Hydrochemistry, Distribution and Formation of Lithium-Rich Brines in Salt Lakes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Salt lakes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) are remarkable for Li-rich brines. Along with the surging demand of Li, the Li-rich brines in salt lakes on the QTP are of great importance for China’s Li supply. Previous studies reported the geological, geographical, geochemical signatures of numerous salt lakes on the QTP; however, conclusive work and the internal relationships among the hydrochemistry, distribution and geological setting of Li-rich salt lakes are still inadequate. In this study, major and trace (Li, B) ionic compositions of 74 Li-rich salt lakes on the QTP were reviewed. The Li-rich brines cover various hydrochemical types (carbonate, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and chloride types) and present horizontal zoning from the southwest to the northeast along with the stronger aridity. The Li concentrations and Mg/Li ratios in these salt lakes range from 23 to 2895 mg/L, 0.0 to 1549.4, respectively. The distribution of these salt lakes is close to the major suture zones. Geothermal water is proposed to be the dominant source of Li in the investigated salt lakes, while weathering of Li-bearing sediments and igneous rocks, and brine migration provide a minor part of Li. Four factors (sufficient Li sources, arid climate, endorheic basin and time) should be considered for the formation of Li-rich brines in salt lakes on the QTP.

Brine grades in Andean salars: When basin size matters A review of the Lithium Triangle

“…This kind of brines, characterized by Mg 2+ >> Li + , are also observed in brines from saline lakes in the Tibet Plateau (Fig. 6 e; Li et al, 2019b).…”

“…J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 2. Fields delimited by orange dashed line represent the hydrochemistry of brines from the Tibet Plateau (Li et al, 2019b).…”

“…, and a depletion in CO 3 2-/HCO 3 - (Langbein, 1961;Hardie and Eugster, 1970;Eugster, 1980). Andean brines can be compared to those from Libearing saline lakes in the Tibetan Plateau (Li et al, 2019b, and Atacama, west of the modern Andean volcanic arc (Fig. 8).…”

“…Plotted samples and concentrations correspond to those detailed in Table2. Fields delimited by orange dashed line represent the hydrochemistry of brines from the Tibet Plateau(Li et al, 2019b).…”

Boron and Lithium in Calcium Sulfate Veins: Tracking Precipitation of Diagenetic Materials in Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater

“…Although boron and lithium are predominantly associated with geothermal inputs on Earth (Li et al, 2019; Seyfried et al, 1984), terrestrial brines can provide insight into B and Li systematics on Mars as the separation of the two elements in salt‐forming environments appears to be common. In case of Gale crater, it is possible that the major water body and the groundwater was influenced by a hydrothermal system (or multiple systems) as large impacts produce long‐lasting sources of heat below the surface, so Gale lake may have experienced early stages of hydrothermal activities (Schwenzer et al, 2012).…”