Academic communication----Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Second Round of Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program Task 8 Theme 5 “Salt Lake Resources” made important progresses

The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program is a national-landmark scientific project.
　　The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program is a national-landmark scientific project. Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL), CAS, undertook Task 8 Theme 5 “Salt Lake Resources” theme. Since the start of the project, ISL organized teams to carry out scientific expedition and researches on salt lake resources.
　　Up to now, the expedition lasted nearly 450 days in total, and more than 100 researchers took part in the expedition with the journey exceeding 100,000 kilometers. All the major salt lake zones on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) have been covered, especially the Qiangtang salt lake zone. Salt lakes on the Qiangtang Plateau are characterized by high altitude, low oxygen level, harsh environment. The expedition team overcome these difficulties and completed the tasks, laid a solid foundation for in-depth study on the ecology, environment, and resources of salt lakes in Tibet.
　　 A series of important progresses have been achieved. The carbon sequestration potential of halophilic microbial population in salt lakes have been revealed for the first time. The evidence lines for the origin and evolution of the Mesozoic marine potash deposits in the eastern Tethys domain have been improved. A novel model for the enrichment of Mg and Li in salt lakes in the Qaidam Basin have been proposed. Considering the changing property of salt lake resources, the evaluation system on carrying capacity of salt lake resources and the environment has been constructed. The interactive process between salt storms and human activities have been studied. Based on the expedition of the Li-rich salt lakes on the QTP, the suitability of resource development has been evaluated. The distribution, occurrence and geochemistry of deep-seated brines in the Qaidam Basin have been identified. The largest scientific data-sharing platform on salt lakes has been built. The above research achievements provide scientific support for the protection and development of salt lake resources on the QTP.
　　In the future, ISL will continue to tackle key problems on the high-efficiency development of salt lake resources and protection of fragile ecological environment in arid areas, and contribute strength to the construction of a world-class scientific research highland and industrial base in the field of salt lakes, and the safety of national energy and mineral security.
　　 Salt Lake research team set out
　　

2022-10-18

Progress made in the recycling of Rubidium and Cesium associated with lithium ore in Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes

Rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) products are extensively utilized in chemical catalysis, petroleum exploitation, and medicine. Rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) products are extensively utilized in chemical catalysis, petroleum exploitation, and medicine. They are important strategic resource, but the reserves are very limited in China. Rb and Cs can be found in salt lakes in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, but it is very difficult to exploit because of their low grade and complex composition.
　　For many years, the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake has been conducting studies on the separation and extraction of strategic resources like Li, B, Rb, Cs, and other related isotopes in the salt lake. These studies have yielded significant advancements in the fundamental of extraction chemistry and its industrial application, as well as a wealth of practical knowledge.
　　The research team proposed a full extraction separation process flow for cesium salt, known as "extraction washing purification stripping enrichment," and carried out a scale-up test on the equipment platform of the mixing clarification tank on the basis of extensive extraction system screening and optimization of process conditions. The extraction rate of Cs was steady at over 97% after more than 20 days of continuous operation, and zero Rb loss was also obtained at the same time. The purity of the obtained CsCl enrichment solution was more than 99.5%. By enhancing the procedure and changing important parameters, a high-purity CsCl enrichment solution with a purity of more than 99.9% could be achieved. After six months of technical innovation by the research team, the entrusted enterprise has confirmed and highly appreciated the main core technology of effective separation and extraction of low-grade Cs resources connected with lithium ores. By the end of 2022, the research team hopes to have made significant progress in the basic technology of effective separation and extraction of rubidium salt from the raffinate. The output of Rb is anticipated to be around 97%, and the resultant purity of Rb product to be around 99%. The extraction method for low-grade rubidium and cesium resources linked with lithium ores offers numerous advantages over other separation and extraction techniques, including high yield, high product purity, a simple process flow, low production costs, etc. This process technology has a wide range of application prospects.
　　
　　Scale-up test of the whole process of extraction and separation of cesium from lithium tailing liquid by ore extraction
　　Research team work site
　　

2022-10-17

Discussion on research status and prospect of the Khorat Plateau potash deposit on base of the metallogenic system theory

