The source of lithium in Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China:evidence from hydrochemical characteristics and boron isotope

The availability of lithium resources is of great significance for the development of modern technologies,as well as for civil and military industries.The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region known for its abundance of lithium-rich salt lakes.However,the specific origin of lithium in these lakes is still unknown,which hinders the advancement of the lithium resource business in this region.To research this issue,this study involved the collection of 20 samples from Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,encompassing samples of surface brine,cold springs,fresh lakes,and recharge rivers.The composition of anions and cations in these samples was determined.Furthermore,the analysis extensivelyutilizedthePiperthree-linediagram,Gibbs model,and ion proportion coefficient.The findings of this study indicate that as the moves from the recharge water system to salt lake,there is a transition in water type from strong carbonate to moderate carbonate and weak carbonate,as well as Na sulfate.This research based on a similar source of both lithium and boron,utilized ion correlation analysis and boron isotope study in the Lakkor Co area,and analyzed the source and transporting process of lithium.The main origin of lithium in Lakkor Co is the dissolution of lithiumrich rocks,recharge water systems,and deep hydrothermal fluids.These findings are highly significant in enhancing the foundational data of lithium-rich brine resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and are beneficial for assessing the future development of such deposits.

Recharge processes limit the resource elements of Qarhan Salt Lake in western China and analogues in the evaporite basins

The Qarhan Salt Lake(QSL)in western China is K-Sr-Li-B-Br-Rb multi-resource coexisting Quaternary brine deposits.Significant research efforts have been directed to the origin of K-Li resources and evolutionary history of the QSL.However,the study on the different sources,recharge processes,and differential distribution patterns for these resource elements in brine deposits is still inadequate.Therefore,we measured Li-B concentrations and H-O-Sr-B isotopic compositions of different waters(river,spring,and brine)from the QSL,combined with the reported K-Sr contents and multiple isotopes of waters,to discuss the recharge,source of K-Sr-Li-B and their spatial distributions,by analogy with other evaporite basins in the world.The results show that:(1)the K-Li-B-Sr elemental concentrations of brines and their spatial distribution in the QSL are diverse;(2)high K and Sr values are distributed in Dabuxun and Qarhan sections,respectively,which are controlled by Ca-Cl springs in the northern QSL;on the contrary,Li and B values are enriched in the Bieletan section and are charged by thermal springs in the Kunlun Mountains;(3)the formation and evolution of Ca-Cl and thermal springs constrain fundamentally on the recharge processes of K-Sr and Li-B elements in the terminal salt lakes of the Qaidam Basin(QB);(4)some analogues of recharge processes limit the resource elements of the QSL and other salt lakes(Da Qaidam,Lop Nur,Zhabuye,Atacama,and Guayatayoc)in the world provides a reference for the resource exploration in deep formation waters in the evaporite basins.

Extraction of Lithium from Salt Lake Brine using N523-TBP Mixture System

In this work, problems encountered by tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) in the industrialization of lithium extraction from salt lake brine were discussed in detail. The behavior of N, N-bi-(2-ethylhexyl) acetamide (N523) during lithium extraction was investigated, and its disadvantages were analyzed in the view of practical application. An N523-TBP mixture extraction system was proposed to alleviate or avoid the defects that N523 and TBP met when they were used separately. The optimal composition of this mixture extraction system was determined to be 20%N523-30%TBP-50% kerosene. The effects of brine acidity, Fe/Li molarity ratio, phase ratio and chloride ion concentration on lithium extraction efficiency were discussed. The operation conditions in single-stage extraction were optimized as brine acidity=0.05 mol/L, Fe/Li molarity ratio=1.3, and phase ratio=2. The high concentration of chloride ions in brine was beneficial for the extraction of lithium. The structure of the extracted complex was proposed as (LiFeCl 4 · n N523 · m TBP)·(2- n )N523 ·(2- m )TBP (m+n=2) by chemical analysis and slope-fitting methods. The extraction thermodynamic functions were calculated preliminarily, and the results suggested that the extraction process was an exothermic (ΔH <0) and spontaneous (ΔG <0) reaction, and the degree of disorder increased (ΔS >0) during the extraction process. This work will give some guidance to the lithium industry of Qinghai in both the fundamental theory and practical application.

