The Lop Nor saline lake in the east Tarim basin,extends115 km from the south to the north,and 90 km from the east to the west,which covers an area of 10350 km2.It is the world’s largest dry saline lake,and is also so...The Lop Nor saline lake in the east Tarim basin,extends115 km from the south to the north,and 90 km from the east to the west,which covers an area of 10350 km2.It is the world’s largest dry saline lake,and is also so far the largest展开更多
Objective The Lop Nor Basin is a very important Quaternary potash-formation basin in China. It is a typical sulphate- potash brine mine with an average grade of 1.4% (KC1) in underground concentrated brines. It is e...Objective The Lop Nor Basin is a very important Quaternary potash-formation basin in China. It is a typical sulphate- potash brine mine with an average grade of 1.4% (KC1) in underground concentrated brines. It is extraordinary that the reservoir of potassium-rich brines is glauberite stratum rather than halite rock. The anomalous potassium enrichment, advanced in relative early stage of lake evolution (sulphate stage), has attracted much attention in the recent twenty years. Many researchers consider that there may be other source supply besides the Tarim River.展开更多
1 Introduction The Lop Nor playa,located in the eastern end of the Tarim Basin,capped with a thick salt crust covering an area of approximately 5,500 km2(Ma 2007)that closely resembles a"Great Ear"in satelli...1 Introduction The Lop Nor playa,located in the eastern end of the Tarim Basin,capped with a thick salt crust covering an area of approximately 5,500 km2(Ma 2007)that closely resembles a"Great Ear"in satellite images.Understanding the formation of the salt crust can provide important展开更多
Lop Sea,located at the east end of the Tarim Basin,Northwest China,dried up permanently,which is the terminal lake of the Tarim River.Lop Sea was considered as the lake basin of Lop Nor since Quaternary.However,the po...Lop Sea,located at the east end of the Tarim Basin,Northwest China,dried up permanently,which is the terminal lake of the Tarim River.Lop Sea was considered as the lake basin of Lop Nor since Quaternary.However,the possibility that Lop Nor was away from the Lop Sea in historical time is crucial to be discussed to interpret the proxy records in sediment profiles.To obtain a general view of the evolution of Lop Nor and Lop Sea in a historical period,several approaches were adopted in this paper.First,the Qianlong Thirteen-Row Atlas,an ancient imperial atlas of the Qing Dynasty,which was completed around 1760,indicated that the Tarim River formed a relatively large lake at its modern upstream region.Second,a Digital Elevation Model(DEM)with a 10-m spatial resolution and a relative precision of 0.42 m was derived from TanDEM-X/Terra SAR-X satellite image pairs using the interferometry method,which was verified using ICESat-GLAS laser footprints and a local DEM acquired by a drone.Finally,based on the spatial analysis of historical documents,expedition reports,sediment profiles and archaeological evidence,it can be deduced that the lacustrine deposition was discontinued in the Lop Sea.Six episodes in the evolutionary history of the drainage system in eastern Tarim Basin were summarized.The proved depositional condition variations could be used for future interpretation of proxy records in sediment.The high-accurate DEM provided a reference for the location of further fieldwork in the Lop Sea.The method proposed in this paper may be efficient for the research of inland lakes or rivers in global arid regions.展开更多
Lop Nur is located in the interior of Asian and the lowest part in the eastern Tarim Basin.It is the final destination of major river systems in Tarim Basin and the accumulation center of salt materials(Xia,1987).As