The metallogenic system theory regards ore deposit as a natural system of dynamic evolution. The overall evolution process of ore deposit from occurrence, formation to development and its control mechanism are the core of this theory. "Source, migration, storage, transformation, and protection" are the five basic points for this theory to analyze the genesis of ore deposit.
　　The metallogenic system theory regards ore deposit as a natural system of dynamic evolution. The overall evolution process of ore deposit from occurrence, formation to development and its control mechanism are the core of this theory. "Source, migration, storage, transformation, and protection" are the five basic points for this theory to analyze the genesis of ore deposit.
　　The super-huge potash deposit in the Khorat Plateau in Southeast Asia is a landmark successful case of China’s overseas potash fertilizer production base (Fig. 1). The systematic study of metallogenic mechanism is not only related to understanding of the genetic process of the deposit and its development and utilization, but also plays an important role in guiding the prospecting of potash in the eastern Tethys domain of our country.
　　Based on previous research and the metallogenic system theory, the study will sort out the research status of "source, migration, storage, transformation, and preservation" metallogenic factors of the Khorat Plateau potash deposit, and discuss its scientific problems in the time dimension. Moreover, the study will preliminarily put forward the research framework of the metallogenic system of solid and soluble potash deposit, in order to provide a certain reference for the in-depth research of global potash deposits (Fig. 2).
　　Detail Information: Zhanjie Qin, Qingkuan Li, Qin Yuan, Qiang Li, Haifang He, Yongsheng Du, Jianping Wang, Fashou Shan, Chaoping Xue, Discussion on research status and prospect of the Khorat Plateau potash deposit on base of the metallogenic system theory [J], Acta Geologica Sinica, DOI: 10.19762/j.cnki.dizhixuebao.2022232
　　
　　 Fig.1 Schematic map of location of potash deposit in the Khorat Plateau (a) and stratigraphic column of the Maha Sarakam Formation (b) (modified from Qin et al., 2020 )
　　
　　 Fig. 2 Schematic map of logical structure of potash deposit Metallogenic System
　　

2022-09-19

The second Qinghai-Tibet scientific expedition of ISL—the comprehensive scientific expedition of Tibet Salt Lakes successfully completed

On July 5th, the second Qinghai-Tibet Scientific Expedition—Tibet Salt Lake Scientific Expedition Team successfully completed the expedition mission and returned to Xining safely. The mission of the scientific expedition is the investigation and prospect evaluation of changes in salt lake resources.
　　On July 5th, the second Qinghai-Tibet Scientific Expedition—Tibet Salt Lake Scientific Expedition Team successfully completed the expedition mission and returned to Xining safely. The mission of the scientific expedition is the investigation and prospect evaluation of changes in salt lake resources.
　　The scientific expedition, led by researcher Shan Fashou and assistant researcher Li Qingkuan, lasted 73 days and covered nearly 20,000 kilometers. The team systematically inspected more than 50 salt lakes across the northern Tibetan Plateau, obtained detailed data on the water depth and lake basin topography of 24 major salt lakes, and collected more than 1,200 samples. It has laid a foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the current situation of salt lake resources in Tibet, a clear understanding of resource changes, and in-depth learning of the mineralization mechanism of salt lake resources.
　　The salt lake on the northern Tibetan plateau is rich in strategic resource elements such as K, Li, B, Rb, and Cs, with huge development potential and outstanding strategic significance. On the basis of summarizing the work of predecessors, the scientific research team carried out the systematic collection of samples of surrounding rocks, river water, lake water, and sediments of the typical salt lakes across the northern Tibetan Plateau, and conducted detailed investigations on local transportation, economic society, infrastructure, and development. For the 24 key salt lakes, relevant work has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of "Specifications for Mineral Geological Exploration - Salts".
　　 Lake sample collection
　　 Field test water sample parameters
　　 Take photos after the research work
　　

2022-08-15

Important progress made in the research on key technologies for recycling waste lithium-ion batteries by Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake

