Sedimentary characteristics and depositional model of a Paleocene-Eocene salt lake in the Jiangling Depression,China

We studied the sedimentary characteristics of a Paleocene-Eocene salt lake in the Jiangling Depression through field core observation,thin section identification,scanning electron microscopy,and X-ray diffraction analysis.On the basis of sedimentary characteristics we have summarized the petrological and mineralogical characteristics of the salt lake and proposed 9 types of grade IV salt rhythms.The deposition shows a desalting to salting order of halite-argillaceous-mudstone-mud dolostonemud anhydrock-glauberite-halite.The relationship among grade IV rhythms,water salinity and climate fluctuations was analyzed.Based on the analysis of the relationship between boron content and mudstone color and by combining the mineralogy and sedimentary environment characteristics,we propose that the early and late Paleocene Shashi Formation in the Jiangling Depression was a paleolacustrine depositional environment with a high salt content,which is a representation of the shallow water salt lake depositional model.The middle Paleocene Shashi Formation and the early Eocene Xingouzui Formation were salt and brackish sedimentary environments with low salt content in a deep paleolake,which represents a deep salt lake depositional model.

Isotope Dating of the Potash and Rock Salt Deposit at Bamnet Narong, NE-Thailand

Bamnet Narong is located in northeastern Thailand (Chaiyaphum Province). It is the largest salt mine in the country and has been mined for decades. The landscape in this part of Thailand is characterised by a low plateau, which is called the Khorat Plateau. The plateau is divided into two basins by the Phu Phan Range, the Sakhon Nakhon Basin in the north and the Khorat Basin in the south. The analysed potashes and rock salts are deposited in the Maha Sarakham Formation, which represents the salt-bearing strata of the Khorat Basin. The stratigraphic age of this deposit has been debated since the late 1960’s. The assigned ages range from Mid-Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous and up to the Eocene. In this study different isotopic dating systems (Rb-Sr, Sr-Sr, K-Ar and K-Ca) were applied. The stratigraphic age for the time of deposition was confirmed to be Mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Furthermore, the homogeneity of the carnallites was investigated in order to trace a possible redistribution of rubidium.

Connections between Evaporite Deposition and Glacial Periods since the Middle Pleistocene in Salt Lakes in the Western Qaidam Basin, China

The Quaternary was the main evaporite deposition period in the Qaidam Basin(QB), but the correlation between the evaporite deposition period and the glacial period is still unclear. In this study, the research objects are primarily evaporite-bearing strata in a 461.58 m-long drill core in the QB. X-ray powder diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were applied to study the evaporite minerals, U-Th dating being applied to construct the ~(230)Th geochronological framework. Evaporite deposition from Marine Isotope Stage(MIS) 15 to MIS 4 in the borehole was reconstructed via mineralogical and geochronological data. The evaporite minerals are mainly halite(NaCl), mirabilite(Na_(2)SO_(4)·10H_(2)O), thenardite(Na_(2)SO_(4)) and gypsum(CaSO_(4)·2H_(2)O). A total of 9 effective ~(230)Th data points, ranging from 492.5 ± 43.0 ka to 62.0 ± 11.9 ka, were obtained. The depositional age of the earliest halite layer in the borehole is 592.5–563.0 ka. There were mirabilite deposits in the QB during the cold glacial environment of MIS 6. During MIS 4, the study area desiccated, with mirabilite and halite being deposited. This study suggests that mirabilite is an indicator mineral for the glacial environment in the QB, while halite deposition does not correspond well to glaciation.

Geological characteristics and genesis of subbottom pinnoite deposit of Da Qaidam salt lake in Qaidam Basin

Da Qaidam salt lake is known for its both liquid and solid boron resource.Data from previous investigation of the Da Qaidam salt lake provided a comparable framework for this study that focused on investigating the section beneath the bottom of the perennial salt lake,including the timing,

Electrochemical co-deposition of magnesium based alloy from molten salts

Magnesium based alloys with aluminum and zinc were obtained through electrochemical co-deposition from LiCl-NaCl-MgCl2 melt. The possibility of electrochemical co-deposition was discussed in detail by electro-analytical methods including cyclic voltametry,square wave voltametry,and chronopotentiometry. The co-deposition happens when the concentration of aluminum and zinc ions is kept at low value and the current density is high enough. The components of alloy elements can be controlled by fixing the components of the feeding salts. A laboratory experiment of the preparation by step-current co-deposition was also performed and certain compositions of the Mg-Al,and Mg-Zn were obtained. The alloys obtained from the co-deposition show a typical as-cast microstructure. The best conditions of electrolysis such as temperature,amount of addition and mode of feeding were discussed in detail.

