Salt mineral genesis and exploration
2. Brief Introduction
The research group consists of nine permanent staff, including two researchers, four associate researchers, two assistant researchers, and one engineer, complemented by one temporary technical staff member and five postgraduate students.
Our primary research interests focus on: (1) the study of salt resources within the "Belt and Road" region and the mineralization patterns of Chinese brine; and (2) the application of engineering technologies for the exploration and development of solid and liquid salt deposits.
Our goal is to establish an internationally leading team in the fundamental research of brine mineralization systems and in providing consulting services for the exploration technologies of brine and salt deposits.
Name: Dr. Zhanjie Qin
Major: Geology
Tel: +86-(0)15297217455
E-mail: qinzhanjie@isl.ac.cn
Brief CV：Qin Zhanjie, male, born in 1987, Ph.D., associate researcher, master's supervisor, member of Young Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is mainly engaged in the research of evaporite mineralisation system, and in recent years, he mainly focuses on the salt mineralisation process of salt resources in the countries along the ‘One Belt and One Road’. He has published more than 20 papers in The Innovation Geoscience, OGR, GI, AG and other academic journals. He has presided over a number of projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Natural Science Foundation of Qinghai Province and corporate projects.
4. Group members
(1) Staffs
Fashou Shan Qingguo Sun Yongsheng Du Jiansen Li
Dr./Researcher Dr./Researcher Dr./ Associate researcher Dr./ Associate researcher
Qin Yuan Mingxiang Wang Xiguang Huang Xiaojie Fan
Dr./ Associate researcher Mr./ Engineer Dr./ Assistant researcher Dr./ Assistant researcher
(2) Master’s Degree Students
Shengpeng Mo Wenjie Li Xin Tong
Xueyuan Zhou Xintong Zhu Xiang Li
(3) Alumni
Long Fang (MSc, 2024) Haoxue Wei (MSc,2024)
5. Research Projects
1. Lithium-Rich Brine Mineralization in the Tibetan Plateau, Young Scientist Project, National Key Research and Development Project of China, 2023.10–2026.09, 2000k.
2. New Process for the Preparation of Anhydrous Magnesium Chloride via Natural Water-Driven Circulation Adsorption of Magnesium Chloride Medium, STS Regional Key Project, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021.01–2022.12, 3500k.
3. Hydrogeology of Salt-Rich and Brine-Rich Basins, Youth Innovation Promotion Association Projrct, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2020.01–2023.12, 800k.
4. Study on the Source Attributes of Large-Scale Potassium-Magnesium-Calcium Minerals and the Hydrological Evolution of Potash Deposits in the Khorat Plateau, General Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2021.01–2024.12, 732k.
5. Study on the Mechanism of Deep-Water Halogenesis and Geochemical Patterns of Typical Salt Lake Deposits in the Central and Western Qaidam Basin, General Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2020.01–2023.12, 650k.
6. Study on the Enrichment Mechanism of Saline Elements for Strategic Resource Formation in Deep Underground Brine of the Qaidam Basin, Joint Project, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2015.01–2017.12, 600k.
7. Palynological Assemblages and Their Implications of Salt-bearing Strata in Laos, Young Scientists Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2014.01–2016.12, 270k.
8. Enrichment Mechanism of Mineralization Elements in Oilfield Water in the Western Qaidam Basin and the Origin of Boron Isotope Anomaly Zones, Young Scientists Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2015.01–2017.12, 240k.
9. Fundamental Research on the Mineralization of Potash Deposits in the Khorat Plateau and Salt Resources along the Belt and Road Initiative, Youth Innovation Promotion Association Projrct, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021.01–2024.12, 800k.
10. In-situ Leaching Study of Polyhalite in Salt Lakes, Research Fund for Western Young Scholars A, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019.01–2021.12, 500k
11. Study on the Mg-Sr Isotopic Composition of Paleogene Thick Evaporites in the Kuqa-Shache Basin, Xinjiang, and its Geological Significance, Research Fund for Western Young Scholars B, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2020.01–2022.12, 150k.
12. Study on the Formation Mechanism of Boron Deposits and the Prediction of Strategic Boron-Rich Target Areas in the Central-Northern Margin of the Qaidam Basin, Applied Basic Research Project, Qinghai Provincial Department of Science and Technology, 2020.01–2023.12, 400k.
13. Study on the Composition Characteristics of Clay Minerals and the Mechanism of Lithium Adsorption in the Terminal Salt Lakes of the Nalinggele River-West Taijnar, Youth Fund Project, Qinghai Provincial Natural Science Fund, 2020.01–2022.12, 200k
14. Hydrogeological Characteristics and Origins of the Hot Springs in the Qilian Mountains and the Eastern Kunlun Mountains, Youth Fund Project, Qinghai Provincial Natural Science Fund, 2021.01–2023.12, 100k.
15. Study on the Enrichment Mechanism of Lithium and Boron Elements in the Northern and Southern Salt Lakes of the Qaidam Basin, Kunlun Elite, High-End Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents of Qinghai Province, 2019.10–2022.09, 200k.
16. Sedimentary Evolution of Ancient Salt Lakes in the Nangqian Basin of the Tibetan Plateau and Their Coupling with Climate, Kunlun Elite, High-End Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents of Qinghai Province, 2021.10–2025.10. 200k.
17. Study of Palynological Assemblages in Cenozoic Salt-bearing Strata in Southern Qinghai, Youth Guidance Fund, Qinghai Institute of Slat Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2014.11–2016.11, 100k.
18. Study on the Mechanism of Ecological and Environmental Changes in the Qaidam Basin, Commissioned Project, China Geological Survey, 2022.06–2023.12, 200k.