On June 14, the Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Province organized a scientific achievement evaluation meeting of the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake "Research on Key Technologies for Recycling Waste Lithium-ion Batteries".
　　On June 14, the Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Province organized a scientific achievement evaluation meeting of the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake "Research on Key Technologies for Recycling Waste Lithium-ion Batteries". The panel believes that the project has developed and applied clean and efficient technology for the recycling process of waste lithium batteries, and has achieved a number of innovative results, which generally reach the international advanced level. This means that important progress has been made in this field by the Institute.
　　Under the guidance of the "dual carbon" goal, the new energy industry has developed rapidly in China. In 2021, China sold 3.521 million pure electric vehicles, and it is predicted to exceed 5 million in 2022, with a market share of over 18%. (According to the China Automobile Association) The explosive growth of electric vehicle sales has driven the growth in demand for power lithium-ion batteries. It is estimated that the globally installed capacity of power lithium-ion batteries will reach 668GWh in 2022. However, China lacks strategic resources such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, and relies on imports heavily. Lithium-ion batteries will enter the phase-out cycle after 5 to 8 years of use, and are in urgent need of recycling. It is estimated that the waste lithium-ion batteries that need to be recycled will increase from 200,000 tons in 2020 to 3 million tons in 2030. At that time, the market is expected to exceed 150 billion yuan, which is a promising future. Therefore, how to achieve green and efficient recycling while avoiding secondary pollution is particularly critical.
　　Given the common problems of the lithium-ion battery recycling industry, such as the lack of special equipment, the lengthy recycling process, and the high emission intensity of the wastes, the team of researcher Wang Min of the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake has developed a precise classification and short-process regeneration technology of waste lithium-ion batteries according to the composition and structural characteristics of lithium-ion batteries. Since the implementation of the project, it has published 6 SCI papers, applied for 10 invention patents (7 patents authorized), and participated in the formulation of 8 standards about waste lithium-ion battery recycling, including 1 international standard, 2 industry standards, and 5 group standards. A 500-ton/year waste lithium-ion battery recycling pilot line has been established.
　　The research team applied the membrane separation technology to extract lithium from acid leaching solution, optimized the lithium extraction process, and the main content of the recovered lithium carbonate reached 99.69%. The ternary precursor is prepared and the cathode material is synthesized. After testing, its electrochemical performance is comparable to that of the pure new material, which greatly shortens the regeneration process and realizes green and efficient recycling.
　　The development of recycling technology for waste lithium batteries in this project is expected to solve the environmental pressure caused by a large number of waste lithium batteries. The green and environmentally friendly physical separation process is adopted to reduce the use of chemical reagents and avoid secondary pollution during the recycling process. It realizes the comprehensive recycling and utilization of valuable metals of waste batteries, maximizes the resource attributes of waste batteries, and is of great significance to the development of the circular economy.
　　

2022-07-21

Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake has Made Serial Progress in the study of lithium extraction by adsorption

Recently three important methods for extracting lithium from salt lakes—adsorption, membrane, and extraction methods—have been industrialized in Qinghai and Tibet.
　　Recently three important methods for extracting lithium from salt lakes—adsorption, membrane, and extraction methods—have been industrialized in Qinghai and Tibet. With the increasing demand for lithium resources in the industry, the advantages of adsorption methods in the treatment of low-grade lithium resources and front-end brine are becoming more and more obvious. However, due to the characteristics of different salt lake resources, the design of adsorbents and supporting processes are mainly suitable for chloride-type salt lakes. It is urgent to develop new adsorbents and corresponding processes to deal with the extraction of other types of salt lake resources and low-grade lithium resources.
　　After years of scientific research, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake has successfully prepared a series of lithium-ion adsorbents suitable for chloride-type, sulfate-type, and carbonate-type salt lakes through continuous optimization and upgrading. Through internal structure modification, surface structure modification, pore structure regulation, and other related work, the performance of the adsorbent has been comprehensively improved. Through different improved granulation methods such as extrusion, polymerization, and cross-linking, the hydrophilicity and the compressive strength of the adsorbent particles are improved. Finally, by use of the improved adsorbent particles, the adsorption tower and the corresponding process were developed and optimized, and the pilot experiment of the sulfate salt lake brine was completed. The patents of systemic technology have been formed, and the technical protection covers from the design, modification, and granulation of adsorbents, to the research of supporting equipment and the optimization of the process. The next step will be to actively cooperate with relevant enterprises to promote the transformation of results.
　　
　　 Optimization of internal structure and surface structure of lithium ion adsorbent particles
　　
　　 Mass preparation and pilot - scale process optimization of lithium ion adsorbent
　　

2022-07-21

Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake has Made Progress in the study of Lithium-rich Salt Lake in Tibet

Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is extremely rich with salt lake resources and it is famous for its strategic resources such as K, Li, Rb, Cs, and U. Based on the difference in resource demand in different periods
　　Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is extremely rich with salt lake resources and it is famous for its strategic resources such as K, Li, Rb, Cs, and U. Based on the difference in resource demand in different periods, the emphasis on the exploration and development of different elements in salt is changing. In the last century, sufficient research has been done on B resources in Tibetan salt lakes and K, B resources in Qaidam Basin. Relying on the K resources in the salt lake, the Qaidam Basin has become the most important production base of potash fertilizer in China, ensuring the security of agriculture of the country. In recent years, due to the importance of Li in the country’s new energy strategy, research and development of Li in salt lakes has attracted great attention. At the same time, more and more attention has been paid to the abundant Rb and Cs resources in the salt lake of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
　　Qinghai Institute of Salt Lake carried out a new round of scientific expedition to systematically inspect the Rb and Cs resources of more than 50 lithium-rich salt lakes in Tibet. The research has been carried out on Rb and Cs in the salt lakes of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Nanyishan oilfield water, salt lake potassium chloride products and lithium tail salt of lepidolite extraction, and the separation and extraction of Rb and Cs have been achieved to a certain extent. In the study of brine evaporation and Rb, Cs extraction from Lagocuo Salt Lake in Tibet, Rb and Cs can be concentrated from 10 mg·L-1 to 594 and 1068 mg·L-1, respectively. 45.7% of Rb and 99.5% of Cs in the concentrated solution were extracted by extraction method; 57.2% of cesium in the concentrated solution was extracted by one-time adsorption method.
　　The next step will be to carry out larger-scale sampling and analysis work to further clarify the spatial distribution characteristics of Rb and Cs in different types of brines, reveal the geochemical processes of migration, enrichment and transformation of Rb and Cs in salt lakes, and clarify the different mechanism between Rb and Cs. At the same time, strengthen the investigation of Rb and Cs resources in underground brine and deep hydrothermal fluids, and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the resource potential of these two elements. The Institute will also promote research on new technologies for Rb and Cs extracting from brine. By focusing on the coupling process of flotation, adsorption, extraction, and other methods, to achieve a Rb extraction rate of more than 70% in the concentrated solution, and obtain rubidium and cesium salt compounds with a purity of 90% in the aim of developing the comprehensive utilization process of Rb, Cs, and other elements, exploring the low-cost way to extract Rb and Cs, and accelerate their industrialization process.
　　
　　

2022-07-19

Phase diagrams of cryogenic brines determined by scientists in ISL promote human understanding on Martian perchlorate

The discovery of perchlorate (or more broadly oxychlorine species) is of great interest on the exploration of Mars. The strong hygroscopicity of perchlorate makes it possible to absorb water from extremely dry atmosphere and produce brines.
　　 The discovery of perchlorate (or more broadly oxychlorine species) is of great interest on the exploration of Mars. The strong hygroscopicity of perchlorate makes it possible to absorb water from extremely dry atmosphere and produce brines. The very low freezing point of these perchlorate brines (< -70 ℃) allows the presence of liquid water on modern Martian surface. Accordingly, perchlorates are seen as the most important salts controlling the properties of martian liquid water, which are of vital importance for understanding the habitability, bioavailability and bio-matter detection. In 2009, the Phoenix Lander launched by the US first detected high levels of perchlorate (ClO4-; 0.62–0.67 wt%) and high ClO4-/Cl- ratios of 6.13 in three topsoil samples from the Mars arctic region (68.2188°N, 125.7492°W). Subsequent in situ investigations at other landing sites further highlighted the uniqueness of the Phoenix soils, and how the high ClO4- and particularly high ClO4-/Cl- ratios in the topsoil of Phoenix occurred is still a mystery.
　　 To figure out the mystery, scientists in the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, CAS promoted a project on the cryogenic phase diagrams of Martian chlorine (perchlorate and chloride) brine, and collaborated with planetary scientists from Center for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, CAS, Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, OMP-CNRS-UPS, and Institute of Space Sciences, Shandong University. Recently, their advances have been published on Communications Earth & Environment entitled “Cryogenic origin of fractionation between perchlorate and chloride under modern martian climate” (https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-022-00345-5). The story BEHIND THE PAPER can be found at Nature Portfolio Chemistry Community. The work highlights the unique environment of the modern Martian arctic region, and suggested that cryogenic brine phase diagrams are essential knowledge for constraining the aqueous activities on Mars. For Mars, the study indicated that the high ClO4-/Cl- ratios found in Phoenix soil are not universal on Mars, and chloride salts should be the major and primary phase of total chlorine. Moreover, a high ClO4-/Cl- signature may be used to indicate deliquescence processes in cold and arid environments on Mars.
　　Fig. 1. Deliquescence phase diagrams of mixed hydrated Mg- and Ca- perchlorate/ chloride salt mixtures.
　　Fig. 2. Global distribution of the fractional duration in a Martian year of RH-T conditions leading to the formation of ClO4-/Cl- > 0.2 during deliquescence on the surface of modern Mars.

