Research Status and Development Trends of Inorganic Salt Lake Resource Extraction Based on Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Salt lake resources are unique and valuable minerals on Earth associated with specific elements. The advancement of technology and the rise of new industries are progressively showcasing their strategic significance for economic development. This study used bibliometrics and visualization techniques to analyze the current state and developmental trends of research on salt lake resource exploitation, both domestically and globally. A total of 760 articles from Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) were analyzed. The research findings reveal that the processes of salt lake separation and extraction have progressed through three distinct stages: the germination stage, the stable development stage, and the rapid development stage. China has offered robust policy support for research in this domain at the national level. China possesses a centrality score of 1.08 in the separation and extraction of salt lakes, with 50% of the 10 most active nations in this domain situated in Asia and South America. The prominent institutions comprise the Chinese Academy of Sciences (centrality score of 0.32), the Qinghai Salt Lake Study Institute (centrality score of 0.22), and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (centrality score of 0.14), encompassing a diverse array of study subjects. Keywords from 2003 signify the initial advancement of lithium extraction from saline lakes, whereas those from 2011 underscore the heightened focus on integrated resource utilization and multidisciplinary study. Keywords from 2015 indicate an intensified emphasis on the extraction of lithium and other elements. The terms “tributyl phosphate” (citation strength of 6.05) and “nanofiltration” (citation strength of 4.29) exhibit significant interest in magnesium–lithium separation research and water treatment technologies employed in salt lake separation and extraction, receiving the highest number of citations. The persistent emphasis on “lithium ions” signifies the increasing demand for raw materials propelled by advancements in the new energy sector. Research trend analysis indicates that sodium resource utilization has stabilized, whereas magnesium, a byproduct of lithium extraction, is presently a key focus for downstream product applications. Rare elements remain at the experimental research stage. The industrialization of salt lake resources, including potassium, lithium, and boron, is notably advanced. Future research should focus on the mineralization and enrichment patterns of potassium resources, developing improved extraction methods for lithium, and advancing technologies for the cost-effective and environmentally friendly separation of boron resources. The future objective for resource extraction in salt lakes is to transition from a crude methodology to a refined, sustainable, and intelligent development framework.