Sources and a proposal for comprehensive exploitation of lithium brine deposits in the Qaidam Basin on the northern Tibetan Plateau, China: Evidence from Li isotopes

A thorough understanding of the origin and distribution of lithium brine deposits is the foundation for lithium resource exploration, development and utilization. The lithium isotope system, a sensitive geochemical tracer, can be used to track a wide range of geological processes and sources. This study investigates major cations, [Li], and δ7Li of samples (brine lakes, intercrystalline brines, river waters, rain, hot spring waters, spring...