Lithium extraction from salt lakes with different hydrochemical types in the Tibet Plateau

The demand for lithium resources is increasing sharply with the rapid development of electric vehicles.It is of great economic significance to expand the geological resources of lithium and improve the utilization rate of lithium-containing salt lakes.In this paper,the hydrochemical types of the lithium-containing salt lakes in the Tibet Plateau were classified according to a large amount of hydrochemical data obtained from a recent investigation on the Tibet Plateau.In addition,the lithium extraction methods used in the salt lakes within each hydrochemical type area were analyzed and summarized,which provided a reference for the selection of lithium extraction processes in the same hydrochemical type of lithium-containing salt lakes in the future.The binding energies of Li(l)and anions in salt lakes with different hydrochemical types were calculated by density functional theory,which provides the theoretical basis for selecting the best lithium extraction technology in different salt lakes.We emphasize that the process with the combined characteristics of high efficiency,economy and environmental protection should be selected according to the hydrochemical type of different salt lakes.In the future,different salt lakes should focus on direct lithium extraction technology from the original brine.

Hydrochemical characteristics of salt marsh wetlands in western Songnen Plain

In western Songnen Plain of China, the saline-alkaline degree of water bodies is high in salt marsh wetlands. Generally, pH is above 8.0, and the hydrochemical types belong to HCO3 2?-Na+. Through analysis on the basic saline variables such as CO3 2?, HCO3 2?, Cl?, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4 2?, Na+, and the derivative variables such as SAR, SDR, RSC, SSP, the relationships between different variables are found, and the discriminant equations are established to identify different saline-alkaline water bodies by using principal component analysis.

Analysis on Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Their Temporal and Spatial Variation in the Karst Catchment of Lianjiang River,Northern Guangdong Province

[ Objective] The study aimed to discuss the hydrogeochemical features and their temporal and spatial variation in the karst catchment of Lianjiang River, northem Guangdong Province. [ Method] Water samples were collected from 10 sub-drainages of Lianjiang River in July of 2012 and January of 2013, and then major chemical ions in tributaries of Xingzi River and Tongguanshui River were analyzed in detail to discuss the hydrochemistry type, spatial and temporal distribution and its causes of formation in Lianjiang River basin. [ Result] Among chemical ions in the wa- ter samples, Ca2. and HCO^- were dominant in Lianjiang River, accounting for over 70% and 80% of total concentrations of cations and anions re- spectively, followed by Mg2＋ and SO24-. The concentrations of most major ions were higher in winter than those in summer except SO4^2- concentra- tion was much higher in summer than that in winter, which was related to anthropogenic factors. From hydrochemical types, it is seen that HCO3-- Ca2＋ type in summer and HCO3--Ca2＋ ~ Mg2. type in winter were dominant in Lianjiang River, followed by the HCO3--SO4^2- · Ca2＋ type, and only two samples of Xingzi River belonged to HCO3--Ca2＋ Mg2· Na＋ type in winter. The spatial distribution regularity of chemical ions was not obvi- ous in the 10 sub-drainages of Lianjiang River. The concentrations of chemical ions changed greatly in the upper reaches but slightly in the lower reaches of Xingzi River catchment. The concentrations of chemical ions were steady in Tongguanshui River catchment with a smaller area, and it was a little higher in the upper reaches than those in the lower reaches. [ Conclusion] Natural processes, such as lithological heterogeneities and at- mospheric precipitation, contributed to the chemical composition of Lianjiang River catchment, northem Guangdong Province.

Assessment of trace metal contamination in groundwater in a highly urbanizing area of Shenfu New District, Northeast China

Shenfu New District, located between two old industrial cities, Shenyang and Fushun, is a typical area undergoing industrialization and urbanization in China. The sources and distributions of heavy metals were analyzed in groundwater by multivariate analysis and GIS, and the impact of urbanization on the aqueous distribution of these metals was investigated. The results indicated that the mean contents of zinc （Zn）, arsenic （As）, cadmium （Cd）, and lead （Pb） in the wet periods were about two times of those in the dry period. Nickel （Ni） and chromium （Cr） were considered to be associated with the same anthropogenic origins （i.e., wastewater from agri- cultural processing）. The concentration of Zn was high under natural conditions, but was also affected by human activities （e.g., wastewater from foundry and instrument manufacturers）. As, Cd, and Pb are likely derived from both anthropogenic and natural sources （agricultural and water-rock interactions）. The spatial distributions of heavy metals in groundwater were region-specific, with the highest concentrations mostly along the Hun River. The heavy metal pollution index （HPI） values from the dry and wet periods showed similar trends at different sampling sites. Only one site＇s HPI was above the critical value of 100. These results provide information that can be used to understand potential threats to the groundwater resources of other developing cities.

Assessment of major ions and heavy metals in groundwater： a case study from Guangzhou and Zhuhai of the Pearl River Delta, China

Anthropogenic activities in the Pearl River Delta （PRD） have caused a deterioration of groundwater quality over the past twenty years as a result of rapid urbanization and industrial development. In this study, the hydrochemical characteristics, quality, and sources of heavy metals in the groundwater of the PRD were investigated. Twenty-five groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity （EC）, total dissolved solids （TDS）, δ18O,δ~2H, major ions, and heavy metals. The groundwater was slightly acidic and presented TDS values that ranged from 35.5 to 8,779.3 mg.L-1. The concentrations of the major ions followed the order Cl- 〉 HCO3-〉 Na＋ 〉 SO24- 〉 NO3 〉 NH4＋ 〉 Ca2＋ 〉 K＋ 〉 Mg2＋ 〉 Fe2＋/3＋ 〉 Al3＋. Ca-Mg- HCO3 and Na-K-HCO3 were the predominant types of facies, and the chemical composition of the groundwater was primarily controlled by chemical weathering of the basement rocks, by mixing of freshwater and seawater and by anthropogenic activities. The heavy metal pollution index （HPI） indicated that 64% of the samples were in the low category, 16% were in the medium category and 20% were in the high category, providing further evidence that this groundwater is unsuitable for drinking. Lead, arsenic, and manganese were mainly sourced from landfill leachate; cadmium from landfill leachate and agricultural wastes; mercury from the discharge of leaehate associated with mining activities and agricultural wastes; and chromium primarily from industrial wastes. According to the irrigation water quality indicators, the groundwater in the PRD can be used for irrigation in most farmland without strong negative impacts. However, approximately9 million people in the Guangdong Province are at risk due to the consumption of untreated water. Therefore, we suggest that treating the groundwater to achieve safer levels is necessary.