Dissolved Rare Earth Elements of Different Waters in Qaidam Basin, Northwestern China
Abstract REEs (rare trace elements) are potential tracer for evolution of water system. In this study, dissolved REEs of different waters (salt lake water, intercrystalline brine, surface water and groundwater in Golmud River) from Qaidam Basin were investigated. The results show that ∑REE in different water samples are very inhomogeneous and consistent with TDS very well, which suggest REEs have a same main source with other major ions in these waters. Most samples are characterized by flat REE patterns (slightly enriched in heavy REEs) and obvious Eu positive anomaly. Eu-anomalies in aqueous inherit the characteristic of host rock, indicates that dissolution of host rock is main material source for basin. While Ce anomalies reflect source difference and processes that occurred during transport of water.