On Biochemical Formation of Salt Deposits

A water/salt system in an evaporative environment is both a physicochemical region and a biological one. All the parameters of the system, such as the salinity, temperature and CO2 partial pressure, are affected by halophilic bacteria. The system controls salt deposition but is modified by an accompanying ecological system; therefore it should be called a water/salt/biological system. Salt minerals result from accumulation of the remains of bacteria/algae, namely, bacteria/algae formation; whereas biological, biophysical and biochemical processes provide full evidence for organic involvement. Consequently, salt deposits should not be called purely chemical but biological/chemical ones. This new argument supplements and develops the traditional idea and helps perfect the mineralization theory of salts and even general deposits, thus giving guidance to prospecting for salt deposits.

Analyses on Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Erosion and Deposition in the Front Edge of Salt Marsh Wetland

Taking Yancheng Nature Reserve Salt Marsh as the research object,the remote sensing images from 2005 to 2020 were interpreted by using remote sensing and geographic information system technology.In this paper,the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of erosion and deposition in the front edge of salt marsh wetland were analyzed.The influence of sea level rise on the annual change of salt marsh area was analyzed.The characteristics of flow and sediment movement in salt marsh and the causes of erosion and deposition in front of salt marsh were analyzed.The results showed that:(1)During 2005-2007,the sea level was relatively low,and Spartina alterniflora in salt marsh expanded to the sea.Since 2007,the front edge of salt marsh wetland has coexisted with erosion and deposition.From 2008 to 2010,the front edge of salt marsh wetland once again showed a trend of comprehensive deposition to the sea side.From 2010 to 2012,the erosion of salt marsh wetland was serious.From 2012 to 2020,the front edge of salt marsh wetland in the range of 9 km south of Xinyang estuary was eroded.(2)The correlation analysis was carried out between the area of salt marsh wetland and sea level rise.Spartina alterniflora is easily affected by sea level change,owing to it having a low ecological niche.With the rise of sea level,the area of salt marsh has been decreasing since 2013.(3)In the front sea area of salt marsh wetland,the maximum velocity of the ebb and flood can reach the threshold velocity during the spring tide.The sediment starts to move at water depth of 10 m under wave actions.Owing to wave stirs up sediment and current transports the sediment,resuspended sediment causes the erosion of marsh-edge scarps.

Overexpression of Proline Transporter Gene Isolated from Halophyte Confers Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis

Proline is one of the most important and widespread osmolyte which functions in adaptation to adverse environmental stresses in many organisms. Also it is an important carbon and nitrogen resource in higher plants. Metabolism of proline has been elucidated in many plant species. However, transport of proline was poorly characterized although transport system plays an important role in proline distribution in different tissues. We isolated one full_length cDNA encoding proline transporter from the typical halophyte: Atriplex hortensis L. through cDNA library screening and 5′_RACE. The deduced amino acid sequence had eleven transmembrane domains, showed 60%-69% similarities to other ProTs and the gene was designated AhProT1. In the phylogenetic tree, higher plants' ProTs, e.g. AhProT1, showed more similar to ProP from microorganisms than ProT from mammalians. AhProT1 gene was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana under 35S promoter. In MS medium containing [U_ 14 C] proline, AhProT1 + plants were able to accumulate much more radiolabeled proline in the roots than control plants. In MS medium containing different concentrations of NaCl, AhProT1 + plants could endure 200 mmol/L NaCl and keep development and biomass increase with proline supply, whereas control plants died back at 150 mmol/L NaCl.

