Abstract
ABSTRACT We study the behaviour of lithium atoms in the radiation field of main-sequence (MS) stars. The radiation pressure on atoms in the resonant lines of the ${\rm Li\, {\small I}}$ 6708 Å doublet exceeds the gravity at Teff > 3000 K. The lifetime of ${\rm Li}$ atoms before their ionization is sufficient to achieve the escape velocity. Free ${\rm Li}$ atoms cannot approach the pre-main sequence (PMS) and MS stars if the surrounding gas is sufficiently transparent. Accretion of small bodies (SBs) can partially restore the lithium abundance when SB directly falls on to the star in elongated orbits. In the case of accretion from discs consisting of SB fragments, when the parent bodies move in quasi-circular orbits, the boundary of the SB sublimation region plays a decisive role. Near hot stars, the free ${\rm Li}$ atom is rapidly ionized and participates in accretion on to the star in the form of ions, contributing to an increase in the ${\rm Li}$ abundance. Low-mass stars with low temperatures cannot hold lithium atoms. Near stars with Planck energy distribution in the radiation field, lithium deficiency occurs if 3000 K < Teff < 3400 K. New stars with [Fe/H] = 0.0 may indicate a lithium deficiency at Teff < 5000 K. Failure of the lithium test to estimate the age of a stellar cluster may indicate a significant contribution of accretion in the form of debris discs consisting of SBs.