1. Research Group
Hydrogeology and Resource Exploration Research Group
2. Brief Introduction
Our research group focuses on key strategic minerals in salt lakes, conducting cutting-edge fundamental and applied research in several areas: enrichment processes and mineralization mechanisms, hydrogeology and resource changes in salt lake mining areas, geochemical and geophysical exploration techniques for salt lake resources, solid-liquid transformation mechanisms and extraction technologies, and the impact of human activities on environment responses. There are 16 members in our group, including 1 professor, 3 associated professors, 1 engineer, 2 engineer assistants, 4 research assistants, 3 Ph.D. students, 5 master students, and 1 research support staff.
3. Introduction of The Group Director
Name: Dr./Prof. Xiying Zhang
Major: Ore deposits, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Salt, Environmental Changes of Salt Lakes
Tel: +86-(0)-13709750975
E-mail: xyzhchina@isl.ac.cn
Brief CV:
Zhang Xiying, Ph.D., born in 1977, professor and doctoral supervisor at Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He currently serves as the Director of Salt Lake Geology and Environment Laboratory and the leader of the Hydrogeology and Resource Exploration Research Group. He earned his master's and doctorate degrees in geochemistry at the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake in 2003 and 2013 respectively. In 2007, 2012, and 2017, he was employed as a research assistant, associate professor, and professor at Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Zhang’s primary research focuses on salt mineral deposits, mineralogy, geochemistry, and related studies. He has led over ten major research projects, including sub-projects under the Chinese National Basic Research Program (973), the Chinese Second Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Scientific Expedition Program, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the Key and General Projects funded by the National Science Foundation of China. Prof. Zhang has published more than 50 academic papers as the first or corresponding authors, selected for the Chinese Academy of Sciences Talent Program in 2016 and the Qinghai Provincial Talend Program in 2021. Prof. Zhang holds numerous academic and social positions, including editorial board member of Journal of Salt Lake Research and the specially appointed advisory expert for the Haixi Prefecture Government of Qinghai Province of China (2018); editorial board member of the journal Salt Lake Research and the specially appointed advisory expert for the Haixi Prefecture Government of Qinghai Province of China (2018); guest professor at the Qinghai Key Laboratory of Cold Region Restoration Ecology (2019); selected for the Qinghai Provincial Major Project Planning Expert Pool (first batch) and appointed as a guest professor at the Qinghai Key Laboratory for Salt Lake Resource Exploration in the Qaidam basin (2020); the member of the Qinghai Wetland Protection Expert Committee and as an adjunct professor at Hohai University (2021); the member of committee of the Geological Society of China on Salt Resources and Environment, a board member of the 10th Council of the Qinghai Geographic Society, and an expert mentor for the “Haixi Prefecture Cadre Education Faculty Pool” organized by the governmental committee of Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China (2022).
4. Group members
(1) Staffs
Weiliang Miao Xiaolong Yuan Wenxia Li Lei Yi
Dr./Associate Prof. Dr./Associate Prof. M. Sc./ Engineer Dr./Associate Prof.
Rongchang Hong Haixia Zhu Weigang Su Zhiyuan Shen
Dr./ Res. Assistant M. Sc./ Eng. Assistant Dr./ Res. Assistant M. Sc./Eng. Assistant
Xiaochen Ma Yulong Li Pin Gao
Dr./ Res. Assistant Dr./ Res. Assistant Dr./ Res. Assistant
(2) Ph.D. Students
Guang Han Changzhong Li Mingchen Ge
(3) Master’s Degree Students
Huibin Zhao Xinyi Duan Changhao Luo Jiaxing Shu
Zhichao Ma Zeyuan Xiao Lufei Zhen Bo Zhang
5. Research Projects
5. Research Projects
1. Ecological and Environmental Effects of Clustered Development of Salt Lake Resources, the Second Qinghai-Xizang Comprehensive Scientific Expedition Program, 2019.11-2024.12, 1750k.
2. Mechanism of Solid-Liquid Transformation and the Water-Salt Cycle Process in Salt Lake Areas, the National Key Research and Development Program, 2018.01-2021.12, 1000k.
3. Metallogenic Process, Mechanism and Model of Polylithium in Salt Lakes of Northern Tibet Plateau, Key Program of Regional Joint Found of National Natural Science Foundation, 2023.1-2026.12, 2530k.
4. Formation Mechanism and Distinguishing Mark of Salt Anomaly of Potash Deposits in Khorat Plateau, General Program of National Science Foundation of China, 2020.11-2024.12, 630k.
5. Evolution and Mineralization of Polyhalite Ore-forming Fluids in Salt Lake within the Modern Inland, General Program of National Science Foundation of China, 2016.9-2020.12, 640k.
6. Quantitative Analysis of Evaporite in Zhurong Landing Area Based on Multi-modal Information Fusion: Evaporites Characteristics and Evolution Process, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 2023.1-2023.12, 50k.
7. Percolation-dissolution Process of Brine Reservoir in Modern Salt Lake and its Influences/ Control Factors, National Natural Science Foundation of China-Youth Foundation, 2019.1-2021.12, 230k.
