Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41202036›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Characteristic and resource potential of water soluble lithium in lithium-rich salt lake sediments from Qaidam Basin, China.

Zhe Ma, Xiuzhen Ma, Dan Ma, Yubin Li, Xin Liu, Guojing Zhu, Qi Wei, Yunqi Ma, Syed Hussain Asim, Lu Cong

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Zhe MaKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8393-7374
Xiuzhen MaKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Dan MaXining Center of Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey, China Geological Survey, Xining, China.
Yubin LiKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Xin LiuKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Guojing ZhuKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Qi WeiKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Yunqi MaKey Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China.
Syed Hussain AsimConstruction Materials Testing Laboratory, Public Works Department, Gilgit, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8643-0532
Lu CongChengdu Academy of Educational Sciences (Chengdu Research Office of Basic Education), Chengdu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study investigates geochemical characteristics and resource potential of water-soluble lithium in lithium-rich salt lake sediments from the Qaidam Basin, focusing on the East Taijinar Salt Lake and Bieletan area. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis (ICP-OES), and laser particle size analysis (LPSA), sediment samples were analyzed to assess mineral composition, lithium distribution and its occurrence forms. Results reveal distinct vertical zonation: lithium, boron, and potassium peak in clay-rich layers, contrasting with lower concentrations in halite-dominated layers. Regional patterns indicate that lithium enrichment in sediments aligns closely with brine, centered around Yiliping and East/West Taijinar Salt Lakes. Water-soluble lithium primarily originates from weak adsorption on clay minerals, with secondary contributions from intercrystalline brine, halite fluid inclusions, and gypsum dissolution. The clay layers exhibit lithium concentrations exceeding industrial grade and favorable Mg/Li ratios, comparable to brine mining standards. Co-enrichment of boron (415 ppm) and potassium highlights multi-resource potential. These findings highlight sediments as lithium reservoirs, which can serve as a sustainable potential supplement during brine depletion and enhance resource resilience in the Qaidam Basin. This study provides critical insights into lithium migration, enrichment mechanisms, and strategic resource management in evaporitic systems.

Indexed as

Geologic SedimentsLakesLithiumChinaSaltsSolubilityWaterX-Ray DiffractionbrineLithiumSaltsWater

Identifiers

PMID41202036
PMCPMC12594433

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.