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    The Environmental Impact of lithium-ion batteries: what you need to know

    Dinda Safira PutriBy 93 Comments8 Mins Read

    Introduction

    The most commonly used batteries are lithium-ion batteries like in our homes, such as smartphones, laptops electric vehicles. They help us store and use renewable energy sources, and the conversion of low-carbon futures also impacts human beings and nature.

    This article will demonstrate lithium-ion batteries’ environmental and social effects over time. Will also explore what’s the ageing effect of batteries from extraction to disposal. We must discover the causes and steps of pollution and the effects of lithium-ion batteries on the surrounding environment.

    We will also find tips on reducing the carbon footprint caused by batteries in any way.  Reading this article, you will be familiar with the effects and advantages of lithium-ion metal.

    The environmental impacts of lithium extraction and production 

    Lithium extraction and production 
    1.1 : The environmental impacts of lithium extraction and production 

    Lithium is a metal extracted from different origins and occurrences of the resource. It is found in brine, spodumene, and clay. A salty water that contains lithium and other minerals is called brine, is drilled from an underground reservoir and then separated by evaporation in huge pools.

    Rocky material containing lithium and minerals is called spodumene, extracted by open pits and then ground, roasted, and leached to extract lithium. It passes through certain processes, and then it is formed.

    A soft form of soil is clay extracted from the underground and passed through the alkaline solution, and lithium is extracted. Lithium extraction has many environmental impact and natural challenges, like brine evaporation. It consumes much water contaminated with chemicals and is dangerous for marine life. For example, in South America’s lithium triangle surrounding Bolivia and Chile, extraction uses up to 65% of water and affects the lives of farmers and poor people.

    Another risk is environmental degradation that affects the variety of life and minerals in the soil; for example, Australia has a large amount of spodumene and suffers from earth erosion and lack of greenery, and noise pollution.

    The third challenge is due to the greenhouse effect that uses lithium-ion batteries and releases contaminated air, and it’s leading to global warming; for example, China is the number one country that is using huge amounts of batteries, and its estimated carbon footprint is 60 to 120 kg CO2 equivalent per kWh. And the last challenge is inequality, for example, differences in the cost and division of lithium. 

    Zimbabwe is the master of lithium in their clay. Their community has prostrated against foreign investors that destroyed their land by chemical and water contamination and inadequate compensation.

    The environmental impacts of lithium-ion battery use and disposal

    lithium-ion battery use and disposal
    2.1 : The environmental impacts of lithium-ion battery use and disposal

    The lithium-ion batteries have more energy, and their lifespan is long, and they can be maintained easily. We use lithium-ion batteries daily, like computers, laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, power electric vehicles, and grid storage systems. The battery performance and its charging techniques also have impact. As fossil fuels and lithium are extracted from the soil, lithium has more benefits than fossil fuels. Lithium has both environmental risks and many benefits throughout its life cycle.

    Its disadvantage is that it easily picks heat when overcharged, overheated, damaged, and short of the circuit. Its disadvantages include air pollution, physical injuries, and property loss. Another issue associated with lithium-ion batteries is the leakage of the materials into the soil and water, which harms both human and marine life. 

    Cobalt, nickel, and manganese are also found in lithium batteries. When they leak, they contribute to global warming, ecological toxicity, and resource finishing, and then it leads to water pollution and environmental pollution, which is harmful to all living organisms; for example, in 2016, harmful chemicals leaked from lithium mines in Tibet and killed fish livestock downstream. Lithium-ion batteries are considered safe, but if they are not disposed of properly, they are harmful or dangerous for living. If lithium batteries are not wasted, they occupy a large space and lead to environmental and health risks.  

    The potential solutions  and alternatives for reducing the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries

    lithium-ion batteries
    3.1 : The potential solutions  and alternatives for reducing the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries

    For a good low-carbon economy, converting lithium-ion batteries is very important, but their negative effects on human beings must be known, and everyone should be familiar. Some solutions and some important changes are listed below:

    Improving efficiency means increasing output, performance, and decreases in input is called energy and material consumption. It can be obtained by working principle of battery like changing the structure and using advanced materials and techniques.

    For example, a scientist has invented a new type of battery that uses silicone anode instead of graphite, which affects the output four times more.

    Extending lifespan is the characteristic in which we can reuse and repurpose the battery. It means an increase in the service time of a battery and also creating secondary market purposes. For example, Nissan has introduced a technique in which old batteries are replaced by new ones that can be used in the home energy principle.

    Enhancing safety: it aims to reduce the risks caused by lithium batteries, like fire and explosion. When overcharged or short-circuited, it can be won by proper safety and doing alternatives. For example, a battery that uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid is invented, which avoids short circuits.

    Increasing recycling rates: it aims to reuse and reduce the wastage of material, which we can go through by sorting and collecting things.

    Developing new technologies: it relates to innovation that gives high performance. We can do it by experimenting with different chemistries and architectures for batteries; for example, new batteries use sodium instead of lithium-ion, that’s cheaper and safe.

    Promoting circular economy principle: a systemic approach from production to consumption to disposal.

    Every alternative has benefits and boundaries in compatibility, feasibility, and availability conditions. We should handle it wisely to reduce hazards.

    Environmental Impacts of Lithium Batteries | EV Life by Alberta Motor Association

    FAQs 

    What is a lithium-ion battery? 

    It is one of the kind of rechargeable battery. One of the major components that is used in its composition is lithium ions. Lithium-ion moves between negative and positive electrodes with the help of electrolytes; during this process, it stores and releases electrical energy.

    What are lithium-ion batteries mainly used for? 

    These batteries are used for charging purposes such as phones, laptops, cameras, and many other portable devices. It is also used for other purposes; for example, it is used for grid-scale energy, military, and aerospace. 

    How do lithium-ion batteries work? 

    There are some principles on which these batteries work: during charging, the positive electrode releases lithium-ion, and it further moves to the negative electrodes. The same process goes back during the discharge, which means it follows the opposite. It comes towards the cathode from the anode and creates an electric current. 

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries? 

    If we talk about its advantages, they comprise high energy density. It means there is a limit to storing energy, but it stores more than its capacity. Secondly,  its self-discharge is very low, so it loses less charging. On the other hand, it is free from the memory effect and doesn’t need to be discharged. If we talk about its charging, it is quick compared to others and has a long life cycle.
    There are also some disadvantages that we can discuss here. It costs more than other batteries because its components are more costly. When there is a high temperature, it becomes sensitive and can also explode. If we talk about its shelf life, it is also less, and slowly and gradually, it starts losing its capacity. 
    Moreover, there is also fear of ageing and many other safety risks.

    Final analysis

    The lithium-ion batteries are vital to convert low carbon economy, This is the battery technology future but everyone should know their hazards. Numerous risk factors leading to nature and public illness take space from extraction to production of the metals and after disposal. Many factors lead to global warming, and minerals in the soil are famished with fire hazards that take place and lead to physical injury to humans and animals. If we illustrate leakage material, recycling difficulties, and waste generation, they leave a long-lasting effect on us. Thereby, operators should have systemic information and follow new technologies.

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