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Is lithium biologically an important or toxic element to living organisms? An overview

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Abstract

Industrialized world is exposing living organisms to different chemicals and metals such as lithium (Li). Due to their use in common household items to industrial applications, it is imperative to examine their bioavailability. Lithium belongs to the group IA and also has wider uses such as in batteries, air conditioners to atomic reactors. Lithium occurs naturally in soil and water, mostly at low concentrations, and enters the food chain. It is not one of the essential minerals though various studies indicate that low levels of Li have beneficial effects on living organisms, whereas high levels expose them to toxicity and related detrimental effects. This review suggests that Li could be biologically important to living organism depending upon its concentration/exposure. Little is known about its biological importance and molecular understanding of its accumulation and mode of action, which might have future implications for Li’s long-term effects on living organisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Babar Shahzad

  2. State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China

    Mudassar Niaz Mughal

  3. School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    Mohsin Tanveer

  4. Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Dorin Gupta

  5. The Equine Centre, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

    Ghazanfar Abbas

Authors
  1. Babar Shahzad
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  2. Mudassar Niaz Mughal
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  3. Mohsin Tanveer
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  4. Dorin Gupta
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  5. Ghazanfar Abbas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mudassar Niaz Mughal.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Shahzad, B., Mughal, M.N., Tanveer, M. et al. Is lithium biologically an important or toxic element to living organisms? An overview. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 103–115 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7898-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7898-0

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