Lop Nur is located at the eastmost end of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,Northwestern China.This study reviews the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of underground brine in Lop Nur,based on analytical data from...Lop Nur is located at the eastmost end of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,Northwestern China.This study reviews the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of underground brine in Lop Nur,based on analytical data from 429 water samples(mainly brine).It is found that in the NE-SW direction,from the periphery to the Luobei sub-depression,while the hydrochemical type varies from the sodium sulfate subtype(S)to the magnesium sulfate subtype(M),the corresponding brine in the phase diagram transfers from the thenardite phase(Then)area,through the bloedite phase(Blo),epsomite phase(Eps),picromerite phase(Picro),finally reaching the sylvite phase(Syl)area.As for the degree of evolution,the sequence is the periphery<Luobei horizontally and the overlying glauberite brine<the underlying clastic brine vertically.It is concluded that the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the brine have evidently been affected through the effects of evaporation and altitude,as well as the changes in local water circulation in recent years.Boron and chloride isotopic compositions show that the glauberite brine is formed under more arid conditions than the clastic one.The strontium isotopic composition indicates that the Lop Nur brine primarily originates from surface water;however,deep recharge may also be involved in the evolution of the brine,according to previous noble gas studies.It is confirmed that the brine in Lop Nur has become enriched with potassium prior to halite precipitation over the full course of the salt lake's evolution.Based on chemical compositions of brine from drillhole LDK01 and previous lithological studies,the evolution of the salt lake can be divided into three stages and it is inferred that the brine in Lop Nur may have undergone at least two significant concentration-dilution periods.展开更多
In the past century, it has long been debated in the archeological, historical, geographical, and many other related communities where the capital of the Luolan and Shanshan states was in the Lop Nor region. This pape...In the past century, it has long been debated in the archeological, historical, geographical, and many other related communities where the capital of the Luolan and Shanshan states was in the Lop Nor region. This paper presents three AMS radiocarbon ages from a newly-discovered ancient city at about 6.3 km to the northwest of the Xiaohe Graveyard, and fifteen new radiocarbon ages from the Loulan (LA), LE, Qieerqiduke, Milan, and Tuyin sites in Lop Nor. The new investigation shows that the age of newly-discovered ancient city is at ca. 440–500 AD, belonging to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 AD). This is about 100–300 years younger than Loulan (ca. 100–230 AD), LE (ca. 230–300 AD), Qieerqiduke (ca. 200 AD), and Tuyin (ca. 100 AD). A wooden beam from Milan fortress is dated to ca. 370 AD, while the age on north wall at west gate of the fortress is younger, around 770 AD, suggesting that its construction time might be at the Tang Dynasty. According to 14C ages, cultural relic style, and the geographical location, the newly-discovered ancient city is probably attributed to "Zhubin City", as documented in the historical literature. Temporally, we name the city "ancient Zhubin River City". However, the characteristics and functions of this ancient city are largely unknown and need more detailed archaeological excavation and investigation in the future. Given its location near the ancient postal relay of Alagan on the crossroad, there is no doubt that the newly-discovered city was at an important geographical position on the Silk Road, no matter whether it was called "Zhubin City", or "Lielo City", or the capital of Loulan state–"Yuni City". Our findings provide new evidence for the temporal and spatial distribution of ancient relic sites and the development of civilization in western China, thus contributing to our understanding of the relationship between human activities and environmental change in the Lop Nor region.展开更多
High precision elevation measurements using DGPS were carried out along three representative tran- sects for the "Great Ear" area, a dry salt lake within the Lop Nor basin. Results indicate that the Lop Nor ...High precision elevation measurements using DGPS were carried out along three representative tran- sects for the "Great Ear" area, a dry salt lake within the Lop Nor basin. Results indicate that the Lop Nor basin is only 5.2 m deep and its lowest point occurs at the center of the "Great Ear". In addition, the basin is asymmetric - steeper in the southwest (0.19‰) and gentler in the northeast (0.09‰). Points along the same "Great Ear" ring were found to have an identical elevation value, but different when from different ones (lower towards the center). The spacing of the "Great Ear" rings was found to be closely related with