Simulated Dynamic Evaporation of Yiliping Salt Lake Brine

1 Introduction There are numerous salt lakes in western China(Zheng Mianping,et al.,2011).Yiliping playa on the western Qaidam Basin is a magnesium sulfate subtype dry salt lake with high concentrations of potassium,boron and lithium.

Boron isotope geochemistry of Bangor Co Salt Lake(central Tibet):implications for boron origin and uneven mixing of lake water

Boron is an essential,widely used,micronutrient element and is abundant in salt lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The origin and distribution of boron brine deposits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is an important foundation for B resource formation,evolution,and enrichment,which have long been the subject of debate.The boron isotope system is a sensitive geochemical tracer,making it useful for eff ectively and precisely tracking a wide range of geological processes and sources.This study investigates the major cations,[B],andδB values of samples(lake brine,river waters,and cold spring water)from the Bangor Co Lake which is a typical salt lake rich in boron in Tibet,China.There are magnitude-scale diff erences in[B]among diff erent sample types:river samples<cold spring water<<brine lakes.[B]values vary from 0.73 to~1113 mg/L.Similar to[B],theδB values of the samples exhibit magnitude-scale variations as[B],ranging from-7.35‰to+7.66‰.There are also magnitude-scale diff erences inδB among diff erent sample types.TheδB values of cold spring water are relatively low,and the values range from-1.26‰to-7.75‰.However,the river water samples and saline lakes have higher values,from 0.38‰to 4.62‰,and theδB values of river water samples are basically in the distribution range of those of Bangor Co Lake.This indicates that the sources of boron in Bangor Co Lake are mainly the recharge water with higherδB values and spring water with lowerδB values,and the boron sources and the uneven mixing of lake water are two reasons that account for the large change in theδB value of Bangor Co Lake.

Origin of Boron in the Gas Hure Salt Lake of Northwestern Qaidam Basin, China: Evidence from Hydrochemistry and Boron Isotopes

The Gas Hure Salt Lake(GHSL) in the northwestern Qaidam Basin, western China, is rich in boron(B) resources, but its B-resource origin is hardly known. Hydrochemical compositions and B isotope characteristics of different waters were collected around the GHSL, including the river water, stream water, spring water, salt-lake brine, intercrystalline brine, well water, drilling brine, and solar pond brine. The hydrochemical signatures suggest that silicates, carbonates and evaporates are the main B-bearing rocks during the water dynamic. The reservoir estimation of B resources shows that the Kulamulekesay River(KLMR) and the Atekan River(ATKR) contribute annually 18.3 tons and 22.84 tons of B, respectively, with a total amount of 11.72 × 10^(4) tons of B during the past 5.7 ka. In comparison with the known B reservoir(32.96 × 10^(4) tons) in the GHSL, a significant amount of B in the GHSL was probably recharged from deep fluids and sediments around the GHSL. The B concentration and B-enrichment degree are shaped by the evaporation process, which are highly elevated at the carnallite and bischofite stages.

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,

SALT LAKES ON THE INNER MONGOLIAN PLATEAU OF CHINA

Salt lakes,the main source of trona resources in China, are widely distributed on the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Their characteristics are large in number, various in type, and short in salt-forming stage, especially their considerable number is well-known at home and abroad. The paper discusses the physical constituents, hydrochemical features, classification, formation, evolution, and salt-forming regularities of salt lakes through analyzing their distribution, lacustrine deposits and salt-forming conditions.

