GEOCHEMICAL TENDENCIES OF LITHIUM CONCENTRATION IN THE EARTHS CRUST AND ABOVE ITS GROUND SURFACE

A. G. Vladimirov, V. E. Zagorskiy, S. L. Shvartsev, V. P. Isupov, S. Z. Smirnov, S. V. Alekseev, L. P. Alekseeva, N. I. Volkova, I. F. Gertner, V. M. Makagon, L. G. Kyznetsova, I. U. Annikova, M. N. Kolpakova, E. I. Mikheev, P. D. Kotler, O. A. Gavryushkina

The article examines the behavior of one of the technologically most important trace elements (lithium) in natural systems: granitic pegmatite, subsurface brines and salars. Major lithium sources are spodumene pegmatites and natural brine of salt lakes. This article is a brief overview of the latest data on Siberia and other world regions, including authors data. They are characterized by geological and structural position of major fields of spodumene-pegmatite deposits, underground lithium brines, and salt lakes (salars) showing commercial concentrations of lithium and are related to rare elements (in spodumene pegmatites - Ta, Nb, Rb, Cs, in hydromineral sources - B, Br, U, As, etc.). The main attention is paid to the correlative links analysis of geological complexes (formations) and geodynamic settings of their formation. It is concluded that the formation dynamics of lithium giant deposits is likely caused by two factors: 1) concentration of Li2O in raremetal granitic pegmatite melts and metasomatites in deep crustal levels; 2) influx of mantle Li2O consisting of contrast subalkalic ore-magmatic systems (through hydrothermas and travertines to the ground surface).

Key words: lithium, geochemistry of magmatic rocks, deposits of spodumene pegmatites, underground brines, natural brine of salt lakes, geodynamics, hydrogeochemistry.

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