Economic Values of Lake Study in Mongolia

Abstract

AbstractThe study of minerals in bottom sediments within the presently live and playa lakes is highly needed to discover sources of ore deposits which can support the economy of Mongolia. Moreover, brine resources in lakes (e.g., halite, thenardite) provide one of the economic strategic resources of the country. In particular, lakes in eastern, western, and central Mongolia have the great potential to develop brine industries in the nation. Lakes in eastern Mongolia provide 39.1% of the total thenardite deposits in Mongolia, whereas lakes in central Mongolia provide 10.9% of the same. Lake Gurvan Tes in southern Mongolia contains the most abundant food salt resource in Mongolia, while Lake Khar in central Mongolia provides the second most abundant. In western Mongolia, lakes in the Great Lakes Depression contain three types of brines and occupy 4.3% of the total thenardite deposits in Mongolia, and they have abundant uranium resources in their bottom sediments. In northern Mongolia, Lake Zeg alone provides 2.2% of the total thenardite deposits in Mongolia. Playa lakes in eastern, southern, and central Mongolia, increasing in number due to the rising air temperature and fluctuating precipitation during the last half century, display abundant halite, thenardite, and soda on their surfaces. Quantitative and qualitative sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical investigations from lakes of Mongolia could provide valuable information on minerals and associated rare earth elements in the lake sediments.KeywordsLakesBrinesSaltsMineralsEconomyMongolia