O, H, and Sr isotope evidences of mixing processes in two geothermal fluid reservoirs at Yangbajing, Tibet, China

Guo, Qinghai; Wang, Yanxin; Liu, Wei

doi:10.1007/s12665-009-0145-y

Cited by 58 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Based on this, we consider that with the continuous advancement of extraction technologies, geothermal-type lithium resources have the potential to become a new genetic type of lithium ore deposit. This article absorbs and summarizes previous relevant research materials (Zheng and Liu, 1982, 1987Zheng et al, 1983Zheng et al, , 1989Zheng et al, , 1990Zheng et al, , 1995Tong et al, 1981Tong et al, , 2000Zheng S H et al, 1982;Duo, 2003;Luo et al, 2017;Guo and Wang, 2012;Pang et al, 2013;Tan et al, 2014Tan et al, , 2018Zheng W et al, 2015;Wang R C, et al, 2017;Mao, 2018;Guo et al, 2007Guo et al, , 2009Guo et al, , 2010Guo et al, , 2012Guo et al, , 2017Guo et al, , 2019aGuo et al, , 2019bXia and Zhang, 2019;Zhang et al, 2019). Together with field investigations and research on the key areas in southern Xizang (e.g., the Gudui geothermal field), we aim to report the characteristics, distribution and scale, origin and utilization prospects of geothermal-type lithium resources in southern Xizang.…”

mentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Yangbajain is chosen because, among all the hydrothermal areas in Tibet, it has been investigated systematically in the past three decades (Tong et al, 1981;Zhao et al, 1998b;Duo, 2003;Guo et al, 2007Guo et al, , 2009, and the existence of a magmatic heat source and high-temperature reservoir (over 200°C) has also been confirmed (Guo et al, 2014). Guo et al (2010) showed that the deep geothermal fluid is the mixing product of both magmatic and infiltrating snow -melt water, whereas the shallow geothermal fluid is formed by the mixing of deep geothermal fluid with cold groundwater (mixing process and ratios are shown in the Fig. 4).…”

Section: Origin Of High-temperature Li-rich Geothermal Resources In Southern Xizangmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4. Conceptual model of the Yangbajing geothermal water system (modified according to Guo et al, 2010). southern Xizang.…”

Section: Origin Of High-temperature Li-rich Geothermal Resources In Southern Xizangmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geothermal‐type Lithium Resources in Southern Xizang, China

Wang

Zheng

Zhang

et al. 2021

Acta Geologica Sinica (Eng)

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High‐temperature geothermal water has abundant lithium (Li) resources, and research on the development and utilization of geothermal‐type lithium resources around the world are increasing. The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau contains huge geothermal resources; especially, Li‐rich geothermal resources in southern Xizang, southwestern China, are widely developed. The Li‐rich geothermal spots in Xizang are mainly distributed on both sides and to the south of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone. Such resources are often found in the intensely active high‐temperature Li‐rich geothermal fields and, compared with other Li‐rich geothermal fields around the world, the Li‐rich geothermal fluid in the Xizang Plateau, southern Xizang is characterized by good quality: the highest reported Li concentration is up to 239 mg/L; the Mg/Li ratio is extremely low and ranges from 0.03 to 1.48 for most of the Li‐rich geothermal fluid; the Li/TDS value is relatively high and ranges from 0.25–1.14% compared to Zhabuye Li‐rich salt lake (0.19%) and Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) (0.08–0.31%). Continuous discharge has been stable for at least several decades, and some of them reach industrial grades of salt lake brine (32.74 mg/L). In addition, elements such as boron (B), caesium (Cs), and rubidium (Rb) are rich and can be comprehensively utilized. Based on still‐incomplete statistics, there are at least 16 large‐scale Li‐rich hot springs with lithium concentration of 20 mg/L or more. The total discharge of lithium metal is about 4300 tons per year, equivalent to 25,686 tons of lithium carbonate. Drilling data has shown that the depth is promising and there is a lack of volcanism (non‐volcanic geothermal system). With a background of the partial‐melting lower crust caused by the collision of the Indo‐Asia continent and based on a comprehensive analysis of the tectonic background of southern Xizang and previous geological, geophysical, and geothermal research, deep molten magma seems to provide a stable heat source for the high‐temperature Li‐rich geothermal field. The Li‐rich parent geothermal fluid rushes to the surface to form hot springs along the extensively developed tectonic fault zones in southern Xizang; some of the Li‐rich fluid flows in to form Li‐rich salt lakes. However, most of the Li‐rich geothermal fluid is remitted to seasonal rivers and has not been effectively exploited, resulting in great waste. With the continuous advance of lithium extraction technologies in Li‐rich geothermal fluid, the lithium resource in geothermal water is promising as a new geothermal type of mineral deposit, which can be effectively exploited. This is the first study to undertake a longitudinal analysis on the characteristics, distribution and scale, origin and utilization prospects of Li‐rich geothermal resources in southern Xizang, research that will contribute to a deeper understanding of Li‐rich geothermal resources in the area and attract attention to these resources in China.

