The temporal and spatial variations of lithium abundance in the Galactic disc

Abstract

This study investigates the temporal and spatial variations in lithium abundance within the Milky Way using a sample of 22 034 main-sequence turn-off (MSTO) stars and subgiants, characterized by precise stellar ages, 3D non-local thermodynamic equilibrium lithium abundances, and birth radii. Our results reveal a complex variation in lithium abundance with stellar age: a gradual increase from 14 to 6 Gyr, followed by a decline between 6 and 4.5 Gyr, and a rapid increase thereafter. We find that young Li-rich stars (ages < 4 Gyr, A(Li) > 2.7 dex) predominantly originate from the outer disc. By binning the sample according to guiding centre radius and z, we observe that these young Li-rich stars migrate radially to the local and inner discs. In addition, the stars originating from the inner disc experienced a rapid Li enrichment process between 8 and 6 Gyr. Our analysis suggests that the age range of Li-dip stars is 4-5 Gyr, encompassing evolution stages from MSTO stars to subgiants. The Galactic radial profile of A(Li) (with respect to birth radius), as a function of age, reveals three distinct periods: 14-6 Gyr ago, 6-4 Gyr ago, and 4-1 Gyr ago. Initially, the lithium abundance gradient is positive, indicating increasing Li abundance with birth radius. During the second period, it transitions to a negative and broken gradient, mainly affected by Li-dip stars. In the final period, the gradient reverts to a positive trend.