the surface steepness. The closer the "Great Ear" rings are spaced, the steeper the ground surface, and vice versa. These findings support the argument that the "Great Ear" rings are the former shoreline trails left behind by Lop Nor water during the last few episodes of recession towards its total dry up. A comprehensive analysis of the high precision elevation data, historical accounts, aerial and satellite photographs and imagery, and official topographic maps of the study area suggests that the "Great Ear" area in the Lop Nor basin was incorrectly mapped as being covered by a great body of water on the 1963 topographic maps. A re-interpretation of the 1958 aerial photographs and newer remote sensing imagery indicated that the "Great Ear" ring structure was already in place in 1958 and it continued to appear on the subsequent remote sensing data without any major changes. It is estimated that lake water in the "Great Ear" area of the Lop Nor basin disappeared between the late 1930s and early 1940s.展开更多
The change in the ecological environment in the arid core area is a critical issue in the context of global warming.To study the paleoclimate evolution,precise identification of minerals deposited in Asia’s arid hint...The change in the ecological environment in the arid core area is a critical issue in the context of global warming.To study the paleoclimate evolution,precise identification of minerals deposited in Asia’s arid hinterland,Lop Nur Salt Lake,NW China was conducted.The hyperspectral data of the salt crust was sampled to identify the species and content of sedimentary minerals,and the multispectral photos were used to reconstruct the salt crust morphology using the unmanned aerial vehicles platform.The SUnSAL(sparse unmixing by variable splitting and augmented Lagrangian)method was employed to inverse the sedimentary mineral components along the shoreline.The heterogeneity of salt and clay minerals in bright and dark ear-shaped strips was evaluated.The paleoclimatic environment associated with salt lake extinction was reconstructed by analyzing paleoclimate records of sediments,spectral reflectance and morphology of the salt crust.Results show that:(1)the variations in the micro-geomorphology of the salt crust are obviously the reason for the formation of bright and dark ear-shaped strips and the differences in the species and relative content of the sedimentary minerals are the microscopic reason.The high ratio of sedimentary salt minerals to clay minerals(RS/C)contributes to the high reflectivity,and the salt crust presents a bright texture.The low RS/C results in the low reflectivity,salt crust presents a dark texture;(2)the bright and dark ear-shaped strips represent warm-arid and cold-humid climates.The shape of the Lop Nur Lake shoreline evolved due to alternating warm-dry and cold-humid paleoclimate changes.展开更多
Lop Nur potash mine greening projects is located in the heart of the Lop Nur, known as the "green zone ban". The project overcomes the extreme drought, high temperature, gale and dust salt and salt, and many other a...Lop Nur potash mine greening projects is located in the heart of the Lop Nur, known as the "green zone ban". The project overcomes the extreme drought, high temperature, gale and dust salt and salt, and many other adverse environmen- tal factors. Adopted the suitable salt improvement measures and management tech- nology, the artificial green has emerged in the sea of death. At the same time the greening project improved the office environment of mining area, and shaped ex- treme environment greening projects successful cases.展开更多
The Lop Nur Salt Lake, located in the eastern part of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China, has become a playa in the Quaternary. Rhombic in shape, the Lop Nur depression is mainly controlled by the NE-striking and nearly...The Lop Nur Salt Lake, located in the eastern part of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China, has become a playa in the Quaternary. Rhombic in shape, the Lop Nur depression is mainly controlled by the NE-striking and nearly N-S-striking sets of faults. Since 1995, a superlarge brine potash deposit with potash resources of 2.50×10^8s t has been found in the Luobei subbasin in the northeastern part of the Lop Nur. We intensively studied the features and formation mechanism of faults inside the Lop Nur through satellite images, geomorphologic survey and continuous conductivity