Origin of Boron in the Gas Hure Salt Lake of Northwestern Qaidam Basin,China:Evidence from Hydrochemistry and Boron Isotopes

摘要

The Gas Hure Salt Lake(GHSL) in the northwestern Qaidam Basin, western China, is rich in boron(B) resources, but its B-resource origin is hardly known. Hydrochemical compositions and B isotope characteristics of different waters were collected around the GHSL, including the river water, stream water, spring water, salt-lake brine, intercrystalline brine, well water, drilling brine, and solar pond brine. The hydrochemical signatures suggest that silicates, carbonates and evaporates are the main B-bearing rocks during the water dynamic. The reservoir estimation of B resources shows that the Kulamulekesay River(KLMR) and the Atekan River(ATKR) contribute annually 18.3 tons and 22.84 tons of B, respectively, with a total amount of 11.72 × 10^(4) tons of B during the past 5.7 ka. In comparison with the known B reservoir(32.96 × 10^(4) tons) in the GHSL, a significant amount of B in the GHSL was probably recharged from deep fluids and sediments around the GHSL. The B concentration and B-enrichment degree are shaped by the evaporation process, which are highly elevated at the carnallite and bischofite stages.