MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Beijing, 100037, China.
China University of Geosciences(Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 8;11(1):3351. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82958-y.
The Quaternary Lop Nor playa is the largest production base of potassium sulfate in the world. It has a mining history of more than 10 years, and its share in the Chinese potassium sulfate market is about 50% to-date. In this basin, the high-salinity potassium-rich brines are mainly contained in Middle Pleistocene-Holocene glauberite strata. Based on the monitoring of the underground brine table and geochemical analysis, this study reveals variations in the underground brine table and potassium-bearing grade before and after large-scale mining in the Lop Nor potash deposit. The results showed that the underground brine table and potassium sulfate grade decreased by varying degrees over sub-mineral areas after large-scale mining. The underground brine table declined by 8.5 m, on average, in the Luobei depression, by 6.4 m in the Tenglong platform and by 1.9 m in the Xinqing platform. However, the potassium-bearing grade showed the different trend. The Tenglong platform had the largest decline with average decreases in layers W, W and W of 18.2%, 13.0% and 24.8%, respectively. In the Xinqing platform, the average decrease in layersW and W were 17.4% and 16.0% respectively. The Luobei depression decreases were relatively small (W, W and W decreased 4.3%, 4.2% and 3.1%, respectively). This research provides a theoretical basis for the rational development and sustainable use of the potassium-rich brines in the Lop Nor basin.
第四纪罗布泊盐湖是世界上最大的硫酸钾生产基地，开采历史已有 10 多年，目前在中国硫酸钾市场的份额约为 50%。该盆地的高盐富钾卤水主要赋存于中更新世-全新世光卤石地层中。本研究通过地下卤水水位监测和地球化学分析，揭示了罗布泊钾盐矿床大规模开采前后地下卤水水位和含钾品位的变化。结果表明，大规模开采后，矿区周围的亚矿区地下卤水水位和硫酸钾品位均有不同程度的降低。罗布泊凹陷区地下卤水水位平均下降 8.5m，腾龙台地下降 6.4m，新青台地下降 1.9m。然而，含钾品位则呈现出不同的趋势。腾龙台地的降幅最大，W、W 和 W 层的平均降幅分别为 18.2%、13.0%和 24.8%。在新青台地，W 和 W 层的平均降幅分别为 17.4%和 16.0%。而罗布泊凹陷区的降幅相对较小（W、W 和 W 层分别下降 4.3%、4.2%和 3.1%）。本研究为合理开发和可持续利用罗布泊盆地富钾卤水提供了理论依据。