imaging and found seven subparallel graben faults formed under the action of nearly N 10° E principal compressional stress during deposition of the Lop Nur Salt Lake. These faults are up to 〉60 km long and 1-4 km wide and may extend downward for 1000 m or more. It is just under the action of these tensional faults that potash subbasius formed. The largest subbasin is the Luobei subbasin and the smaller ones are the Luoxi hollow, Erbei hollow and Tienan hollow. Investigation also indicates that the graben faults in the Lop Nur not only control the origin of the potash subbasins, but they themselves are also good brine reservoir structures, in which abundant potash-rich brines are stored. Therefore, The faults had played an important role in the potash formation of the Lop Nur.展开更多
Potash deposits commonly accumulate in highly restricted settings at the final stage of brine evaporation. This does not mean that potash deposits are formed simply as a result of the evaporation concentration of seaw...Potash deposits commonly accumulate in highly restricted settings at the final stage of brine evaporation. This does not mean that potash deposits are formed simply as a result of the evaporation concentration of seawater or lake water, but rather as a coupling result of particular provenance, tectonics and climate activities. In this paper, we focus on the formative mechanism of the potash deposits of Lop Nur depression in Tarim Basin to interpret the detailed coupling mechanism among provenance, tectonics and climate. In terms of the provenance of Lop Nur Lake, the water of the Tarim River which displays "potassium-rich" characteristics play an important role. In addition, the Pliocene and Lower-Middle Pleistocene clastic beds surrounding Lop Nur Lake host a certain amount of soluble potassium and thus serves as "source beds" for potash formation. During the late Pliocene, the Lop Nur region has declined and evolved into a great lake from the previous piedmont and diluvial fan area. Since the mid Pleistocene, the great-united Lop Nur Lake has been separated and has generated a chain system consisting of Taitema Lake, Big Ear Lake and Luobei Lake which has turned into the deepest sag in Lop Nur Lake. Dry climate in Lop Nur region has increased since the Pliocene, and became extreme at the late Pleistocene. The study implies that potash formation in Lop Nur Lake depends on the optimal combination of extreme components of provenance, tectonics and climate during a shorter-term period. The optimal patterns of three factors are generally characterized by the long-term accumulation and preliminary enrichment of potassium, the occurrence of the deepest sub-depression and the appearance of an extremely arid climate in Lop Nur region. These factors have been interacting synergistically since the forming of the saline lake and in the later stages strong "vapor extraction" caused by extremely arid climate is needed to trigger large scale mineralization of potash deposits.展开更多
Located in the eastern part of the Tarim basin, Xinjiang, the Lop Nur was an ultimate water catchment area of the Tarim basin during the Quaternary. Through nearly ten years of investigation and research, the authors ...Located in the eastern part of the Tarim basin, Xinjiang, the Lop Nur was an ultimate water catchment area of the Tarim basin during the Quaternary. Through nearly ten years of investigation and research, the authors have found a superlarge brine potash deposit in the Luobei subbasin—a secondary basin of the Lop Nur depression. The deposit has been mined now. On that basis, the authors propose new theories on the genesis of the potash rock deposit. In the tectonic and geomorphologic contexts, the Tarim basin lies in a 'high mountain-deep basin' environment. At the beginning of the Quaternary, influenced by the neotectonic movement, the Lop Nur evolved into a 'deep basin' in the Tarim basin. At the end of the middle Pleistocene, neotectonic migration began to take place in the interior of the Lop Nur and a new secondary deep basin—the Luobei subbasin—formed gradually. Despite its small area, it is actually the deepest subbasin in the Lop Nur depression, where brines of the Lop Nur Salt Lake gather and evaporate, thus providing materials for the formation of a superlarge brine potash rock deposit. With respect to the phenomenon of brine concentration and change with deepening of the lake, the authors propose a model of 'high mountain-deep