A Characterization of the Hydrochemistry and Main Controlling Factors of Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert, China

In the Badain Jaran Desert, China, lakes exhibit diverse hydrochemical profiles—ranging from freshwater to saline—despite uniform arid conditions. A study analyzing 80 lakes revealed that water chemistry transitions from sulfate-chloride-bicarbonate type in the southeast (freshwater) to sulfate-chloride type in the northwest (saline), driven primarily by evaporation-crystallization processes. Freshwater and slightly brackish lakes cluster near the Yabulai Mountains, while saline lakes dominate the desert hinterland, with ion concentrations increasing toward lower altitudes. The research used statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and hydrogeochemical methods to characterize these patterns, highlighting the dominant role of evaporation in shaping lake chemistry and forming extensive mineral deposits.

Jia, B., Si, J., Xi, H., & Qin, J. (2021). A Characterization of the Hydrochemistry and Main Controlling Factors of Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert, China. Water, 13(20), 2931. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13202931