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Article Dans Une Revue Chemical Geology Année : 2023

Lithium enrichment processes in sedimentary formation waters

Elza J.M. Dugamin
  • Fonction : Auteur
Michel Cathelineau
Antonin Richard
  • Fonction : Auteur
Frank Despinois
  • Fonction : Auteur

Résumé

Reservoirs exploited for oil, gas, or geothermal energy in sedimentary basins may represent an alternative lithium resource to salars and hard rocks. Similarities in the geochemical characteristics of the basins were searched using a database of 2400 water analyses available from more than 40 sedimentary basins worldwide, notably a selection of representative geochemical trends on 13 basins. The objective was to understand better the factors controlling Li concentrations and the potentiality of such basins for the Li-recovery. Considering Lisingle bondCl and Mgsingle bondCl relationships, major cation (Na/K, Na/Ca) and halogen (Cl/Br) ratios, Li concentrations are monitored in several basins by mixing processes between low salinity recharge waters, seawater and brines. Lithium concentrations span three orders of magnitude in brines between evaporated seawater that has passed saturation with halite and a particularly Li-enriched pole. In the latter, significant Li-enrichment is obtained when brines are primary, in equilibrium with halite, and then enriched in Li through fluid-rock interaction processes. Li-rich lithologies such as volcanic rocks, Li-enriched clay formations, or Li-phyllosilicates dispersed in siliciclastic rocks or the underlying crystalline basement probably act as the primary Li sources. Finally, Li extraction is promoted by the rise in temperature, which explains the high Li concentrations in the waters of geothermal systems. Therefore, favourable reservoirs for Li-rich brines are characterised by a brine collection from evaporites during tectonic events, such as compressive events or salt tectonics, at a relatively short distance from the present reservoir. They must be preserved from convection and surface water ingress via recharge zones to prevent dilution and Li depletion.
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Dates et versions

hal-04272518 , version 1 (06-11-2023)

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Elza J.M. Dugamin, Michel Cathelineau, Marie-Christine Boiron, Antonin Richard, Frank Despinois. Lithium enrichment processes in sedimentary formation waters. Chemical Geology, 2023, 635, pp.121626. ⟨10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121626⟩. ⟨hal-04272518⟩
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