Abstract
The variations in the isotopic compositions of chlorine in evaporation-controlled saline lake brines were determined by using an improved procedure for precise measurement of chlorine isotopes based on Cs2Cl+ ion by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The results showed that variation in δ37 Cl values in these evaporation-controlled brines are attributable to evaporation of brine accompanied by the deposition of saline minerals. The isotopic fractionation of chlorine between the deposited saline mineral and the co-existing brine caused the variation of δ37 Cl values in the brine. In general the isotopic fractionation of chlorine in nature indicates enrichment of37Cl in the solid phase relative to35Cl. The reverse isotopic fractionation of chlorine in which35Cl is enriched in the solid phase, was observed to some extent during quick deposition under laboratory conditions as well as in nature. The mechanism of isotopic fractionation of chlorine during evaporation deposition was studied.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Cheng, K. Z., 1991. Salt lakes and eolianites in the Qaidam Basin. Press of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, p. 2.
Desaulniers, D. D., Kaufmann, R. S., Cherry, J. A. et al., 1986.37Cl−35Cl variations in a diffusion controlled groundwater system.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 50: 1757–1764.
Eggenkamp, H. G. M., 1995. Chlorine stable isotope fractionation in evaporites.Geochim. Cosmocim. Acta 59: 5169–5175.
Eastoe, C. J., Guilbert, J. M., 1992. Stable chlorine isotopes in hydrothermal processes.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56: 4247–4255.
Eastoe, C. J., Guilbert, J. M., Kaufmann, R. S., 1989. Preliminary evidence for the fractionation of stable chlorine isotopes in ore forming hydrothermal systems.Geology 17: 285–288.
Hoering, T. C., Parker, P. L., 1961. The geochemistry of the stable isotopes of chlorine.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 23: 186–199.
Kaufmann, R., Long, A., Campbell, D. J., 1988. Chlorine isotope distribution in formation waters, Texas and Louisiana.Geologic Note 72: 839–844.
Magenheim, A. J., Spivack, A. J., Vople, C. et al., 1994. Precise datermination of stable chlorine isotopic ratios in low-concentration natural samples.Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta. 58: 3117–3121.
Owen, H. R., Schaefler, O. A., 1955. The isotope abundances of chlorine from various sources.J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 77: 898–899.
Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Academia Sinica, 1988. The analytical method for brine and salt. Science Press, Beijing, p. 64–67. (in Chinese)
Vengosh, A., Chivas, A., McCulloch, M. T., 1989. Direct determination of boron and chlorine isotopic compositions in geological materials by negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry.Chem. Geology 79: 333–343.
Xiao, Y. K., Zhang, C. G., 1992. High precision isotopic measurement of chlorine by thermal ionization mass spectrometry of Cs2Cl+ ion.Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc 116: 183–192.
Xiao, Y. K., Liu, W. G., Zhang, C. G., 1994a. The preliminary investigations of chlorine isotopic fractionation during the crystallization of saline minerals in salt lake.J. Salt Lake Sci. 2: 35–40. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Xiao, Y. K., Jin, L., Liu, W. G. et al., 1994b. The isotopic compositions of chlorine in Da Qaidam Lake.Chinese Sci. Bull. 39: 1319–1322. (in Chinese)
Xiao, Y. K., Zhou, Y. M., Liu W. G., 1995. Precision measurement of chlorine isotopes based on Cs2Cl+ by thermal ionization mass spectrometry.Anal. Lett. 28: 1295–1304.
Zhang, P. X., 1987. The salt lakes in Qaidam Basin. Science Press, Beijing, p. 77–80. (in Chinese)
Zhang, W. M., 1983. The application of stable nuclide. Science Press. Beijing, p. 10–15. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Project 49173163 supported by NSFC.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ying-kai, X., Wei-guo, L., Yin-min, Z. et al. Variations in isotopic compositions of chlorine in evaporation-controlled salt lake brines of Qaidam Basin, China. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 18, 169–177 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02842577
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02842577