Genesis of lithium brine deposits in the Jianghan Basin and progress in resource exploration: A review

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2021.8.11

Abstract

Abstract:

During the Paleogene, saline lakes developed in the Qianjiang and Jiangling Sags, Jianghan Basin, where thick evaporites later deposited to produce rich brine resources that contain industrial or general commercial grade Li, K, Rb, Cs, Br, and I elements. The Li-rich brines, belonging to deep underground lithium brine deposits, are a high-quality lithium resource, with low Mg/Li ratios. In this paper, the geotectonic feature, igneous rock and paleoclimatic background associated with the Jianghan Basin are summarized; the sedimentary facies of ancient salt lakes, the hydrochemistry, distribution and characteristics of lithium brine reservoirs, also the source and enrichment mechanism of lithium in brines, the formation model of lithium brine deposits, and progress in lithium brine exploration and mining technology are introduced; and the problems and solutions in the development and utilization of brines are discussed. The genesis of lithium brines in the Jianghan Basin is as follows: lithium, likely, comes mainly from the replenishment of Li-rich hydrothermal fluids produced by water-rock interaction at high temperature. In an arid climate, saline lake continues to evaporate and concentrate, leading to lithium enrichment in brines. At the end of salt lake evolution, the gradually buried intercrystalline Li-rich brines in saline minerals migrated to fractures, sandstone and basalt reservoirs for storage, where brine-reservoir rock interaction in geothermal environment further promotes lithium enrichment. Preliminary surveys of deep brines in the Jianghan Basin predicted large industrial scale LiCl resources in the basin with great resources potential. As lithium brine mining technology is maturing, researches on green technology development should be strengthened, and relevant exploration and development standards should be established.

Key words: lithium-rich brine, Paleogene, ancient salt lake, lithium brine extraction technology, Jianghan Basin

CLC Number:

YU Xiaocan, LIU Chenglin, WANG Chunlian, XU Haiming, ZHAO Yanjun, HUANG Hua, LI Ruiqin. Genesis of lithium brine deposits in the Jianghan Basin and progress in resource exploration: A review[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2022, 29(1): 107-123.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig.1 Simplified geological map of the Jianghan Basin showing the surrounding tectonic units. Modified after [26].

Fig.2 Basin filling evolution and stratigraphic column of the Jianghan Basin. Modified after [30].

Fig.3 Distribution of volcanic rocks in the Jianghan Basin. Modified after [54].

Table 1 Chemical compositions of deep Li rich brines from the Jiangling Depression

Fig.4 Relationship between Li (a, c) or K (b, d) content and TDS in Li-rich brines from the Jianghan Basin

Table 2 Chemical composition of deep Li- rich brines in Qianjiang Depression

Fig.5 Paleogene sedimentary facies map of the Jianghan Basin. Modified after [57,61-62].

Fig.6 Lithofacies of Li-rich brine reservoir in the Jianghan Basin

Fig.7 Isopach maps of sandstones (a, c) and volcanic rocks (b) in the Jianghan Basin. Modified after [31,61].

Fig.8 Model describing the potassium and lithium mineralization pathways in a rift basin. Modified after [9].

Fig.9 Principle process route of comprehensive utilization of brine in Jiangling Depression. Modified after [80].

Fig.10 Lithium production extraction process by precipitation from brine in Jiangling Depression. Modified after [80].

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