Aeolian component records in lacustrine sediments and its atmospheric circulation significance for evolution of Qarhan salt lake,NE Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

1 Introduction The Qarhan Playa of Qaidam Basin is located at the northeastern QinghaiTibetan Plateau(QTP),in which thick lacustrine and evaporate sediments deposited since the late Pleistocene(Chen et al.,1985,1986).As surrounded by capacious Gobi and yardang fields and suffered strong westerly-northwesterly wind,abundant aeolian materials were trapped in these sediment sequences in the

Utilization and Exploitation of Lithium Resources in Salt Lakes and Suggestions for Development of Li Industries of China

1 Introduction Lithium and its compounds as a joint of rising industries new energy sources,new materials,and information technique have become more and more important recent years.Especially lithium ion batteries with bigger or smaller

Extraction of Cesium and Rubidium with 4-tert-butyl-2-(α-methylbenzyl) phenol from Salt Lake Brine

This work shows the extraction of cesium (Cs^+) and rubidium (Rb^+) from salt lake brine containing potassium (K^+) and magnesium (Mg^2+). The results show that 4-tert-butyl-2-(α-methylbenzyl) phenol ( t -BAMBP) diluted in sulfonated kerosene (SK) has an excellent extraction effect. Infrared spectroscopic studies indicate that polymerize to form the dimer in the t -BAMBP when Cs^+ or Rb^+ were extracted. The effects of K^+, Mg^2+, t -BAMBP concentration, the volume ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase (O/A) and the alkalinity (pH) of aqueous phase were investigated. The K^+ and Mg^2+ should be eliminated through precipitating before the extraction and separation of Cs^+ and Rb^+.The optimum extraction conditions of the experimental brine were as follows: 0.8 mol/L t -BAMBP diluted in SK, pH≥13, a phase ratio of 1:1, and an extraction contact time of 2 min at room temperature. The optimal extraction yields of Cs^+ and Rb^+ were as high as 100% and 85.8%, in addition, 8.76% of K^+ was co-extracted. Further work would increase the extraction yield and selectivity of Rb^+ and realize the efficient separation of Cs^+ and Rb^+ from brine.

Boron Isotopic Composition of Halite from 46-m-long Sediment Core in the Qarhan Salt Lake,Western China

Previous studies have investigated the boron isotopic composition of salt lake brines in the Qaidam Basin,western China.However,the research on boron isotopic composition of halite is very limited due to halite’s low

Molecular Dynamic Regulation of Na and Mg Ions on Lithium Carbonate Crystallisation in Salt Lakes

Lithium carbonate (Li_(2)CO_(3)) was synthesised by adding sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg) ions into a lithium chloride solution at different concentrations,followed by the addition of an appropriate sodium carbonate solution.Then,the morphology,purity and particle size of Li_(2)CO_(3) crystals were investigated.The Na and Mg ions had negligible and remarkable effects,respectively,on the product purity;however they both greatly influenced its morphology.Their effects on the nucleation and growth rates,the radial distribution function and the diffusion behaviour of the synthesised Li_(2)CO_(3) were investigated via molecular dynamics methods;the Na ions slowed down the crystal nucleation and growth rates,while the Mg ions accelerated them.Moreover,the Mg ions rendered the system short-range ordered and long-range disordered and also increased the diffusion coefficient.The results of this study showed that Mg ions are one of the most important factors influencing the purity and yield of Li_(2)CO_(3).

