Understanding the spatial variation in lithium concentration of high Andean Salars using diagnostic factors

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The mean evaporation rate for Salar de Uyuni is approximately 850 mm/annum but increases to the south to approximately 1200 mm/annum.

“The mean evaporation rate for Salar de Uyuni is approximately 850 mm/annum but increases to the south to approximately 1200 mm/annum (see Fig. 1c).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Salar de Atacama and Salar de Punta Negro are located within the area of highest evaporation rate in the western side of the Andes (>1300 mm/annum), which coincides with the very low rainfall rate in the eastern part of the study area.

“Salar de Atacama and Salar de Punta Negro are located within the area of highest evaporation rate in the western side of the Andes (>1300 mm/annum), which coincides with the very low rainfall rate in eastern part of the study area (Fig. 1c).”

May combine two claims.

Salars de Ascotan and Arizaro have similar Li/basin-area factors (0.0026 and 0.0028), implying similar lithium evolution environment with respect to basin area.

“Salars de Ascotan and Arizaro have similar Li/basin-area factors0.0026and 0.0028, respectively, which imply that lithium concentration proportion to basin area is in context in both salars.In other words, both could have a similar lithium evolution environment with respect to basin area”

May combine two claims.

Regional lithium concentration varies between 16 mg/l in Salar de Coposa and 1000 mg/l in Salar de Atacama, with mean approximately 336 mg/l and standard deviation 238 mg/l.

“Regional lithium concentration varies between 16 mg/l in Salar de Coposa, and 1000 mg/l in Salar de Atacama, with mean of approximately 336 mg/l and standard deviation of 238 mg/l.”

May combine two claims.

TDS ranges from 20 g/l in Salar de Coposa to 247 g/l in Salar de Rio Grande, with mean 119 g/l and standard deviation 69 g/l; 12 salars have TDS <100 g/l, 13 have 100-200 g/l, and 5 have >200 g/l.

“It ranged from 20 g/l in Salar de Coposa, to 247 g/l in Salar de Rio Grande with mean and standard deviation about 119 and 69 g/l, respectively, in which 12 salars with TDS < 100 g/l, and 13 in range of 100-200 g/l, while only 5 salars exhibit TDS > 200 g/l.”

May combine two claims.

There is a limited single correlation between ground elevation and lithium concentration, with possible multilinear discrete relationships.

“There is a limited single correlation against lithium concentration, with possible multilinear discrete relationships.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Limited core correlation exists between precipitation and lithium concentration, with possible discrete linear radial relationships from origin.

“As for ground elevation, limited core correlation exists, with possible some discrete linear radial relationships from origin.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

There is a possible inverse relationship between precipitation and lithium concentration (Li proportional 1/p), as salars with high lithium concentration are located in a low precipitation zone, such as Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, and Uyuni.

“possibility of an inverse relationship (Li proportional 1/p), as salars with high lithium concentration are located in a low precipitation zone, such as Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, and Uyuni.”

May combine two claims.

Atacama is an outlier with the lowest elevation and the highest lithium concentration.

“Clearly, Atacama is an outlier with the lowest elevation and the highest lithium concentration.”

May combine two claims.

Multivariable sensitivity analysis of Regional Factors shows Salar de Atacama has its own major cluster using Nearest, Furthest, and Average linkage, and a separate sub-cluster in Ward.

“Multivariable sensitivity analysis of Regional Factors shows Salar de Atacama has its own, major cluster using Nearest, Furthest, and Average linkage, and a separate sub-cluster in Ward, as shown in Fig. S2 in Supplementary data.”

May combine two claims.

Uyuni, Atacama, and Coipasa are significant outliers; Lake Poopo and Salar de Arizaro are just away from core correlation trend in salt pan area vs Li.

“but with three significant outliers: Uyuni, Atacama and Coipasa, and with Lake Poopo and Salar de Arizaro just away from core correlation trend.”

May combine two claims.

Ground elevation, precipitation, evaporation, and TDS cannot be related to lithium concentration.

“In particular ground elevation, precipitation, evaporation, and TDS, cannot be related.”

May combine two claims.

Moderate correlations (0.3 < r ≤ 0.5) are identified for Li/TDS with Elevation, Precipitation, and Evaporation; and Li/Volcanic rock with Pan-area and Evaporation.

“Moderate correlations (r∈ (0.3,0.5]) of: TDS (Li TDS ) with Elevation, Precipitation, and Evaporation; and Volcanic rock with Pan-area and Evaporation recognized”

May combine two claims.

Local factors group basin characteristics: Pan-salt area, Basin area, Geology, Land Cover, expressing similarities in lithium evolution environment at a local scale, that may fully or partially participate or affect lithium concentration evolution.

“On the other hand, Local factors grouped basin's characteristics of Pan-salt area (Li P-area ), Basin area (Li B-area ), Geology (Li Geo ), and Land Cover area (Li LC ), as in Fig. 2(a), (c), and (d) respectively, expressing similarities in lithium evolution environment at a local scale, that may fully or partially participate or effect lithium concentration evolution.”

May combine two claims.

Salar de Incagausi moved from cluster No.1 to No.2 in Average linkage, and returns to No.1 in Ward.

“Salar de Incagausi moved from cluster No.1 to No.2 in Average linkage, and then returns back to No.1 in Ward.”

May combine two claims.

Large salars coincide in one cluster (No.1), but some small salars are located within the same cluster, possibly due to their maturity in lithium evolution.

“Noticeably, large salars coincide in one cluster (No.1), however some small salars located within the same cluster which may be due to their maturity in terms of lithium evolution.”

May combine two claims.

