Table 2. Parameters used to model [LiSW].
| Symbol | Description | Present-day values | 150 Ma ago values | Units | References for present-day values |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [LiSW] | Lithium concentration in seawater | 27 | 184 | μmol/kg H2O | (36) |
| [LiRW] | Lithium concentration in river water | 0.265 | 0.265 | μmol/liter | (15) |
| [LiMOR] | Lithium concentration in MOR hydrothermal vents fluids | 457 ± 66 | 457 ± 66 | μmol/kg H2O | fig. S5 |
| [LiAOC] | Lithium concentration in off-axis hydrothermal fluids | 9–16 (13.4 ± 3.7) | 166 ± 46 | μmol/kg seawater | (46) |
| [LiMAAC] | Lithium concentration in marine aluminosilicate clay diagenetic fluids | 18–26 | μmol/kg H2O | (3) | |
| f RW | River water flux | 3.75 × 1016 | 3.75 × 1016 | liter/year | (39) |
| f MOR | Water flux through axial portions of the MORs | (3 ± 1.5) × 1013 | (4.7 ± 0.5) × 1013 | kg/year | (16) |
| f AOC | Water flux through off-axis oceanic crust | 1.1–24 (1.1) × 1015 | (1.5 ± 0.2) × 1015 | kg/year | (44, 45) |
| f MAAC | Water flux through marine aluminosilicate clays | ||||
| M | Mass of seawater | 1.38 × 1021 | 1.38 × 1021 | kg | Calculated using (39) and average density of seawater (1.025 kg/liter) |
| LiSW | Total Li in seawater | 3.73 × 1016 | 2.54 × 1017 | mol | Calculated using (36) and (39) |
| FRW | Riverine Li flux | 9.94 × 109 | 9.94 × 109 | mol/year | (15) |
| FMOR | High-temperature MOR hydrothermal Li flux | (13.7 ± 2.8) × 109 | (21.6 ± 2.1) × 109 | mol/year | Calculated using (16) and [LiMOR] |
| FAOC | Li flux related to low-temperature altered oceanic crust | 11–41 (14.7 ± 0.8) × 109 | (19.6 ± 2.5) × 109 | mol/year | Calculated using (44) and (46) |
| FMAAC | Li flux related to MAACs | 11.9 × 109 | 11.9 × 109 | mol/year | Based on mass balance |