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mentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Origin Of High-temperature Li-rich Geothermal Resources In Southern Xizangmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geothermal‐type Lithium Resources in Southern Xizang, China

Wang

Zheng

Zhang

et al. 2021

Acta Geologica Sinica (Eng)

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“…This may be caused by the interaction of the circulating hot springs with the evaporitic (CaSO 4 ) units, which is confirmed by the wide distribution of Paleogene evaporite strata in the Qamdo Basin. While Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in geothermal waters from Yangbajing and western Yunnan are less relevant to the evaporite or the carbonatite, they may have something to do with the large granitic batholiths and metamorphic reservoir host rocks [34,71]. The Ca + Mg is enriched relative to HCO 3 and depleted relative to Clin saline springs from the study area and in the Lanping-Simao Basin, indicating that the dissolution of evaporites (halite, sylvine, and gypsum/anhydrite) is the principal sources of solutes for the saline springs.…”

Section: Solute Sources and Genesis Of Spring Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin and Circulation of Springs in the Nangqen and Qamdo Basins, Southwestern China, Based on Hydrochemistry and Environmental Isotopes

Qin

Zhang

et al. 2022

Geofluids

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The Nangqen and Qamdo (NQ-QD) basins in China have very rich geothermal and brine resources. The origin and spatiotemporal evolutionary processes of its hot and saline springs however remain unclear. Geochemical and isotopic (18O, 2H, 3H) studies have therefore been conducted on the water from the geothermal and saline springs in the NQ-QD Basin. All saline springs in the study area are of the Na-Cl geochemical type while geothermal waters show different geochemical types. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the springs in the NQ-QD Basin are primarily controlled by meteoric water or ice-snow melt water and are influenced by rock-water interactions. It is found that the saline springs in the study area are derived from the dissolution of halite and sulfate that occur in the tertiary Gongjue red bed, while the hot springs in the QD Basin are greatly influenced by the dissolution of carbonatites and sulfates from the Bolila (T3b) and Huakaizuo (J2h) formations. Results from silica geothermometry and a silicon-enthalpy hybrid model indicate that the apparent reservoir temperatures and reservoir temperatures for the hot springs in the QD Basin range from 57–130°C to75–214°C, respectively. Deuterium analysis indicates that most of the hot springs are recently recharged rain water. Furthermore, the saline springs have a weaker groundwater regeneration capacity than the hot springs. Tritium data shows that the ranges of calculated residence times for springs in this study are 25 to 55 years, and that there is a likelihood that hot springs in the QD Basin originated from two different hydrothermal systems. The geochemical characteristics of the NQ-QD springs are similar to those of the Lanping-Simao Basin, indicating similar solute sources. Thus, the use of water isotope analyses coupled with hydrogeochemistry proves to be an effective tool to determine the origin and spatiotemporal evolution of the NQ-QD spring waters.

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“…Mixing is a common process during the upward flow of geothermal water. Geothermal waters might be a mixture of magmatic water, stream, deep geothermal fluids, shallow geothermal fluids, and cold water from the surface [13,[15][16][17][18][19]. Mixing is also a process that controls outlet temperatures and causes dilution of geothermal water [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Constraints on the Pattern of a Deep Circulation Groundwater Flow System

et al. 2019

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Characterization of a deep circulation groundwater flow system is a big challenge, because the flow field and aqueous chemistry of deep circulation groundwater is significantly influenced by the geothermal reservoir. In this field study, we employed a geochemical approach to recognize a deep circulation groundwater pattern by combined the geochemistry analysis with isotopic measurements. The water samples were collected from the outlet of the Reshui River Basin which has a hot spring with a temperature of 88 °C. Experimental results reveal a fault-controlled deep circulation geothermal groundwater flow system. The weathering crust of the granitic mountains on the south of the basin collects precipitation infiltration, which is the recharge area of the deep circulation groundwater system. Water infiltrates from the land surface to a depth of about 3.8–4.3 km where the groundwater is heated up to around 170 °C in the geothermal reservoir. A regional active normal fault acts as a pathway of groundwater. The geothermal groundwater is then obstructed by a thrust fault and recharged by the hot spring, which is forced by the water pressure of convection derived from the 800 m altitude difference between the recharge and the discharge areas. Some part of groundwater flow within a geothermal reservoir is mixed with cold shallow groundwater. The isotopic fraction is positively correlated with the seasonal water table depth of shallow groundwater. Basic mineral dissolutions at thermoneutral conditions, hydrolysis with the aid of carbonic acid produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide with the water, and hydrothermal alteration in the geothermal reservoir add some extra chemical components into the geothermal water. The alkaline deep circulation groundwater is chemically featured by high contents of sodium, sulfate, chloride, fluorine, silicate, and some trace elements, such as lithium, strontium, cesium, and rubidium. Our results suggest that groundwater deep circulation convection exists in mountain regions where water-conducting fault and water-blocking fault combined properly. A significant elevation difference of topography is the other key.

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O, H, and Sr isotope evidences of mixing processes in two geothermal fluid reservoirs at Yangbajing, Tibet, China

Cited by 58 publications

References 29 publications

Geothermal‐type Lithium Resources in Southern Xizang, China

Geothermal‐type Lithium Resources in Southern Xizang, China

Origin and Circulation of Springs in the Nangqen and Qamdo Basins, Southwestern China, Based on Hydrochemistry and Environmental Isotopes

Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Constraints on the Pattern of a Deep Circulation Groundwater Flow System

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