中国盐湖的基本特征

THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SALT LAKES IN CHINA

盐湖中蕴藏着富饶的非金属和稀土矿产资源,盐湖沉积序列对研究干旱-半干旱区的古气候古环境演变,也占有重要的地位。本文综合现有资料,论述了中国盐湖的分布、水化学特征和盐湖类型、盐类矿物、盐类物质来源以及成盐期的基本特征。

China is one of the countries that have many salt lakes. According to the incomplete statistics, there are about 1000 salt lakes in China with an area of more than 50 000 km^2 totally. Salt lakes are mainly distributed in the north part of China, which are between 32—49°N, with the elevation of salt lakes ranging from —154 to 4800 m. The characteristics of great height difference and terraced distribution of salt lakes in China are very unique in the world.The formation, development and distribution of salt lakes in China are controlled by structure. There are rich rare-earth elements in salt lake water and intercrystalline brines, especially characterized by enrichment of B, Li, Rb, Cs, K, Mg etc. There are about 62 kinds of salt minerals. The borate minerals take an important place. The ages of salt lakes in China are much younger, most of them are late Pleistocene products. The age data of salt lakes on hand indicated that 25 000 a B. P. and 17 000—15 000 a B. P. are two important salt-forming stages in China.