Progress and Prospects of Salt Lake Research in China

China has unique salt lake resources, and they are distributed in the east of Eurasian salt lake subzone of the Northern Hemisphere Salt Lake Zone, mainly concentrated in the regions with modern mean annual precipitation lower than 500 mm. This paper preliminarily reviews the progress made in salt lake research in China for the past 60 years. In the research of Paleoclimate and paleoenvironment from salt lake sediments, a series of salts have been proposed to be indicators of paleoclimate, and have been well accepted by scholars. The chloride-sulfate depositional regions of the west Qaidam and the east Tarim have been revealed to be the drought center of China since the Quaternary, and more than 6 spreading stages of arid climate （salt forming） have been identified. Five pan-lake periods with highstands have been proved to exist during the late Quaternary on the Tibetan Plateau. In mineral resource prospecting and theories of the forming of salt deposits： the atlas （1：2500000） of hydrochemical zoning of salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau has been compiled for the first time, revealing the zonal distribution and transition from carbonate type to chloride type from south to north and presenting corresponding mineral assemblages for different type of salt lakes; several large continental salt deposits have been discovered and the theory of continental potash deposition has been developed, including the salt deposition in deep basins surrounded by high mountains, the mineral deposition from multistage evolution through chains of moderate or shallow lakes with multilevels, the origin of potassium rich brines in gravel layers, and the forming of potassium deposits through the inheriting from ancient salt deposits, thus establishing the framework of ＂Continental Potash Deposition Theory＂; several new types of Mg-borate deposits have been discovered, including the ulexite and pinnoite bed in Da Qaidam Lake, Qinghai, the pinnoite and kurnakovite bed in Chagcam Caka, Tibet, the kurnakovite bed in Lake Nyer, and the corresponding model of borate deposition from the cooling and dissolution of boron rich brines was proposed based on principles of geology, physics and chemistry. The anti-floatation-cold crystallization method developed independently has improved the capacity of KCI production to 3 million tons per year for the Qarham, serving the famous brand of potash fertilizer products. One 1.2 million ton K-sulfate production line, the biggest in the world, has been built in Lop Nor, and K-sulfate of about 1.6 million tons was produced in 2015. Supported by the new technology, i.e. brine preparation in winter-cooling-solarization-isolation-lithium deposition from salt gradient solar pond＂ the highest lithium production base at Zabuye Lake （4421 m）, Tibet, has been established, which is the first lithium production base in China that reaches the year production of 5000 tons of lithium carbonate. The concept of Salt lake agriculture （Salt land agriculture） has been established based on the mass growth of Dunaliella and other bacillus-algae and the occurrence of various halophytes in saltmarsh and salt saline-alkali lands, finding a new way to increase arable lands and develop related green industry in salt rich environments. Finally this paper presents some new thoughts for the further research and development on salt science, and the further progress in salt science and technology will facilitate the maturing of the interdisciplinary science ＂Salinology＂.

Fabrication of TiN/cBN and TiC/diamond coated particles by titanium deposition process

Cubic boron nitride particles coated by titanium nitride (TiN/cBN) as well as diamond particles coated by titanium carbide (TiC/diamond) were prepared by Ti molten salt deposition followed by heat-treatment process. cBN or diamond particles were mixed separately with Ti powders and molten salts (KCl, NaCl and K2TiF6). The mixture was heated at 900 °C under argon atmosphere. The produced particles were heat-treated under hydrogen at 1000 °C. The morphologies and chemical compositions of the produced particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and focused ion beam (FIB). The results show that the cBN and the diamond particles are coated by nano-sized Ti layers. By heat-treatment of the Ti/cBN and TiC/diamond coated particles under hydrogen atmosphere, the deposited Ti layers were interacted by the in-situ transformation reaction with the surfaces of cBN and diamond particles and converted to titanium compounds (TiN and TiC), respectively.

