What are the chemical, biological and clinical properties of lithium?

Lithium is found within the Earth’s crustal rocks at a concentration of 20-60 ppm and 0.2 ppm in seawater. It is the lightest metal in the world and has an atomic weight (6.941 u). It is classified in the alkali metal group, and produces a bright red color upon combustion with a flame. This metal has 3 protons, 3 electrons, and 4 neutrons. It is also soft, white and highly reactive, often forming hydroxides. Lithium readily loses one of its three electrons to form substances containing the Li+ cation. Its melting point is 180.5 °C and its boiling point is 1,342 °C. Lithium ions may also have antibacterial effects, as they can disrupt the bacterial cell wall and release cytoplasmic components, leading to dehydration. This in turn disrupts DNA and RNA nucleotide chains and hinder enzyme function via altering the protein’s shape. The two primary sources of lithium are spodumene mines and salar brine water. Spodumene is composed of hard rock and crystals (which contain lithium) and are extracted during mining. Australia is the largest producer of spodumene, as the world’s largest mines are found there. Chile, China, and Argentina are major producers of lithium-containing salars as they have the ideal geological conditions and climate which allow for the extraction of lithium. Lithium salts (e.g. carbonate, sulfate, or citrate) are utilized as psychiatric medication to treat mood-disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depression. Lithium salts have different effects when absorbed into the body depending on the individual, and absorbing high levels may be fatal. This is why blood sampling is routinely done to ensure one is taking the correct amount of dosage.