basin' tectonic migration for potash concentration. In the sedimentological context, the honeycomb-shaped voids developed in glauberite rock in the subbasin are good space for potash-rich brine accumulation. Study indicates that the deposition of glauberite requires recharge of calcium-rich water. In the Tarim area the calcium-rich water might come from deep formation water or oilfield water, and the river water recharging the Lop Nur Salt Lake was rich in sulfate radicals and other components; in addition, the climate in the area was very dry and the brine evaporated steadily, thus resulting in deposition of substantial amount of glauberite, potash accumulation in intercrystal brine and final formation of the potash deposit. Generally, potash formation in a salt lake undergoes a three-stage process of 'carbonates—?sulfates (gypsum and glauberite)—^chlorides (halite etc.)', but in the study area there only occurred a two-stage process of 'carbonates—>sulfates (gypsum and glauberite)'. The authors call this new geological phenomenon the 'two-stage potash formation' model. In conclusion, the superlarge Lop Nur potash deposit is the result of combined 'high mountain-deep basin' tectonism and 'two-stage potash formation'.展开更多
文摘The Lop Nor saline lake in the east Tarim basin,extends115 km from the south to the north,and 90 km from the east to the west,which covers an area of 10350 km2.It is the world’s largest dry saline lake,and is also so far the largest
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41002028)the Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(Grant No.YK1404)Technology Foundation for Selected Overseas Chinese Scholar, Ministry of Personnel of China(Grant No.A1406)
文摘Objective The Lop Nor Basin is a very important Quaternary potash-formation basin in China. It is a typical sulphate- potash brine mine with an average grade of 1.4% (KC1) in underground concentrated brines. It is extraordinary that the reservoir of potassium-rich brines is glauberite stratum rather than halite rock. The anomalous potassium enrichment, advanced in relative early stage of lake evolution (sulphate stage), has attracted much attention in the recent twenty years. Many researchers consider that there may be other source supply besides the Tarim River.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41002028)Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund (Grant No. K1102)
文摘1 Introduction The Lop Nor playa,located in the eastern end of the Tarim Basin,capped with a thick salt crust covering an area of approximately 5,500 km2(Ma 2007)that closely resembles a"Great Ear"in satellite images.Understanding the formation of the salt crust can provide important
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42071313,41671353,U1303285,41571363,41431174,61471358,41201346,41301394,41301464)。
文摘Lop Sea,located at the east end of the Tarim Basin,Northwest China,dried up permanently,which is the terminal lake of the Tarim River.Lop Sea was considered as the lake basin of Lop Nor since Quaternary.However,the possibility that Lop Nor was away from the Lop Sea in historical time is crucial to be discussed to interpret the proxy records in sediment profiles.To obtain a general view of the evolution of Lop Nor and Lop Sea in a historical period,several approaches were adopted in this paper.First,the Qianlong Thirteen-Row Atlas,an ancient imperial atlas of the Qing Dynasty,which was completed around 1760,indicated that the Tarim River formed a relatively large lake at its modern upstream region.Second,a Digital Elevation Model(DEM)with a 10-m spatial resolution and a relative precision of 0.42 m was derived from TanDEM-X/Terra SAR-X satellite image pairs using the interferometry method,which was verified using ICESat-GLAS laser footprints and a local DEM acquired by a drone.Finally,based on the spatial analysis of historical documents,expedition reports,sediment profiles and archaeological evidence,it can be deduced that the lacustrine deposition was discontinued in the Lop Sea.Six episodes in the evolutionary history of the drainage system in eastern Tarim Basin were summarized.The proved depositional condition variations could be used for future interpretation of proxy records in sediment.The high-accurate DEM provided a reference for the location of further fieldwork in the Lop Sea.The method proposed in this paper may be efficient for the research of inland lakes or rivers in global arid regions.
