Hydrochemistry of the Gasikule Salt Lake,Western Qaidam Basin of China

The Qaidam Basin is a large intermontane depression in Qinghai Province,China,which located on the northern margin of the Tibet plateau,and surrounded by the Qilian,Kunlun and Aljun mountains which rise to more than 5000m.Some 27 salt lakes occur within the basin,occupying an area of approximately 1500 km2.Additionally,there are extensive areas of dry playas.Together,the playas and salt lakes cover about one quarter of the total basin area.Whereas the western