Experiments on mechanical properties of salt rocks under cyclic loading

The primary purpose of underground gas storages is to provide gas for seasonal consumptions or strategic reserve.The periodical operations of gas injection and extraction lead to cyclic loading on the walls and surrounding rocks of gas storages.To investigate the mechanical behaviors of different host rocks in bedded salt deposit,laboratory experiments were conducted on the samples of rock salt,thenardite,glauberite and gypsum.The mechanical properties of rock samples under monotonic and cyclic loadings were studied.Testing results show that,under monotonic loading,the uniaxial compressive stress（UCS） of glauberite is the largest（17.3 MPa）,while that of rock salt is the smallest（14.0 MPa）.The UCSs of thenardite and gypsum are 16.3 and 14.6 MPa,respectively.The maximum strain at the peak strength of rock salt（halite） is much greater than those of the other three rocks.The elastic moduli of halite,thenardite,glauberite and gypsum are 3.0,4.2,5.1 and 6.8 GPa,respectively.Under cyclic loading,the peak strengths of the rock specimens are deteriorated except for rock salt.The peak strengths of thenardite,glauberite and gypsum decrease by 33.7%,19.1% and 35.5%,respectively;and the strains of the three rocks at the peak strengths are almost the same.However,the strain of rock salt at the peak strength increases by 1.98%,twice more than that under monotonic loading.Under monotonic loading,deformation of the tested rock salt,thenardite and glauberite shows in an elastoplastic style.However,it changes to a ductile style under cyclic loading.Brittle deformation and failure are only observed for gypsum.The results should be helpful for engineering design and operation of gas storage in bedded salt deposit.

Classification and mineralization of global lithium deposits and lithium extraction technologies for exogenetic lithium deposits

A reasonable classification of deposits holds great significance for identifying prospecting targets and deploying exploration. The world ’s keen demand for lithium resources has expedited the discovery of numerous novel lithium resources. Given the presence of varied classification criteria for lithium resources presently, this study further ascertained and classified the lithium resources according to their occurrence modes, obtaining 10 types and 5 subtypes of lithium deposits(resources) based on endogenetic and exogenetic factors. As indicated by surveys of Cenozoic exogenetic lithium deposits in China and abroad,the formation and distribution of the deposits are primarily determined by plate collision zones, their primary material sources are linked to the anatectic magmas in the deep oceanic crust, and they were formed primarily during the Miocene and Late Paleogene. The researchers ascertained that these deposits,especially those of the salt lake, geothermal, and volcanic deposit types, are formed by unique slightly acidic magmas, tend to migrate and accumulate toward low-lying areas, and display supernormal enrichment. However, the material sources of lithium deposits(resources) of the Neopaleozoic clay subtype and the deep brine type are yet to be further identified. Given the various types and complex origins of lithium deposits(resources), which were formed due to the interactions of multiple spheres, it is recommended that the mineralization of exogenetic lithium deposits(resources) be investigated by integrating tectono-geochemistry, paleoatmospheric circulation, and salinology. So far, industrialized lithium extraction is primarily achieved in lithium deposits of the salt lake, clay, and hard rock types. The lithium extraction employs different processes, with lithium extraction from salt lake-type lithium deposits proving the most energy-saving and cost-effective.

Hot Corrosion Behavior of Sol-Gel Nano Structured Zirconia Coated 9Cr1Mo Ferritic Steel in Alkali Metal Chlorides and Sulphates Deposit Systems at High Temperatures

Fused salt accelerated hot corrosion is quite common in gas turbines, fossil fuelled devices, waste inclinators, pyrochemical systems, etc. Presence of fused salt on metal surface dissolves their existing oxide layer. This results in an increase in oxidation rate of the metal. Since, zirconia coating is well recognized for corrosion protection under high temperature oxidative environment, we have developed zirconia coating on 9Cr1Mo ferritic steel and their oxidation performance was evaluated in LiCl-NaCl and Na2SO4-K2SO4 salts deposit system in air atmosphere at 650?C and 850?C, respectively. Before coating development, zirconium based sol was synthesized using zirconium (IV) propoxide as a precursor. Oxidation test results indicated that the zirconia coated specimens shows more than two times higher corrosion resistance in LiCl-NaCl and three time higher corrosion resistance in Na2SO4-K2SO4 salt deposit, respectively.