文摘Lop Nur is located in the interior of Asian and the lowest part in the eastern Tarim Basin.It is the final destination of major river systems in Tarim Basin and the accumulation center of salt materials(Xia,1987).As
基金The Major Projects of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China(Grant Nos.2020A03005-2 and 2022A03009-2)from the Chinese governmentthe National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40830420)provided the funding for this study。
文摘Lop Nur is located at the eastmost end of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,Northwestern China.This study reviews the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of underground brine in Lop Nur,based on analytical data from 429 water samples(mainly brine).It is found that in the NE-SW direction,from the periphery to the Luobei sub-depression,while the hydrochemical type varies from the sodium sulfate subtype(S)to the magnesium sulfate subtype(M),the corresponding brine in the phase diagram transfers from the thenardite phase(Then)area,through the bloedite phase(Blo),epsomite phase(Eps),picromerite phase(Picro),finally reaching the sylvite phase(Syl)area.As for the degree of evolution,the sequence is the periphery<Luobei horizontally and the overlying glauberite brine<the underlying clastic brine vertically.It is concluded that the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the brine have evidently been affected through the effects of evaporation and altitude,as well as the changes in local water circulation in recent years.Boron and chloride isotopic compositions show that the glauberite brine is formed under more arid conditions than the clastic one.The strontium isotopic composition indicates that the Lop Nur brine primarily originates from surface water;however,deep recharge may also be involved in the evolution of the brine,according to previous noble gas studies.It is confirmed that the brine in Lop Nur has become enriched with potassium prior to halite precipitation over the full course of the salt lake's evolution.Based on chemical compositions of brine from drillhole LDK01 and previous lithological studies,the evolution of the salt lake can be divided into three stages and it is inferred that the brine in Lop Nur may have undergone at least two significant concentration-dilution periods.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Founda-tion of China (Grant No 40771216)Hundred Talent Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Project of Water Resources in Northwest of China,Chinese Academy of Engineering
文摘In the past century, it has long been debated in the archeological, historical, geographical, and many other related communities where the capital of the Luolan and Shanshan states was in the Lop Nor region. This paper presents three AMS radiocarbon ages from a newly-discovered ancient city at about 6.3 km to the northwest of the Xiaohe Graveyard, and fifteen new radiocarbon ages from the Loulan (LA), LE, Qieerqiduke, Milan, and Tuyin sites in Lop Nor. The new investigation shows that the age of newly-discovered ancient city is at ca. 440–500 AD, belonging to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 AD). This is about 100–300 years younger than Loulan (ca. 100–230 AD), LE (ca. 230–300 AD), Qieerqiduke (ca. 200 AD), and Tuyin (ca. 100 AD). A wooden beam from Milan fortress is dated to ca. 370 AD, while the age on north wall at west gate of the fortress is younger, around 770 AD, suggesting that its construction time might be at the Tang Dynasty. According to 14C ages, cultural relic style, and the geographical location, the newly-discovered ancient city is probably attributed to "Zhubin City", as documented in the historical literature. Temporally, we name the city "ancient Zhubin River City". However, the characteristics and functions of this ancient city are largely unknown and need more detailed archaeological excavation and investigation in the future. Given its location near the ancient postal relay of Alagan on the crossroad, there is no doubt that the newly-discovered city was at an important geographical position on the Silk Road, no matter whether it was called "Zhubin City", or "Lielo City", or the capital of Loulan state–"Yuni City". Our findings provide new evidence for the temporal and spatial distribution of ancient relic sites and the development of civilization in western China, thus contributing to our understanding of the relationship between human activities and environmental change in the Lop Nor region.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40671080)the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0412)the Key Subject of Soil Science Program in Xinjiang
文摘High precision elevation measurements using DGPS were carried out along three representative tran- sects for the "Great Ear" area, a dry salt lake within the Lop Nor basin. Results indicate that the Lop Nor basin is only 5.2 m deep and its lowest point occurs at the center of the "Great Ear". In addition, the basin is asymmetric - steeper in the southwest (0.19‰) and gentler in the northeast (0.09‰). Points along the same "Great Ear" ring were found to have an identical elevation value, but different when from different ones (lower towards the center). The spacing of the "Great Ear" rings was found to be closely related with the surface steepness. The closer the "Great Ear" rings are spaced, the steeper the ground surface, and vice versa. These findings support the argument that the "Great Ear" rings are the former shoreline trails left behind by Lop Nor water during the last few episodes of recession towards its total dry up. A comprehensive analysis of the high precision elevation data, historical accounts, aerial and satellite photographs and imagery, and official topographic maps of the study area suggests that the "Great Ear" area in the Lop Nor basin was incorrectly mapped as being covered by a great body of water on the 1963 topographic maps. A re-interpretation of the 1958 aerial photographs and newer remote sensing imagery indicated that the "Great Ear" ring structure was already in place in 1958 and it continued to appear on the subsequent remote sensing data without any major changes. It is estimated that lake water in the "Great Ear" area of the Lop Nor basin disappeared between the late 1930s and early 1940s.
