The extensive use of lithium (Li) ion-based batteries has increased the contamination of soil and water systems due to widespread dispersal of Li products in the environment. In the current study, the influence of Li application on soil fertility and leachate was observed. Three soil samples were collected and five treatments of Li (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L) were applied. After three months of Li treatment, leachate was collected and soil samples were subjected to physical and chemical analyses. The results showed that the mean values of soil pH were increased slightly after Li application while electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 1.2 to 5.1 µS/cm, indicating that soil was slightly saline in nature. The sodium was observed to be greater than the recommended values (0.3–0.7 mg/kg) in Li-amended soil while calcium and magnesium values decreased in soils compared to untreated soil. Mean values of phosphorus and potassium were greater before Li application and reduced considerably after Li application. Leachate analysis showed that all the parameters differed significantly except those of zinc and iron. The EC of leachate samples ranged from 2286–7188 µS/cm, which shows strong salinity. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) ranged from 1–11, which indicates that it falls into the marginal soil category. Lithium concentration in leachate samples ranged from 0–95 mg/L, which was significantly higher than the acceptable value for lithium (2.5 mg/L) in leachate. A soil sample (3) with an additional 10% organic matter showed that after Li application, the loss of nutrients in leachate was less as compared to the other two samples, demonstrating that organic matter improved soil conditions and suppressed the negative effects of Li on soil. Our results could raise concerns about risks in situations where food and fodder crops are associated with Li-contaminated waste disposal.

Heavy metals in cosmetics pose a high threat to human health. In the current study, heavy metals were detected in 15 locally manufactured lipsticks purchased from the native markets in Lahore, Pakistan, using three different techniques. Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr and Ni were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry whereas Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, As and Pb were detected qualitatively using proton induced x-ray emission. X-ray diffraction identified presence of sodium erbium fluoride, quartz (SiO₂), bornite (Cu₅FeS₄), halite (NaCl), calcite (CaCO₃), sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), green cinnabar (Co/Zn oxides), silicon and silica (SiO₂). The health risk assessment showed that there exist a potential threat to consumers due to presence of these elements in lipsticks. All samples contained heavy metals in concentrations exceeding the safe limits provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

This study investigated the leaf litter decomposition dynamics of Hayat-ul-Mir subtropical scrub forest in Pakistan. Litter bags were incubated for 360 days in the forest to elucidate the effect of elevation and incubation time and for 90 days in microcosms to investigate the effect of projected warming (+2.3°C and +4.5°C) and soil moisture (M_15% and M_20%) on litter decomposition. Site elevation significantly affected k and T_50% while time affected mass loss, residual weight, remaining C and N at p < .01 in field. After 360 days of decomposition, ∼48% residual weight with 11.7 ± 0.4% of C and 1.07 ± 0.06% of N was observed in the litter bags. Higher elevations (850–1020 m) were recorded with low C and N mineralization compared to 600–850 m elevations indicating their potential for long term carbon storage. Warming (+4.5°C) significantly accelerated the pace of decomposition in microcosms with comparatively higher mass loss (+26%), k (+34%), and soil CO₂ efflux (+50%) reducing T_50% by 77 days than observed under ambient conditions (T_o). The effect of moisture was insignificant but comparatively, decomposition was high at M_20%. The study concludes that future warming will significantly accelerate the pace of nutrient cycling reducing the carbon storage potential of this ecosystem. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT