From the cosmological Li problem to the Galactic Li evolution

TL;DR

This paper explores the cosmological lithium problem, stellar destruction and re-accumulation of Li, LiH in the interstellar medium, and the different lithium enrichment histories in the Galactic discs based on Gaia-ESO data.

Contribution

It introduces a stellar solution to the cosmological Li problem and compares Li evolution in the Galactic thick and thin discs using recent survey data.

Findings

Li was destroyed and re-accumulated by stars early in their lives.

LiH is present in the interstellar medium, indicating ongoing chemical processes.

Distinct Li enrichment histories are observed in the Galactic thick and thin discs.

Abstract

Li is the very element that presents deep insights yet many problems to astrophysics. In this proceeding manuscript I first introduce a stellar solution to the cosmological Li problem, which reveals that Li was first destroyed and re-accumulated by these stars shortly after they were born, then discuss Li in the interstellar medium in the form of the molecule LiH, and the different Li enrichment histories seen in the Galactic thick and thin discs with data from the Gaia-ESO survey.