8. Rupture Model Based on Geodetic and Geophysical Data to Invert the Spatio-temporal Process of Focal Rupture, National Natural Science Foundation Youth Fund, 2021.1-2023.12, 240k.
9. Optimization of Liquefaction Mechanism and Recovery and Replenishment Scheme of Low-grade Soluble Potash in the North of Qarhan Salt Lake, Basic Research Youth Innovation and Cross-disciplinary Team Project, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021.12-2024.12, 1000k.
10. Genetic Mechanism and Resource Potential Evaluation of Deep Potassium-Boron-Lithium Brine in Central Qaidam Basin, Western Light Youth Scholar, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021.1-2023.12, 720k.
11. Environmental Geology and Resource Exploitation of Salt Lake, Key Laboratory Cross-team project of Western Light Youth Scholar, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2022.1-2024.12, 2000k.
12. Evaluation of Reservoir Performance and Prediction of Optimal Dissolving Zone of Mixed Halogen Ore in Qaidam Basin, Youth Scholar Project of Western Light Youth Scholar, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017.1-2019.12, 520k.
13. Geophysical Exploration of Salt Lake, Project of Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Science, 2023.1-2026.12, 800k.
14. Mechanism of Solid-liquid Transformation and High Efficiency Ore Dissolution Driven by Water Solution, Key Deployment Project, Chinese Academy of Science, 2020.1-2.23.12, 1500k.
15. Watershed Flood Simulation and Prediction, Subproject of Key Deployment Project, Chinese Academy of Science, 2020.1-2023.12, 300k.
16. Seismic Structure of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its Influence on Material Migration in Salt Lakes, B project of Western Youth, Chinese Academy of Science, 2019.1-2021.12, 150k.
17. Influence of Water Replenishment Project on Halogen Storage Structure in Salt Lake District, Applied Basic Research, Department of Science and Technology of Qinghai Province, China, 2020.1-2022.12, 400k.
18. Resource and Environment Scientific Observation System Platform in the Salt Lake area of Qaidam Basin, Science and Technology Innovation Platform Construction Project of Qinghai Province, China, 2021.1-2023.12, 800k.
19. Distribution of Underground Liquid Deposits in the Process of Solid-liquid Transformation of Mineral Resources in Salt lake, Natural Foundation Youth Project of Qinghai Province, China, 2020.1-2023.12, 200K.
20. Restriction Factors and Conversion Efficiency of Solid Potash Liquefaction Mining in Qarhan Salt Lake, Commissioned Project of the Geology and Mineral Bureau of Qinghai Province, 2022.4-2023.4, 320k.
6. Publications
(1) Papers
1. Zhao, H. B., Miao, W. L*., Zhang, X. Y., & Li, W. X. (2024). Geochemical Behaviour and Influencing Factors of Salt-Forming Elements in Lithium-Rich Salt Lake Region: A Case Study from the Nalenggele River Basin, Qaidam Basin. Aquatic Geochemistry, 1-21.
2. Li, W. X., Qin, Z. J., Miao, W. L., Li, Y. L., Chang, W. J., Du, Y. S., Li, B. K., Zhang, X. Y. (2024). Solute Sources and Mechanism of Boron Enrichment in the Tataleng River on the Northern Margin of the Qaidam Basin. Aquatic Geochemistry, 30, 97-119.
3. Li, Y. L*., Miao, W. L., He, M. Y., Li, C. Z., Gu, H. E., & Zhang, X. Y*. (2023). Origin of lithium-rich salt lakes on the western Kunlun Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from hydrogeochemistry and lithium isotopes. Ore Geology Reviews, 155, 105356.
4. Cai, N., Li, L. M., Zhu, H. X., Chen, L., Li, S. P., Meng, F. W., & Zhang, X. Y*. (2023). Multiple evaluations, risk assessment, and source identification of heavy metals in surface water and sediment of the Golmud River, northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 1095731.
5. Miao, W*., Zhang, X. Y*., Li, Y. L., Li, W. X., Yuan, X. L., & Li, C. Z. (2022). Lithium and strontium isotopic systematics in the Nalenggele River catchment of Qaidam basin, China: Quantifying contributions to lithium brines and deciphering lithium behavior in hydrological processes. Journal of Hydrology, 614, 128630.