2022-02-25

ISL published the results of the second Qinghai-Tibet scientific expedition in the Journal of Hydrology for the first time

　　Recently, the top international hydrology journal "Journal of Hydrology" published an online article titled "Deep hydrothermal and shallow groundwater borne lithium and boron loadings to a mega brine lake in Qinghai Tibet Plateau based on multi-tracer models". Associate Professor Kong Fancui, Professor Wang Jianping of Qinghai Salt Lake Institute, and Associate Professor Luo Xin from the University of Hong Kong are the co-corresponding author of this achievement, and ISL is the first author of the paper.
　　"Journal of Hydrology" is a well-known journal in the field of international water resources research. It is one of the oldest and most influential international journals in the field of hydrology. It is highly valued by scientists in hydrology and related fields in various countries. The journal focuses on all sub-disciplines of water resources research, including physics, chemistry, biogeochemistry, surface and ground hydrogeography, hydrometeorology, hydrogeology and other related disciplines. It is now the Top of JCR Q1 District, with IF=4.5 in 2019.
　　This research result is the first important achievement of the second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Comprehensive Scientific Investigation Project (No 2019QZKK0805) undertaken by ISL in 2019, focusing on the hydrological cycle and resource element tracing and quantification of the salt lake in the Qaidam Basin. The Dachaidan Salt Lake is located in the northern part of the Qaidam Basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The content of boron and lithium resources ranks first among all salt lakes in the Qaidam Basin. Lithium and boron in Dachaidan Salt Lake are believed to be mainly derived from surface water and groundwater, but the discharge flux of deep hydrothermal fluid and shallow groundwater and the carried boron-lithium flux are still unknown. This research is the first attempt to establish a multi-tracer model coupled with a radium isotope mass balance model to quantify the discharge flux of deep hydrothermal fluid and shallow groundwater around Dachaidan Lake and the carried boron-lithium flux. It is found that the contribution of deep hydrothermal fluid to the groundwater of Dachaidan Lake is less than 12%, but the contributions of boron and lithium have reached 60% and 70% of the total contribution, respectively. The research helps to understand the balance of lithium and boron in the salt lakes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This achievement was also funded by projects such as the Youth Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41702268).
　　Full text link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126313
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2021-05-12

The related equipment of a typical salt lake multi-source information observation platform on the northern margin of Qaidam has been erected by ISL

　　Recently, the Salt Lake Geology and Environment Laboratory has completed the installation and commissioning of related observation equipment. The undertaking projects are the Second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Comprehensive Scientific Investigation Salt Lake Special Project (2019QZKK0805) and the Qinghai Province Innovation Platform Construction Special Project "Typical Salt Lake Expansion on the Northern Margin of Qaidam-Spill Early Warning Assessment and Multi-source Information on the Impact of Potassium, Boron, Lithium, Beryllium Resources Platform construction".
　　In order to observe and analyze the water level rise of typical salt lakes in the northern margin of Qaidam and the changes of resource elements, the changes of lake water level and the response of the ecological environment in detail, four lakes including Tuosu Lake, Koluk Lake, Xiaochaidan Lake and Sugan Lake were observed for meteorological and water levels. In addition, multiple related factors such as wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, evaporation, temperature, lake water level, and monthly-scale salt lake resource element changes in the lake area have been observed and analyzed indoors. These observational data will provide scientific basis for production safety, infrastructure protection and other aspects.
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　　Meteorological Observatory
　　
　　
　　
　　
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2021-04-10