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Elemental Variations and Mechanisms of Brines in the Context of Large-Scale Exploitation: A Case Study of Xitaijnar Salt Lake, Qaidam Basin

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Abstract

There is limited research on the variations in brine element changes and the factors that influence them during large-scale exploitation. The Xitaijnar Salt Lake in the Qaidam Basin is a large brine lithium deposit. In this study, we investigated the variations in chemical composition and the factors that influence intercrystalline brine at different time periods. Hydrochemistry, mineralogy, and hydrogeochemical simulation methods were employed to understand the brine evolution. Our results indicate that after nearly 20 years of exploitation, the intercrystalline brine still belongs to the magnesium sulfate subtype, with only slight variations in salinity. The concentrations of Na, K, and SO4 showed a slight increase, while the content of Mg and Cl decreased slightly. The concentrations of B and Li exhibited minor fluctuations. The provenance, water level, and hydraulic connection had minimal influence on the chemical composition of the intercrystalline brine. By contrast, the dynamic dissolution and precipitation of sulfate minerals and halite, as well as drastic changes in hydrological conditions (such as floods), were identified as the main factors affecting the chemical composition of brine. With the large-scale extraction of intercrystalline brine, the content of elements in the salt lake showed a decreasing trend. This can be attributed to the fact that intercrystalline brine is formed through long-term evaporation and concentration. Therefore, during the exploitation process, it is crucial to monitor the hydrochemical variations of intercrystalline brine and understand the controlling factors. The results of this study may prove useful for the sustainable development and utilization of salt lake resources worldwide.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their constructive comments and suggestions, which substantially improved the manuscript. This work was supported by the Foundation of Qinghai Science & Technology Department (2020-ZJ-946Q), the Talent Project of Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 2021431), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research (Grant No. YSBR-039).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Comprehensive and Highly Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China

    Zhanjie Qin, Qingkuan Li, Wenxia Li, Qishun Fan, Tianyuan Chen, Jianping Wang & Fashou Shan

  2. Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Geology and Environment of Salt Lakes, Xining, 810008, China

    Zhanjie Qin, Qingkuan Li, Wenxia Li, Qishun Fan, Tianyuan Chen, Jianping Wang & Fashou Shan

  3. Qinghai CITIC Guoan Lithium Development Co. Ltd, Golmud, 816000, China

    Chan Wu

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  1. Zhanjie Qin
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Contributions

ZQ helped in sample collection, data analysis, and writing. QL done project design and discussion. WL done project design and revision. QF helped in discussion and sample collection. TC helped in sample collection. CW helped in data collection and discussion. JW and FS done discussion and revision.

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Correspondence to Qingkuan Li or Wenxia Li.

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Qin, Z., Li, Q., Li, W. et al. Elemental Variations and Mechanisms of Brines in the Context of Large-Scale Exploitation: A Case Study of Xitaijnar Salt Lake, Qaidam Basin. Aquat Geochem (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-023-09419-y

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