6. Li, W. X., Miao, W. L*., Zhang, X. Y*., Qin, Z. J., Li, Q. K., Du, Y. S. (2022). Distribution Characteristics of Lithium in Surface Sediments of Nalinggele River,Qaidam Basin. Journal of Salt Lake Research, 30(2), 86-98 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
7. Han, G., Yuan, X. L*., Han, J. B., Liu, J. B., Fan, Z. L., Hu, Y., & Zhang, X. Y. (2022). Comparative Analysis on the Characteristic Changes of the Brine Reservoir System before and after Exploration of the Qarhan Salt Lake (Huobuxun Area). Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 43(3), 279-286 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
8. Li. M. L., Yuan, X. L., Zhang, X. Y*., Miao, W. L., Hong, R. C., Zhu, H. X., Chen, L. (2022). Preliminary Study on the Hydrochemical Characteristics of Underground Brines During Replenishing Dissolved Minerals on the North Shore of Dabson Lake. Journal of Salt Lake Research, 30(2), 99-109 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
9. Zhu, D. X., Zhang, X. Y., Shi, G. C., Li, Y. Q., & Tang, Q. L. (2022). Mineralogy and Geochemical Response Characteristics of Potash Metamorphism: A Case Study of Pore ZK004 in Savannakhet Potash Basin, Laos. 30(2), 118-127 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
10. Shi, G. C., Zhu, D. X., Zhang, X. Y*., Li, Y. Q. (2022). A Preliminary Study on the Origin and Identification of the Salt Anticline in the Vientiane Potash Deposit in Laos. Journal of Salt Lake Research, 30(2), 128-138 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
11. Geng, J., Zhang, X. Y., Guo, X. N., Li, W. X., Gaosan, X. B., Wang, J., Zhang, H. X., Tang, Q. L., & Chen, L. (2021). Sources of soluble salts in dustfall and their impact on resources and environment in the Qaidam basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 95(7), 2082-2098 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
12. Chang, Z., Yuan, X. L., Liu, W. P., Li, M. L., Miao, W. L., Cheng, H. D., Bu, D., Zhang, H., & Zhang, X. Y*. (2022). A Study on the Mechanism of Influence of the Dissolution of Solid Potassium Salt in Qarhan Salt Lake to the Rate of Solvent Injection. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 43(3), 287-294 (In Chinese with English Abstract).
13. Li, Y. L., Miao, W. L., Zhang, X. Y., He, M. Y., Tang, Q. L., Yang, K. Y., Li, Y. S., Han, J. L., & Zhao, X. (2021). Hydrochemical Characteristics and Salt-Formation Elements Sources of Li-Rich Brines in Kushui Lake,West Kunlun. Earth Science, 46(11), 4161-4174 (in Chinese with English Abstract).
14. Li, J., Zhang, X. Y*., Hu, M. Y*., Li, W. X., Miao, W. L., Yuan, X. L., Li, Y. S., Tang, Q. L., Han, W. X., & Ma, H. Z. (2021). Halogenases of Qarhan Salt Lake in the Qaidam Basin: evidence from Halite fluid inclusions. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9, 698229.
15. Tang, Q. L., Zhang, X. Y*., Miao, W. L., Ma, H. Z., Li, Y. S., Li, W. X., & Yuan, X. L. (2021). Mineralogical characteristics and sedimentary envrionment significance of water-insoluble minerals in potash deposits of Vientiane Basin of Laos. Carbonates and Evaporites, 36(70), 1-15.
16. Zhu, H. X., Teng, Y*., Wang, X. M., Zhao, L., Ren, W. J., Luo, Y. M., & Christie, P. (2021). Changes in clover rhizosphere microbial community and diazotrophs in mercury-contaminated soils. Science of the Total Environment, 767, 145473.
17. Yuan, X. L., Meng, F. W., Zhang, X. Y*., Sheng, J. C*., Galamay, A. R., Cheng, H. D., Li, Y. S., Miao, W. L., Li, W. X., Tang, Q. L., Li, J., & Du, Y. S. (2021). Ore-forming fluid evolution of shallow polyhalite deposits in the Kunteyi playa in the north Qaidam Basin. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9, 698347.
18. Zhang, X. Y., Meng, F. W., Li, W. X., Tang, Q. L., & Ni, P*., Reconstruction of Late Cretaceous coastal paleotemperature from halite deposits of the Late Cretaceous Nongbok Formation (Khorat Plateau, Laos). Palaeoworld, 2016, 25(3), 425-430.
19. Miao, W. L*., Fan, Q. S., Wei, H. C., Zhang, X. Y, & Ma, H. Z. (2016). Clay mineralogical and geochemical constraints on late Pleistocene weathering processes of the Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 127, 267-280.
20. Zhang, X. Y., Cheng, H. D., Tan, H. B., Yuan, X. L., Li, Y. S., Miao, W. L., Li, T. W., and Ma, H. Z. (2015). Late Cretaceous potash evaporites in Savannakhet Basin of middle Laos: Geochemical evidences of non-marine inputs. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2015, 31 (9): 2783-2793.
21. Zhang, X. Y., Ma, H. Z., Ma, Y. Q., Tang, Q. L., & Yuan, X. L., (2013). Origin of the late Cretaceous potash-bearing evaporites in the Vientiane Basin of Laos: δ11B evidence from borates. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 62, 812-818.
(2) Patents
1. Yuan, X. L., Zhang, X. Y., Miao, W. L., Li, Y. S., Tang, Q. L., & Li, W. X., 2021. A utility model relates to a seepage dissolving device for a halogen reservoir core column in salt lake. CN 214585400 U.
2. Yuan, X. L., Zhang, X. Y., Miao, W. L., & Yi, L., 2022. An invention relates to a solution extraction method for improving the conversion rate of solid potassium salt. CN 115288657 A.