Origin of boron in the Damxung Co Salt Lake(central Tibet):Evidence from boron geochemistry and isotopes

The origin of boron in boron-rich salt lakes in the Tibetan Plateau has long been the subject of debate.The Damzung Co Salt Lake in central Tibet has high boron concentrations(B=276–313 mg/L)and is an ideal site for

Chemical Conversion Film of Mischmetal on Zinc Deposit

A conversion film was obtained on zinc deposit by immersing zinc coated specimens in a mischmetal salt solution. Several factors affecting the anticorrosive efficiency of the conversion film were studied. The suitable technological conditions were established. The composition and the thickness of the conversion film were determined by Auger electron spectroscopy(AES).

Numerical Simulation of Contamination Accumulation Characteristics of Composite Insulators in Salt Fog Environment

To investigate the fouling characteristics of the composite insulator surface under the salt fog environment,the FXBW-110/120-2 composite insulator was taken as the research object.Based on the field-induced charge mechanism,the multi-physical field coupling software COMSOL was used to numerically simulate the fouling characteristics,explored the calculation method of ESDD,and demonstrated its rationality.Based on this method,the pollution characteristics of the composite insulator under the pollution fog environment were studied,and the influence of wind speed,droplet size,and voltage type on the pollution characteristics of the composite insulator was analyzed.The results showed that:with the increase in wind speed,the amount of accumulated pollution of insulator increases in the range of droplet size,and the relationship between wind speed and accumulated pollution is approximately linear;at the same wind speed,the amount of accumulated pollution increases with the increase of droplet size under the action of DC voltage;when there is no voltage,the amount of dirt on the upper surface of the insulator is more than that on the lower surface,while it is the opposite under DC voltage.

新疆库车盆地古近纪—新近纪盐湖成钾与靶区预测

库车前陆盆地位于塔里木盆地北部,属于副特提斯域,古近纪受副特提斯海海水补给,古近纪—新近纪发育巨厚蒸发岩。研究显示,库车盆地始新世和中新世古盐湖卤水已演化至钾盐析出阶段,在地层中广泛发现了原生钾盐矿物,如钾石盐、光卤石、杂卤石等;通过岩芯岩屑地球化学及矿物学分析,基本确定了至少3个富钾层或成钾层位,其中始新统中上部两个和中新统中上部一个,钾离子含量最高达3%,另外,上新统可能存在一个成钾层位。本文在综述此前库车盆地构造、蒸发岩、盐类矿物学、地球化学与盐湖沉积等研究基础上,建立了新的库车盆地古盐湖构造-沉积演变、成钾模式;提出了4个钾盐成矿区带,即北部克拉苏成矿带、中部秋里塔克成矿带、南部沙雅构造沉降成矿带以及东部阳霞凹地成钾区,这些关键认识为库车盆地的钾盐勘查提供了重要的理论和科学依据。

全新世以来察尔汗盐湖沉积物的OSL年代学研究

察尔汗盐湖沉积物记录了柴达木盆地晚更新世以来的环境演化信息,但全新世以来沉积剖面的研究比较稀少且相关年代数据也比较缺乏。在察尔汗盐湖别勒滩区段东部,别勒滩区段西部和达布逊区段东部的沉积剖面中各发现2层细碎屑夹层,采集了相应的光释光样品,以研究察尔汗盐湖全新世时期的沉积年代。结果表明,察尔汗盐湖达布逊区段东部剖面(DBX)的2个碎屑层分别形成于6.2 ka(8.90 m)和2.8 ka(1.96 m),别勒滩区段东部剖面的2个碎屑层分别形成于2.9 ka(3.20 m)和0.9 ka(1.40 m),别勒滩区段西部剖面的2个碎屑层分别形成于2.4 ka(3.10 m)和0.7 ka(1.50 m)。由于晚第四纪盐湖沉积松散且易溶造成样品的成分及来源复杂等影响,造成了剖面OSL数据远小于14C、U-Th测年数据(8~9 ka)。3个剖面沉积速率计算表明,察尔汗盐湖达布逊区段沉积速率大于别勒滩区段,而别勒滩区段东部的沉积速率高于西部,察尔汗盐湖与东台吉乃尔盐湖的沉积速率整体上保持一致。