Mangroves uptake lithium and beryllium, contributing to the mitigation of contamination risks in the sundarbans

Mangroves are well recognized for their capacity to accumulate heavy metals within their tissues and surrounding sediments, positioning them as promising candidates for phytoremediation in polluted coastal environments. However, mangroves are increasingly threatened by the natural and man-made activities that cause adverse effects on their growth. Such effects are rarely recognized for certain hazardous trace metals used in the battery industry like lithium (Li) and the coal industry like beryllium (Be). This study quantified concentrations of Li and Be in sediments and plant tissues from eight dominant species, assessed their distribution and bioavailability, and evaluated associated ecotoxicological risks in the Sundarbans, a part of the world’s largest mangrove forest in India. Results showed that Li concentrations in sediment (42.1 ± 7.8 mg kg− 1) exceeded the Mean of Continental Crust and indicated influence of anthropogenic contamination. The Be concentration in sediment is much lower than Li (2.4 ± 0.5 mg kg− 1) and aligned with the reference level for both continental crust and marine sediment. While limited bioavailability of Li and Be was observed in most of the mangrove plants, several species were identified which have potential for Li accumulation and a role in phytoremediation (e.g., Ceriops decandra). Given the increased production of batteries, industrial use, growing demand for new technological resources, and their unsustainable disposal, detailed future work holds the potential to better understand the exact sources and contamination of Li in particular, and the role of mangroves in bioremediation processes.