Disclaimers

Global Volcanism Program | Salton ButtesThe Salton Buttes consist of five small rhyolitic lava domes extruded onto Quaternary sediments of the Colorado River delta at the SE margin of the Salton Sea. The age of the Salton Buttes has variously been considered to be late Pleistocene or early Holocene based on different dating techniques. Recent paleomagnetic dating calibrated by radiocarbon ages suggests that the Salton Buttes domes were erupted during an interval of about 500 years between about 2300 and 1800 years ago, with the possible exception of Mullet Island at the northern end of the field, which could be as much as 5000 years older. The present-day saline Salton Sea was formed in the early 20th century by unintended flooding into the basin formerly occupied by Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla Lake during diversion of the Colorado River for irrigation purposes. The Salton Sea geothermal field produces saline brines.

The Salton Sea area is a wild west of geothermal, solar, and wind resources. Lithium can provide for energy, but mining lithium can be toxic. Also, the San Andreas Fault runs beneath the Salton Sea so the area is prone to earthquakes.

What to Know About Lithium Toxicity

"Lithium toxicity mostly affects your kidneys and central nervous system. In acute lithium toxicity, your GI tract will be affected too. In more severe cases, you may experience neurological or cardiovascular problems. In early lithium toxicity, you may have mild confusion. As the toxicity worsens, you may feel delirious or even have seizures or go into a coma."

Side Effects of Lithium

To determine whether you’re experiencing lithium toxicity, you first need to know the common side effects of prescribed lithium. They include:

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness or drowsiness
Diarrhea
Changes in appetite
Hand tremors
Dry mouth
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Thinning of hair or hair loss
Acne-like rash‌

Some signs of lithium toxicity are similar to its side effects, but more severe. Symptoms of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, and vision changes. If you experience these, you should seek immediate medical attention to check your lithium levels.

Early Signs of Lithium Toxicity

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing early lithium toxicity:

Loss of appetite, or vomiting
Blurred vision
Excessive thirstiness
Needing to pee frequently
Uncontrollable urination and bowel movements
A lightheaded or drowsy feeling
Confusion and blackouts
Shaking, muscle weakness, twitches, jerks, or spasms affecting your face, tongue, eyes, or neck
Trouble speaking