Influences of soil moisture and salt content on loess shear strength in the Xining Basin, northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Moisture and salt content of soil are the two predominant factors influencing its shear strength. This study aims to investigate the effects of these two factors on shear strength behavior of loess in the Xining Basin of Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where such geological hazards as soil erosion, landslides collapse and debris flows are widespread due to the highly erodible loess. Salinized loess soil collected from the test site was desalinized through salt-leaching in the laboratory. The desalinized and oven-dried loess samples were also artificially moisturized and salinized in order to examine how soil salinity affects its shear strength at different moisture levels. Soil samples prepared in different ways(moisturizing, salt-leaching, and salinized) were measured to determine soil cohesion and internal friction angle. The results show that salt-leaching up to 18 rounds almost completely removed the salt content and considerably changed the physical components of loess, but the soil type remained unchanged. As salt content increases from 0.00% to 12.00%, both the cohesion and internal friction angle exhibit an initial decrease and then increase with salt content. As moisture content is 12.00%, the salt content threshold value for both cohesion and internal friction angle is identified as 3.00%. As the moisture content rises to 16.0% and 20.00%, the salt content threshold value for cohesion is still 6.00%, but 3.00% for internal friction angle. At these thresholds soil shear strength is the lowest, below which it is inversely related to soil salinity. Beyond the thresholds, however, the relationship is positive. Dissimilar to salinity, soil moisture content exerts an adverse effect on shear strength of loess. The findings of this study can provide a valuable guidance on stabilizing the engineering properties of salinized loess to prevent slope failures during heavy rainfall events.

Environmental Evolution of the Water Body of Qinghai Lake since the Postglacial Age

Based on the data developed from various s natural waters in the Qinghai Lake area and ostracode shells present in drill core QH-16A of recent lake-floor sediments ,this paper discusses the distribution of stable isotopes in the modern water body of Qinghai Lake,and the initial isotopic composition of the lake water has been deduced ,Studies of δ^18O,δ^13C,Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca in ostracode shells provide the basis for the establishment of the model of climatic fluctuation in the Qinghai Lake area since the postaglacial age,as well as for the elucidation of the environmental evolution of the water body of Qinghai Lake since the postglacial age.

Evaluation of boron isotopes in halite as an indicator of the salinity of Qarhan paleolake water in the eastern Qaidam Basin, western China

In this study, nineteen brine samples from the Qarhan Salt Lake(QSL) in western China were collected and analyzed for boron(B) and chlorine(Cl) concentrations, total dissolved solids(TDS), pH values and stable B isotopic compositions. The B concentrations and δ^(11) B values of brines in the QSL range from 51.6 mg/L to138.4 mg/L, and from +9.32& to +13.08&, respectively. By comparison of B concentrations and TDS of brines in QSL with evaporation paths of brackish water, we found that B enrichment of brines primarily results from strong evaporation and concentration of Qarhan lake water. Combining with comparisons of B concentrations, TDS, p H values and δ^(11) B values of brines, previously elemental ratios(K/Cl, Mg/Cl, Ca/Cl, B/Cl) and δ^(11) B values of halite from a sediment core(ISL1 A), we observe good correlations between B concentrations and TDS, TDS and pH values, pH and δ^(11) B values of brines, which demonstrate that higher B concentrations and more positive δ^(11) B values of halite indicate higher salinity of the Qarhan paleolake water as well as drier paleoclimatic conditions. Based on this interpretation of the δ^(11) B values of halite in core ISL1 A, higher salinity of the Qarhan paleolake occurred during two intervals, around 46-34 ka and26-9 ka, which are almost coincident with the upper and lower halite-dominated salt layers in core ISL1 A,drier climate phases documented from the δ^(18) O record of carbonate in core ISL1 A and the paleomoisture record in monsoonal central Asia, and a higher solar insolation at 30°N. These results demonstrate that the δ^(11) B values of halite in the arid Qaidam Basin could be regarded as a new proxy for reconstructing the salinity record of paleolake water as well as paleoclimate conditions.

The Salt Attack Performance of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Exposure to Three Kinds of Brines

Salt attack performance of magnesium oxychloride cement(MOC) in brine was investigated from the viewpoints of strength development and strength coefficient. Microstructure was studied using quantitative X-ray diffraction(QXRD), thermogravimetry(TG) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The results show that MOC mortars have outstanding salt attack performance after aging brine and raw brine immersion. The salt attack coefficients of MOC mortars are higher than 0.8, which is qualified for application in saline soil and salt lake area. The reason is that salt brine solution enters into the voids of MOC and plays a role of toughening and strengthening in the MOC.