基金This is a special mineral-prospecting project assigned by the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources and partly financed by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences Among the investigators were also Zheng Yuan and others
文摘In October, 1989, the two-route surveying (Fig. 1) was completed by the Saline
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42071313,41571363)the Science and Technology Project for Black Soil Granary(No.XDA28080500)the Scientific Investigation of Natural and Cultural Heritage of Lop Nur Region(No.2014FY210500)。
文摘The change in the ecological environment in the arid core area is a critical issue in the context of global warming.To study the paleoclimate evolution,precise identification of minerals deposited in Asia’s arid hinterland,Lop Nur Salt Lake,NW China was conducted.The hyperspectral data of the salt crust was sampled to identify the species and content of sedimentary minerals,and the multispectral photos were used to reconstruct the salt crust morphology using the unmanned aerial vehicles platform.The SUnSAL(sparse unmixing by variable splitting and augmented Lagrangian)method was employed to inverse the sedimentary mineral components along the shoreline.The heterogeneity of salt and clay minerals in bright and dark ear-shaped strips was evaluated.The paleoclimatic environment associated with salt lake extinction was reconstructed by analyzing paleoclimate records of sediments,spectral reflectance and morphology of the salt crust.Results show that:(1)the variations in the micro-geomorphology of the salt crust are obviously the reason for the formation of bright and dark ear-shaped strips and the differences in the species and relative content of the sedimentary minerals are the microscopic reason.The high ratio of sedimentary salt minerals to clay minerals(RS/C)contributes to the high reflectivity,and the salt crust presents a bright texture.The low RS/C results in the low reflectivity,salt crust presents a dark texture;(2)the bright and dark ear-shaped strips represent warm-arid and cold-humid climates.The shape of the Lop Nur Lake shoreline evolved due to alternating warm-dry and cold-humid paleoclimate changes.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31300449)Science and Technology Support Program of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region(201433101)+1 种基金Doctoral Fund in the West of China of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XBBS201205)Major Science and Technology Program of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region(201130106-3)
文摘Lop Nur potash mine greening projects is located in the heart of the Lop Nur, known as the "green zone ban". The project overcomes the extreme drought, high temperature, gale and dust salt and salt, and many other adverse environmen- tal factors. Adopted the suitable salt improvement measures and management tech- nology, the artificial green has emerged in the sea of death. At the same time the greening project improved the office environment of mining area, and shaped ex- treme environment greening projects successful cases.
文摘The Lop Nur Salt Lake, located in the eastern part of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China, has become a playa in the Quaternary. Rhombic in shape, the Lop Nur depression is mainly controlled by the NE-striking and nearly N-S-striking sets of faults. Since 1995, a superlarge brine potash deposit with potash resources of 2.50×10^8s t has been found in the Luobei subbasin in the northeastern part of the Lop Nur. We intensively studied the features and formation mechanism of faults inside the Lop Nur through satellite images, geomorphologic survey and continuous conductivity imaging and found seven subparallel graben faults formed under the action of nearly N 10° E principal compressional stress during deposition of the Lop Nur Salt Lake. These faults are up to 〉60 km long and 1-4 km wide and may extend downward for 1000 m or more. It is just under the action of these tensional faults that potash subbasius formed. The largest subbasin is the Luobei subbasin and the smaller ones are the Luoxi hollow, Erbei hollow and Tienan hollow. Investigation also indicates that the graben faults in the Lop Nur not only control the origin of the potash subbasins, but they themselves are also good brine reservoir structures, in which abundant potash-rich brines are stored. Therefore, The faults had played an important role in the potash formation of the Lop Nur.
