Northern Puna Plateau-scale survey of Li brine-type deposits in the Andes of NW Argentina

Steinmetz, Romina Lucrecia López; Salvi, Stefano; Garcia, Marie-Carmen; Arnold, Yesica Peralta; Béziat, Didier; Franco, G. S.; Constantini, Ornela Estefania; Córdoba, Francisco; Caffe, Pablo Jorge

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2018.02.013

Cited by 44 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Specific attention was given to the chemistry of brines in Andean salars, providing conceptual geochemical models for circulating fluids (Warren, 2010;Houston et al, 2011;Munk et al, 2018). Hydrothermal fluids, whose chemistry reflects the interaction between meteoric waters and Andean crustal rocks (Perkins et al, 2016;Peralta Arnold et al, 2017;Chiodi et al, 2019;Tapia et al, 2019), were considered to be one of the main sources for the Andean Li-rich brines (Lowenstein and Risacher, 2009;Houston et al, 2011;Munk et al, 2011;Godfrey et al, 2013;L� opez Steinmetz et al, 2018;Garcia et al, 2020). Brines concentrate as evaporation (i.e., water loss) induces salt precipitation (Eugster, 1980;Munk et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical and isotopic features of Li-rich brines from the Salar de Olaroz, Central Andes of NW Argentina

Franco

Arnold

Santamans

et al. 2020

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

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The lithium-rich brines of the Salar de Olaroz in the Central Andes of NW Argentina are considered to be of great economic and strategic interest. This study focused on the fluid source(s) and geochemical processes governing the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the surficial waters of Olaroz (residual brines, ephemeral lakes, rivers and tributary streams), aiming to define the mechanisms leading to such a huge Li reservoir. The chemistry of the Rosario River, which is one of the main sources of recharge of the Salar de Olaroz, is mostly controlled by fluid inputs from hydrothermal systems located north of the salar (in the volcanic areas of Rosario de Coyaguayma, Pairique, and Cono Panizo). The hydrothermal fluids are characterized by relatively high Li concentrations, as they interact with Li-rich rocks pertaining to Miocene -Pliocene volcanic formations, Ordovician sedimentary deposits, and, possibly, pre-Ordovician crystalline basement. In the salar, the hyperarid climate regulates the relative proportion between supplied waters and evaporation, inducing deposition/dissolution of salts, which controls the concentrations of main ions in brines and ephemeral lakes. Hence, the peculiar combination of a Lirich primary source, the hydrothermal scavenging by geothermal fluids that feed the Rosario River, and secondary concentration processes affecting the surficial water within the salar leads to the formation of the huge Li reservoir characterizing this area.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical and isotopic features of Li-rich brines from the Salar de Olaroz, Central Andes of NW Argentina

Franco

Arnold

Santamans

et al. 2020

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

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“…Most of Li concentrations of brines in these Li-rich salt lakes on the QTP range from 100 to 300 mg/L, which is lower than those (mean Li concentrations varying from 82-1400 mg/L) of brines from salars in the South America, such as Uyuni, Salar de Atacama and Hombre Muerto salars [2,47]. These Li-rich brines in salt lakes on the QTP can be classified as the carbonate, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and chloride types according to the Kurnakov-Valyashko hydrochemical classification.…”

Section: The Hydrochemistry and Distribution Of Li-rich Brines In Salmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…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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“…Its average concentration of 1400 mg/L exceeds the Li concentrations of other salars in the region by a factor of four, with the possible exception of Pastos Grandes in Bolivia, which averages 1062 mg/L [2,3] though its spatial extent is not reported. Hypotheses why Li becomes so enriched in brine within closed basins of the central Andes include indeterminate Li-rich rocks or clays, hydrothermal activity, an arid climate and tectonic subsidence [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. These hypotheses are characteristic of the area in general, and not specific to the Salar de Atacama; thus, the reasons why the Salar de Atacama has become exceptionally enriched in Li requires a specific set of conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…It interrupts the western slope of the Andes that is 200 km east of the Pacific coastline. The salar has a surface area of 3000 km 2 and estimates of the halite volume range between 1500 and 2200 km 3 [18][19][20]. Below the halite body is 600 m of claystone with minor sand [20], forming a very low permeability layer.…”

Section: Background To the Salar De Atacamamentioning

confidence: 99%

Volcanic and Saline Lithium Inputs to the Salar de Atacama

Godfrey

Álvarez-Amado

2020

Minerals

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The Li-rich brine contained within the halite body of the Salar de Atacama is uncommon for two reasons: First, it has an exceptionally high Li concentration, even compared to other closed basins in the Li triangle of South America; and second, it is widespread within the halite nucleus and not restricted to a localized area. This study focusses on the southern half of the salar where Li production occurs and draws comparisons with its northern neighboring basin through which the Loa river flows. Concentration and isotope data for water inflowing to this part of the salar were obtained from surface inflow as well as wells located within the alluvial fans on its eastern margin. Lithium varies between 0.2 and 20 mg/L before reaching the salar where small amounts of the brine and or salts that precipitated from it can increase its concentration up to 400 mg/L or higher. The δ7Li of the inflow water varies between +4.9‰ and +11.2‰ and increases to +12.6‰ within the salar margin, consistent with salar brine based on reported measurements. Boron isotopes indicate that it is unlikely that solutes are derived from sedimentary evaporites or mineral cements, unlike the situation in the adjacent Loa basin. Water that flows through an aquifer laterally confined by a basement block and a line of volcanoes has a notably higher δ7Li than other inflow water, around +9‰, and increasing to +10.5‰. δ7Li values are overall higher than were measured in the adjacent Loa basin, indicating that here the water–rock reactions for Li are more evolved due to longer residence times. Lithium concentrations increased with sodium and chloride, but sedimentary evaporites are shown to be unimportant from δ11B. This is accounted for two ways: evaporated saline inflow leaks from higher elevation basins and inflows are partly derived from or modified by active volcanic systems. Active and dormant volcanoes plus the massive Altiplano–Puna magmatic body are important as heat sources, which enhance water–rock reactions. The large topographic difference between the mean elevation of Altiplano on which these volcanoes sit and the salar surface allows hydrothermal fluids, which would otherwise stay deep below the surface under the modern arc, to uplift at the salar.

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Northern Puna Plateau-scale survey of Li brine-type deposits in the Andes of NW Argentina

Cited by 44 publications

References 48 publications

Chemical and isotopic features of Li-rich brines from the Salar de Olaroz, Central Andes of NW Argentina

Chemical and isotopic features of Li-rich brines from the Salar de Olaroz, Central Andes of NW Argentina

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

Volcanic and Saline Lithium Inputs to the Salar de Atacama

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