How do cold climate and low lithium content in surrounding rocks limit the lithium potential of Urmia Lake, NW Iran, compared to other brine lakes?

抄録

Urmia Lake, situated in northwest Iran, is recognized as the world’s second-largest hypersaline lake. Based on the significance of lithium (Li) as a new energy source, pure salt and sediment in Urmia Lake are investigated for the potential of lithium. A wide number of samples were collected from the sediments and pure salt deposits in various areas of this lake. Chemical analysis of the collected samples reveals Li concentrations ranging from 10.5 to 45.1 ppm, with an average of 33.3 ppm. Climate proxies such as the Sr/Cu versus Ga/Rb plot indicate that the region's cold and arid climate has played a crucial role in preserving lithium within the sediments, like by limiting weathering and leaching processes. The Sr/Ba ratios in the sediments, ranging from 0.447 to 7.39, indicate that these sediments were precipitated from saline water. Furthermore, the La/Sc versus Co/Th plot points to felsic volcanic and intrusive rocks as the primary sources of the sediments in Urmia Lake. The low lithium amount in the Urmia Lake sediments is strongly related to the lower Li content in the surrounding rocks and the cold climate condition.