The Forming Age and the Evolution Process of the Brine Lithium Deposits in the Qaidam Basin Based on Geochronology and Mineral Composition

Lithium ore deposits are divided into pegmatite and brine deposits. The Puna Plateau the Qinghai–Tibetan (QTP) home to most abundant lithium worldwide. Very few studies have investigated chronology of This paper reports Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating measurements for typical at QTP, including East Taijnar Salt Lake, West Yiliping Lake in central Qaidam Basin. Combining results OSL with previous mineral composition obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), this study summarizes age characteristics climatic environment during formation main are: 1) Brine Basin began form since 40 ka. South America formed middle Pleistocene late Pleistocene, older than Tibet around 4 ka, youngest. 2) climate was extremely cold dry 27–4.6 a relatively humid condition ∼10 After 4.6 comparatively more both lakes. had 38.09 Three Lakes area is mainly controlled westerlies Holocene; 3) were located same secondary basin Pleistocene. However, tectonic activity ka led evolution an independent basin. separated 27 then deposited lower salt layers until Holocene. substantial amount detrital minerals that Nalinggele River brought Holocene brief desalination Lake. upper layer period due climate.