Analysis of the distribution characteristics of ^(226)Ra and ^(228)Ra and their sources in the western part of Qinghai Lake

The ^226Ra and ^228Ra activities of Qinghai Lake surface water, groundwater, river water, suspended particles, and bottom sediments were measured in a gamma-ray spectrometer. The sources of ^226Ra and ^228Ra were discussed according to their distribution characteristics. ^226Ra and ^228Ra activities （dpm/（100 L）） ranged from 14.13±0.22 to 19.22±0.42 and 17.724-0.66 to 30.96：kl.47 in the surface water of the North Bay, respectively, and from 7.88±0.24 to 33.80±0.47 and 15.73±0.74 to 57.31±1.44, respectively, in the South Bay. The surface water near the estuary had a lower salinity and had a higher concentration of radium isotopes than the samples collected further away. The farther offshore the sample, the higher the salinity was, and the lower the radium isotope activity. The distribution of radium activities in the western part of Qinghai Lake is controlled by several factors, including Buha River runoff, desorption from suspended particles derived from the river, groundwater discharge, and a small amount of diffusion from the sediment.

Geochemistry of Brines from Salt Ore Deposits in Western Tarim Basin

In the geological evolution of the Tarim Basin, many transgressions and relictions happened. So there have been plentiful sources of salt. Moreover, because of uttermost drought, a lot of salt has been deposited. It is possible to find potash salt in this area. In our fieldwork, we have found salt and brine in western Tarim Basin. Based on a geological survey and the characteristics of sedimentary facies and paleogeography, this paper deals with the geochemical parameters and discusses the possibility of formation of potash salt in terms of the chemical analyses of samples collected from western Tarim Basin. Results of brine analysis lead to some conclusions: most of these salt brines have eluviated from very thick halite beds, mainly chloride-type salt and this kind of halite does not reach the stage of potash deposition in all aspects; WKSL (Wukeshalu) occupies a noticeable place, and we should attach importance to this district because there have been some indicators of the occurrence of potash deposits as viewed from the contents of Br and K. Finally, low Br contents are recognized in the Tarim Basin as a result of salt aggradation, and this point of view has been proved by the results of this experiment and the data available. It cannot depend upon the index of Br to judge the evolution stage of halite. We must look for other facies of potash except marine facies.

A Raman Investigation on the Boron form Occurring in Salt Lake Brine during Evaporation

Boron resources are abundant in the Da Qaidam Salt Lake of the Qaidamu basin in China, which has generated significant attention due to the presence of polyborate species in brine from this lake. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the existing form of boron in brine during evaporation. MgO·2B2O3 -H2O, MgO·2B2O3 -MgCl2 -H2O, and MgO·2B2O3 -MgSO4 - H2O solutions were also studied to determine the influence of boron concentration, pH, and electrolytes on the borate speciation from brine. The mononborates B(OH)3 and B(OH)4^- were found to be the only forms present in natural salt lake brine. Brine evaporation promoted the formation of the polyborate anions B3O3(OH)4^-,B5O6(OH)4^-, and B6O7(OH)6^2- and also promoted the disappearance of the B(OH)4^- ion from brine at boron concentrations of more than 11 g/L B2O3. The pentaborate ion B5O6(OH)4^- was sensitive to the solution pH and appeared only at pH values less than 8.0. Meanwhile, the hexaborate ion B6O7(OH)6^2- was observed to be more dependent on the electrolyte magnesium chloride due to its special properties, such as promoting boron accumulation, lowering solution pH, and also its strong affinity for water molecules, which were all beneficial for the polymerization of borate ions in brine. Interaction mechanisms between polyborate anions during evaporation are also proposed herein.ake;evaporation;polyborate species;interaction mechanism.