19. Chloride Conversion of Medium for the Preparation of High-Quality Anhydrous Magnesium Chloride, Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2023.01–2025.12, 3000k.
20. Study on the Mineralization of Polyhalite Deposits in the Western Qaidam Basin, Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2019.10–2021.10, 1727k.
21. Resource Endowment Survey and Exploitation Potential Assessment of Lithium-Rich Salt Lakes in the Tibetan Plateau, 2021.03–2022.12, 600k.
22. Study on Potash and Crystal Salt Mineralization in the Kuqa Basin, Xinjiang，Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2015.09–2016.12, 493k.
23. Study on Groundwater Monitoring in the Dongming Open-Pit Mine, Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2023.01–2025.06, 450k.
24. Preliminary Evaluation of Potassium and Lithium Resource Potential in the Chahansilatu III Mining Area and Research on New Well Construction Techniques for Brine Extraction, Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2022.01–2022.01, 210k.
25. Spore-Pollen Stratigraphic Chronology and Paleoenvironmental Evolution of the Hongsanhan Area, Enterprise Commissioned Project, 2021.06–2022.12, 99k.
6. Publications
(1) Papers
1. Z. Qin, Q. Li*, W.a Li*, Q. Fan, T. Chen, C. Wu, J. Wang, F. Shan. Elemental variations and mechanisms of brines in the context of large-scale expoitation: A case study of Xitaijnar Salt Lake, Qaidam Basin. Aquatic Geochemistry, 2023, 1-21.
2. Z. Qin, C. Tang*, L. Liu*, T. Chen, B. Gong. Large evaporate provinces: Warming from above or heating from belw?. The Innovation Geoscience, 2023, 1, 100008.
3. Z. Qin, Q. Li*, Q. Yuan, Q. Li, H. He, Y. Du, J. Wang, F. Shan, C. Xue. Discussion on research status and prospects of the Khorat Plateau potash deposit on the basis of the metallogenic system theory. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2023.,97,596-612 (in Chinese with English abstract).
4. J. Li*, T. Li, Y. Ma, Fukun Chen. Distribution and origin of brine-type Li-Rb mineralization in the Qaidam Basin, NW China. Science China Earth Sciences, 2022, 65, 477-489.
5. Q. Yuan, B Natasha*, R Catarina, et al. Palaeoenvironmental changes in Eocene Tibetan lake systems traced by geochemistry, sedimentology and palynofacies. Journal Asian of Earth Sciences. 2021, 214, 104778.
6. J. Li*, Fukun Chen, Zhiyong Ling, Tingwei Li. Lithium sources in oilfield waters from the Qaidam Basin, Tibetan Plateau: Geochemical and Li isotopic evidence. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 139, 104481.
7. Z. Qin*, Q. Li, X. Zhang,Q. Fan*, J. Wang, Y. Du, Y. Ma, H.Wei, Qin Yuan, F. Shan. Origin and recharge model of the Late Cretaceous evaporites in the Khorat Plateau. Ore Geology Reviews, 2020, 116, 103226.
8. Q.Yuan, B Natasha*, R Catarina, et al. Aridification signatures from fossil pollen indicate a drying climate in east-central Tibet during the late Eocene. Climate of the Past, 2020, 16, 2255-2273.
9. Z. Qin*, Q. Li,Q. Fan, X. Zhang, Y. Du, H.Wei, Q. Yuan, J. Wang*, F. Shan. Origin on Underground Brine in Potassium-Bearing Strata in Khammouane, Central Laos. Geochemistry International. 2019, 57, 1327-1338.
10. Y. Du,Q. Fan*, D. Gao, H.Wei, F. Shan, B. Li, X. Zhang, Q. Yuan, Z. Qin, Q. Ren, Xueming Teng. Evaluation of boron isotopes in halite as an indicator of the salinity of Qarhan paleolake water in the eastern Qaidam Basin, western China. Geoscience Frontiers, 2019, 10, 253-262.
11. Z. Qin, X. Zhang, Z. Peng, Q. Li, Q. Ma*, Q. Fan, Y. Du, J. Wang, F. Shan, Separation of Boron and Analysis of Boron isotope from anhydrite/gypsum. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2018, 46, 48-54 (in Chinese).
12. Q. Yuan*, V Vajda*, Q. Li, et al. A late Eocene palynological record from the Nangqian Basin, Tibetan Plateau: Implications for stratigraphy and paleoclimate. Palaeoworld, 2017, 26, 369-379.
(2) Patents
1. A Sampling Device for Solid-Liquid Mixtures in Salt Pans, ZL202321395228.6
2. Methods for the Separation of Boron from Gypsum and/or Anhydrite Minerals and the Determination of Boron Isotope, ZL201711146655.X
3. A Method for the Preparation of Anhydrous Magnesium Chloride, ZL201410178880.1
4. A Method for Separating Magnesium and Lithium from Old Brine in Salt Lakes, ZL201410554977.8
5. A Method for Preparing High-Purity Magnesium Oxide through Thermal Decomposition of Magnesium Chloride, ZL201010539446.3
6. A Method for Preparing Dolomite Magnesia from Bischofite and Dolomite, ZL201210066762.2
7. A Method for Prospecting and Exploring Potash Deposits, ZL201710334503.6
(3) Monograph
7. Awards and Honors
1. Selected Candidate of the Xiadu Elite Action Plan, 2024;
2. Young Scientist of the National Key Research and Development Project of China, 2023;
3. President of the Lanzhou Branch of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2023
4. Lifetime Member of the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry, 2023
5. Outstanding Youth Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Salt Lake Research, 2022 and 2023;
6. Outstanding Youth of the Lanzhou Branch, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021
7. Outstanding Talent of Qinghai Province "Kunlun Elite · High-End Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent" Program, 2019