Hydrogeochemical fluxes and processes contributing to the formation of lithium-enriched brines in a hyper-arid continental basin

Munk, LeeAnn; Boutt, D. F.; Hynek, Scott A.; Moran, B.

doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.05.013

Cited by 68 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…In their analysis on the MNT aquifer, Rissman et al [2015] provide one of the few examples in the region where hydrologic and Manuscript submitted for Review in Hydrological Processes -November 13, 2018 6 geochemical information have been used to investigate and imply a connection from a high elevation recharge area southeast of SdA to discharge at the salar margin. The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values for discharging water reported by Munk et al [2018] support the possible link between high elevation salt lakes and brines in SdA proposed by Rissman et al [2015], and consistent with the observation of Grosjean et al [1995] that many of the high elevation lakes never reach Na-Cl saturation and that the water enriched in Na and Cl then drains to lower elevation basins.…”

Section: Regional Geologic and Hydrologic Frameworksupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Approximately 3.19 m 3 /s of shallow subsurface groundwater enters SdA (Corenthal et al 2016;Munk et al, 2018). The Direccion General de Aguas [2013] estimates total streamflow to SdA is 1.58 m 3 /s based on gage measurements, which alone matches our range of estimates of GW RCH within the topographic watershed (1.1-2.1 m 3 /s).…”

Section: Surface Water and Shallow Groundwater Inflowssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Halite accumulation, a proxy for long term average water inflow, confirms the observed hydrologic imbalance over geologically meaningful timescales [up to 10 Myr;Corenthal et al, 2016]. However, recently Munk et al (2018) presented solute fluxes for the surface and shallow sub-surface that account for halite and brine hosted solutes in the uppermost (30 m) on a Myr timescale. Regional scale groundwater flow, interbasin transfer, and pulsed recharge events (10-100 year timescale) are documented [Houston, 2006b;Rissmann et al, 2015] in the region, and.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Closed basins within or adjacent to plateau may preserve geologic records of water fluxes over 10 2 -10 6 year time frames in the accumulation of evaporite minerals [e.g. Godfrey et al, 2003;Jordan et al, 2007;Munk et al, 2018]. The Salar de Atacama (SdA) hosts >1800 km 3 of halite in a closed basin adjacent to the Altiplano-Puna plateau, and provides an extreme case to evaluate the potential role of regional-scale groundwater flow and transient draining of groundwater storage in sustaining water discharge rates over both modern and geologic timescales ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Imbalance in the modern hydrologic budget of topographic catchments along the western slope of the Andes (21–25 S)

Boutt¹,

Corenthal²,

Munk³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Rates of water discharge often exceed groundwater recharge in arid catchments. This apparent mass imbalance within a catchment may be reconciled through either regional-scale groundwater flow between topographic drainages and/or the draining of stored groundwater recharged during pluvial periods. We investigate discrepancies in the modern hydrologic budget of catchments along the west flank of the Andes in northern Chile (21–25° S), focused on the endorheic Salar de Atacama basin, and adjacent basins. Our new, uncertainty bounded, estimates of modern recharge rates do not come close to balancing observed modern groundwater discharge within topographic catchments. Two geologically realistic conceptualizations of hydrogeologic catchments discharging to Salar de Atacama were explored with a 2D groundwater model. Results from models support the interpretation that both regional flow and transient drainage of groundwater from storage are required to balance water budgets along the plateau margin. The models further examine whether this system is still responding to climatic forcing from pluvial periods and highlight general characteristics for similar plateau margin systems including: (1) water level changes at the plateau margin are highly sensitive to changes in recharge on the plateau, (2) extent and magnitude of the changes in water table are controlled by the distribution of hydraulic conductivity at the margin, (3) contributing area to the lower elevation catchment is itself dynamic, and not coincident with the topographic boundary, and (4) difficulty in reconciling the modern position of “the water table” on the Andean plateau with the regional groundwater flow conceptualization and modern discharge to low lying catchments.

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Section: Regional Geologic and Hydrologic Frameworksupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Surface Water and Shallow Groundwater Inflowssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Imbalance in the modern hydrologic budget of topographic catchments along the western slope of the Andes (21–25 S)

Boutt¹,

Corenthal²,

Munk³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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show abstract

“…In addition, large amounts of research studies on the famous "Lithium Triangle" in South America, which contains the largest Li deposits on Earth, have been reported. Hundreds of geochemical data (major and trace elemental concentrations, and isotopic compositions) of brines in this region were published [42][43][44][45][46][47]. These studies provide insights into the hydrochemistry, distribution and formation of brines and salts in the salars on the Central Andes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Fan

Wang

et al. 2019

Minerals

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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.

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Relic Groundwater and Mega Drought Confound Interpretations of Water Sustainability and Lithium Extraction in Arid Lands

Moran

Boutt

McKnight

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Hydrogeochemical fluxes and processes contributing to the formation of lithium-enriched brines in a hyper-arid continental basin

Cited by 68 publications

References 50 publications

Imbalance in the modern hydrologic budget of topographic catchments along the western slope of the Andes (21–25 S)

Imbalance in the modern hydrologic budget of topographic catchments along the western slope of the Andes (21–25 S)

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

Relic Groundwater and Mega Drought Confound Interpretations of Water Sustainability and Lithium Extraction in Arid Lands

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