Geochemica l and geobotanical sampling of 20 hydro logica lly closed and open basins in the southern part of the Basin and Range province shows contrasting lithium conten ts of their sediments, vegetation, and natural waters. These findings have significant economic a nd environmental implications. In hydrologically closed basins, where groundwater discharge is mainly by evapotranspiration, economic concentrations of lithium are o f three types-as lithium chloride in evaporites and brines, in th e crystal lattice of montmorillonitic clays, and in carbonate precipitates in hot-spring and lacustrine deposits. Along with potassium, boron, and halite, lithium compounds are precipitated at a la te stage of evaporation. Sediments collected from low areas of closed basins contain 30-1,500 ppm lithium, whereas sediments from open, drained basins contain 20-150 ppm lithium.
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Cannon et al. (1975) studied this question.