Objective The discovery of lithium-mineralized bodies in multiple layers in the Permian to the Jurassic at the northern margin of the Yangtze Block is of great significance to the investigation, development and utilization of sedimentary lithium resources. This study aims to ascertain the nature and tectonic setting of the parent rocks in the source area of the lithium-bearing (lithium-rich) fine clastic rocks of the Jurassic Baitianba Formation, and to preliminarily discuss the influence of paleoenvironmental conditions on lithium enrichment. Methods Detailed petrological investigations were conducted on the typical lithologies within the formation, along with elemental geochemical analyses focusing on the lithium-bearing (lithium-enriched) fine clastic rocks. Results The oxide discriminant function graph of the main elements and the LaN/YbN-ΣREE, K2O-Rb and La/Th-Hf diagrams indicate a mixed provenance of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The oxide discriminant function graph of the main elements, together with La-Th, Ti/Zr-La/Sc, La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Th-Co-Zr/10 diagrams, show that the tectonic background of the sedimentary period was an active continental margin, and some source rocks were formed in a continental island arc environment. Lithium probably originated from arc magma material. Ga, Sr/Ba, Sr/Cu, C, CIA, U/Th, Ni/Co and other paleoenvironmental indicators indicate that the lithium-bearing rocks were deposited in a weakly oxidizing freshwater environment in a warm, humid climate. The A-CN-K and Th/Sc-Zr/Sc diagrams show that the parent rocks underwent moderate to intense weathering when the debris was first deposited. Conclusions The comprehensive study found that lithium enrichment was only superficially influenced by ancient salinity and ancient reduction-oxidation conditions. Rather, the warm humid climate was conducive to the formation of clay minerals, which increased the clay-mineral content of Li-bearing (Li-rich) fine clastic rocks and determined the extent of lithium enrichment.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |