Volcanic rocks in the vicinity of Salar de Atacama ; Origin of brine with high Li content.

Abstract

 Salar de Atacama is one of the largest salt lakes in the world. This salar contains a high concentration of lithium in the brine covered with salt crust. According to the model of Salar, precipitation and snowmelt from the hinterland is mainly supplied to the salar.
 In order to understand the component of water supplied to the salar, geological and petrographical studies were carried out on volcanic rocks that appear in the vicinity of the salar. Petrochemical study revealed that lithium contents of these rocks are variable. We will discuss about origin of lithium in the brine.