基金funded by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2011CB403007)the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China(No.40830420)
文摘Potash deposits commonly accumulate in highly restricted settings at the final stage of brine evaporation. This does not mean that potash deposits are formed simply as a result of the evaporation concentration of seawater or lake water, but rather as a coupling result of particular provenance, tectonics and climate activities. In this paper, we focus on the formative mechanism of the potash deposits of Lop Nur depression in Tarim Basin to interpret the detailed coupling mechanism among provenance, tectonics and climate. In terms of the provenance of Lop Nur Lake, the water of the Tarim River which displays "potassium-rich" characteristics play an important role. In addition, the Pliocene and Lower-Middle Pleistocene clastic beds surrounding Lop Nur Lake host a certain amount of soluble potassium and thus serves as "source beds" for potash formation. During the late Pliocene, the Lop Nur region has declined and evolved into a great lake from the previous piedmont and diluvial fan area. Since the mid Pleistocene, the great-united Lop Nur Lake has been separated and has generated a chain system consisting of Taitema Lake, Big Ear Lake and Luobei Lake which has turned into the deepest sag in Lop Nur Lake. Dry climate in Lop Nur region has increased since the Pliocene, and became extreme at the late Pleistocene. The study implies that potash formation in Lop Nur Lake depends on the optimal combination of extreme components of provenance, tectonics and climate during a shorter-term period. The optimal patterns of three factors are generally characterized by the long-term accumulation and preliminary enrichment of potassium, the occurrence of the deepest sub-depression and the appearance of an extremely arid climate in Lop Nur region. These factors have been interacting synergistically since the forming of the saline lake and in the later stages strong "vapor extraction" caused by extremely arid climate is needed to trigger large scale mineralization of potash deposits.
基金the Oriented Foundation Proiect (DKD 95—22) the form er Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources,State 305 Project(96-915—08—05)+2 种基金 the Ministry of Science Technology and Project 992025 the Ministry of Land and Resources.
文摘Located in the eastern part of the Tarim basin, Xinjiang, the Lop Nur was an ultimate water catchment area of the Tarim basin during the Quaternary. Through nearly ten years of investigation and research, the authors have found a superlarge brine potash deposit in the Luobei subbasin—a secondary basin of the Lop Nur depression. The deposit has been mined now. On that basis, the authors propose new theories on the genesis of the potash rock deposit. In the tectonic and geomorphologic contexts, the Tarim basin lies in a 'high mountain-deep basin' environment. At the beginning of the Quaternary, influenced by the neotectonic movement, the Lop Nur evolved into a 'deep basin' in the Tarim basin. At the end of the middle Pleistocene, neotectonic migration began to take place in the interior of the Lop Nur and a new secondary deep basin—the Luobei subbasin—formed gradually. Despite its small area, it is actually the deepest subbasin in the Lop Nur depression, where brines of the Lop Nur Salt Lake gather and evaporate, thus providing materials for the formation of a superlarge brine potash rock deposit. With respect to the phenomenon of brine concentration and change with deepening of the lake, the authors propose a model of 'high mountain-deep basin' tectonic migration for potash concentration. In the sedimentological context, the honeycomb-shaped voids developed in glauberite rock in the subbasin are good space for potash-rich brine accumulation. Study indicates that the deposition of glauberite requires recharge of calcium-rich water. In the Tarim area the calcium-rich water might come from deep formation water or oilfield water, and the river water recharging the Lop Nur Salt Lake was rich in sulfate radicals and other components; in addition, the climate in the area was very dry and the brine evaporated steadily, thus resulting in deposition of substantial amount of glauberite, potash accumulation in intercrystal brine and final formation of the potash deposit. Generally, potash formation in a salt lake undergoes a three-stage process of 'carbonates—?sulfates (gypsum and glauberite)—^chlorides (halite etc.)', but in the study area there only occurred a two-stage process of 'carbonates—>sulfates (gypsum and glauberite)'. The authors call this new geological phenomenon the 'two-stage potash formation' model. In conclusion, the superlarge Lop Nur potash deposit is the result of combined 'high mountain-deep basin' tectonism and 'two-stage potash formation'.