys often do not include socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and socioeconomic
issues. Factors such as gender, age, population density, average per capita income, unemployment
rates, and the number of Catholics have recently been shown to influence suicide mortality in
Portugal [48].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Based on the review of the geological literature and extraction data, the analysis pointed to
the significant increase in lithium extraction in recent decades due to the growing demand for
energy storage technologies. However, this growth brings challenges to psychiatry, since the
increase in the cost of extraction and competition with technology industries influence the price
and accessibility of lithium-based medicines.
In the field of psychiatry, lithium is an effective mood stabilizer, especially for bipolar
disorder, significantly reducing the incidence of relapse and the severity of manic and depressive
episodes. Patients treated with lithium have greater gray matter preservation in areas related to
emotional regulation, which corroborates its efficacy in long-term treatment.
Although effective, the use of lithium can cause significant side effects, including tremors,
weight gain, kidney dysfunction, and changes in thyroid function. The survey data indicate that a
considerable percentage of patients discontinue treatment due to adverse effects, especially in
cases of prolonged use. Such limitations highlight the importance of regular monitoring and
dosage adjustments to minimize risk.
The results show that lithium is a substance with distinct therapeutic and geological
implications, whose role in psychiatry is unique. The increasing demand for lithium due to its use
in batteries and electronic devices, for example, has brought economic and environmental
challenges, which, in turn, influence the availability of lithium for psychiatric use.
In the clinical field, lithium has been shown to be a solid option with proven benefits for
bipolar disorder and other serious psychiatric conditions, especially in preventing relapse and
decreasing suicidal behavior. However, the toxicity associated with lithium's use and the high risk
of adverse effects mean that it is an alternative that requires caution and close monitoring.
In addition, the study suggests that the increase in lithium extraction must be balanced with
the preservation of natural resources and accessibility for the health sector. Competition with the
battery industry, coupled with the environmental impact of mining, reinforces the need for
sustainable use policies and a reflection on prioritizing medicinal applications.
Finally, the analysis highlights that lithium, despite its limitations, is still the gold standard
in the treatment of bipolar disorders. Future research on its alternatives and methods that minimize
side effects are essential to ensure that its therapeutic efficacy remains a viable option, even in a
scenario of scarcity and rising price of the raw material.

CONCLUSIONS
This work sought a clear understanding of the relationship between the
geochemical/geological environment of lithium and its relevance in the field of psychiatry,
highlighting the importance of this element as a natural and therapeutic resource, essentially in the
treatment of bipolar disorder. From the analysis of the geological characteristics associated with
the occurrence of lithium, it was found that its formation is intrinsically linked to complex
geological processes, such as LCT granitic pegmatites, concentration of brines in salt flats in
Chilean closed evaporite sedimentary basins by the weathering of volcanic rocks related to the
tectonics of covergente plates of western South America.
 In the therapeutic field, lithium has established itself as an effective drug in the treatment
of psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar disorder, contribute to the stabilization of neuronal
activity, resilience to stress, enhanced neuronal/synaptic plasticity, and regulation of
chronobiological processes. Its mood-stabilizing action, proven over decades, reinforces the
connection between geological science and human health, highlighting the importance of
understanding not only the chemical properties of the element, but also the conditions of its
availability and sustainable extraction.
During the research, the need for a balance between the exploitation of lithium as a
geological resource and its use in the medical context became evident. The increase in demand for
lithium, driven by the technology industry, raises concerns about environmental impacts and the
availability for medicinal applications. Thus, initiatives that prioritize sustainable extraction
practices and responsible resource management are essential.
It is concluded that the study of lithium in the geological and psychiatric context reveals
the interdisciplinarity necessary to deal with contemporary challenges. Through an integrated
approach, involving geologists, health professionals and environmental managers, it is possible to
maximize the benefits of lithium while minimizing the negative impacts. This work contributes to
broadening the understanding of this versatile element and highlights the importance of further
research to deepen its study and applications in the future.
The emerging picture stresses effects in multiple nodes of regulatory networks, in which lithium
may dampen excessive activity and thus contribute to stabilization of neuronal activity, stress
resilience, improved neuronal/ synaptic plasticity and regulation of chronobiological processes

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