Lithium evolution in the Milky Way discs: the view using large stellar samples

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolution of lithium abundances in the Milky Way's thin and thick discs, emphasizing recent observational data and the uncertainties in understanding Li enrichment and depletion.

Contribution

It provides an overview of lithium evolution in Galactic discs based on recent large stellar surveys and discusses the challenges in separating thin and thick disc star populations.

Findings

Li enrichment mainly occurs in the thin disc

Li abundances decrease in stars with super-solar metallicity

Uncertainties remain in Li evolution for thick disc stars

Abstract

This contribution presents an overview of the evolution of Li abundances in stars of the Galactic thin and thick discs, from the observational point of view. The focus is on Li abundances obtained by recent projects and surveys. To separate thin and thick disc stars, both chemical abundances, kinematics, and ages can be used. For thick disc stars, the Li evolution is uncertain, as differences appear depending on how the stars were separated. Nevertheless, it seems clear that most of the Galactic enrichment in Li takes place in the thin disc. Literature consensus also seems to exist regarding the decrease in the Li abundances of stars with metallicity above solar. A brief discussion is included on some of the uncertainties that should be kept in mind when trying to understand the Li observations. This review ends listing two interesting open questions regarding Li abundances in Milky Way disc stars.