Contrasting sources and enrichment mechanisms in lithium-rich salt lakes:A Li-H-O isotopic and geochemical study from northern Tibetan Plateau  

作　　者：Fei Xue Hongbing Tan Xiying Zhang MSantosh Peixin Cong Lu Ge Chao Li Guohui Chen Yu Zhang 

机构地区：[1]School of Earth Sciences and Engineering,Hohai University,Nanjing 210098,PR China [2]Key Laboratory of Comprehensive and Highly Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Resources,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Geology and Environment of Salt Lakes,Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Qinghai 810008,PR China [3]School of Earth Sciences and Resources,China University of Geosciences Beijing,Beijing 100083,PR China [4]Department of Earth Sciences,University of Adelaide,SA 5005,Australia [5]Yonsei Frontier Lab,Yonsei University,Seoul 0372,Korea

出　　处：《Geoscience Frontiers》2024年第2期315-333,共19页地学前缘（英文版）

基　　金：This project was jointly supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(Grant No.2022QZKK0202);the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U22A20573);the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.B230201014).

摘　　要：Lithium(Li),a crucial mineral resource for modern high-tech industries,is notably abundant in the northern Tibetan Plateau,primarily within lithium-rich salt lakes.However,the exploration and development of these resources are hindered due to an incomplete understanding of their nature and origin.Here we present results from a comprehensive study on the hydrochemical parameters,whole-rock geochemistry,H-O isotopes,and Li concentrations in surface brine,river water,geothermal springs,and associated rocks from two representative lithium-enriched salt lakes,the Laguo Co(LGC)and Cangmu Co(CMC)in Tibet to understand the genetic mechanisms.Our water-salt balance calculations and H-O isotopic analysis reveal that Li in LGC and CMC primarily originates from the Suomei Zangbo(SMZB,~91%)and Donglong Zangbo(DLZB,~75%)rivers,respectively.It is estimated that the LGC and CMC took a minimum of 6.0 ka and 3.0 ka to accumulate their current lithium resources,respectively.The distinct geological characteristics reflect evolutionary differences between the two lakes,suggesting diverse lithium sources and enrichment processes.The high lithium ion concentration and light lithium isotope composition in the SMZB river waters indicate the genetic relationship with lithium-enriched geothermal springs in the Tibetan Plateau.Our results suggest that lithium in the LGC originates from lithium-enriched geothermal springs and is primarily supplied through the small-scale SMZB river.In contrast,the formation and evolution of CMC are influenced by the northern Lunggar rifts,receiving a prolonged and stable input from the DLZB,resulting in high lithium concentrations and isotopic values.The absence of lithium-enriched geothermal springs and the prevalence of silicate rocks in the CMC catchment suggest that lithium may be sourced from the weathering of silicate rocks,such as granitic pegmatite veins containing lithium-rich beryl,widely distributed in the upstream area of DLZB.The forward modeling approach,quantifying the contribution fractions o

关 键 词：Lithium isotopes HYDROCHEMISTRY Salt lakes Enrichment mechanism Tibetan Plateau 

分 类 号：P618.13[天文地球—矿床学]