Evaporation correlation slightly improved from r = 0.40 to 0.41, but outliers exposed clearly.

“Evaporation slightly improved, r = 0.40 to 0.41, but outliers exposed clearly (compare with Fig. 4(a))”

May combine two claims.

Evaporation is highly correlated to elevation, but rainfall isn't linked as well.

“This means that whilst evaporation is highly correlated to elevation, rainfall isn't linked as well.”

May combine two claims.

The correlation for Aguilar, Negro Francisco, and Carcote is noticeably reduced in all cases in Fig. 7, having small size and high lithium concentration.

“However, the correlation for Aguilar, Negro Francisco, and Carcote is noticeably reduced in all cases in Fig. 7 having small size and high lithium concentration.”

May combine two claims.

Core correlation and parameter significance are evident for salt pan area.

“Here, core correlation and parameter significance are evident.”

May combine two claims.

From 28 possible correlations, thirteen significant correlations are identified: eight high and five moderate.

“From 28 possible correlations, thirteen significant correlations are identified, as Eight ∈ high and Five ∈ moderate.”

May combine two claims.

Limited core correlation between evaporation and Li, with possibility of different linear relationships.

“Again, limited core correlation with possibility of different linear relationships.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The majority of the outcrop of these geological units covers the northern, central-eastern and western parts of the area.

“The majority of the outcrop of these geological units covers the northern, central-eastern and western parts for the area.”

May combine two claims.

Removing Atacama from Precipitation vs Evaporation allows greater detail; cluster C covers only Hombre Muerto, Laguna Blanca, and Coipasa, with Olaroz-Cauchari and Los Pozuelos as outliers.

“Precipitation vs Evaporation -removing Atacama allows greater detail to be identified as in (j), just C covered only Hombre Muerto, Laguna Blanca, and Coipasa and with Olaroz-Cauchari and Los Pozuelos as outliers.”

May combine two claims.

Laguna de los Pozuelos found as outlier in both methods; others (Olaroz-Cauchari, la Isla, Huasco, Negro Francisco, Aguilar) possibly in grey area or cliff edge of cluster zones.

“Laguna de los Pozuelos found as outlier in both methods, others (i.e., Olaroz-Cauchari, la Isla, Huasco, Negro Francisco, and Aguilar) possibly being in grey area or cliff edge of cluster zones.”

May combine two claims.

General regional patterns are much harder to discern than lithium concentration itself, as distribution is heavily dominated by Salar de Atacama (13.1), most remaining values are 2 or less.

“The general regional patterns (Fig. 6b) are much harder to discern than for the lithium concentration itself as the distribution is heavily dominated by the Salar de Atacama (SdA) (13.1), most of the remaining values are 2 or less.”

May combine two claims.

Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari, Atacama, and Uyuni have high lithium concentration and evaporation rate; only Atacama and Uyuni stand out in Fig. 7(b) as they have larger sizes and extra potential lithium sources.

“For the case of Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari, which in common with Atacama and Uyuni in having high lithium concentration and evaporation rate, only the last two stands out in Fig. 7 (b), as they have larger sizes and extra potential lithium sources.”

May combine two claims.

Removing Atacama from Elevation vs Evaporation allows greater detail with three clusters A, B, C; Olaroz-Cauchari, Uyuni, Hombre Muerto, and Pedernales in C, others in B and A, with very high correlation (r = 0.94).

“Elevation vs Evaporation -removing Atacama allows greater detail to be identified with three clusters A, B, and C. Here, Olaroz-Cauchari, Uyuni, Hombre Muerto, and Pedernales covered in C, others in B and A proving very high correlations (r = 0.94), expressing strong harmony of patterns within clusters, then their lithium environment evolution.”

May combine two claims.

High correlations (r > 0.5) are identified for Li/Elevation, Li/Evaporation, Li/Precipitation (three), and Li/Pan-salt area, Li/Bare land cover, Li/Basin area, Li/Volcanic rocks area (five).

“Groups of Three and Five high correlations identified (r > 0.5) of: Elevation (Li Elev ), Evaporation (Li ET ), and Precipitation (Li Pr ); and Pan-salt area (Li P-area ), Bare land cover (Li LC ), Basin area (Li B-area ), and Volcanic rocks area (Li Geo ), respectively.”

May combine two claims.

Exceptions include Salar de Punta Negra 5.12, Pedernales 4.71, Hombre Muerto 4.17, and Uyuni 3.95.

“However, there are exceptions such as at Salar de Punta Negra 5.12, Pedernales 4.71, Hombre Muerto 4.17, and Uynui 3.95.”

May combine two claims.

There is a very significant cluster around smaller salars, but with a spread of the ratio of lithium to size parameters.

“Localvery significant cluster around smaller salars, but with a spread of the ratio of lithium to size parameters.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The histogram of parametric distribution is generally skewed to the right, clustering around low values then sharply reduced towards higher values, with gaps possibly due to dataset outliers (Li Pr, Li Elev, Li TDS, Li Geo) or data splitting (Li LC, Li B-area).

“In general, the histogram of parametric distribution is skewed to the right, i.e., clustering around low values then sharply reduced towards higher values, with some gaps noticed which possibly due to dataset outliers, as in Li Pr , Li Elev , Li TDS , and Li Geo , or data splitting as in Li LC and Li B-area .”

May combine two claims.

The lowest salar, Atacama, is the most western and is impacted by the Atacama Desert climate.

“The lowest salar, Atacama is the most western and so impacted by the Atacama Desert climate.”

May combine two claims.

There are similarities between parameters characterising salars, but also significant differences.

“The work presented here has demonstrated that whilst there are similarities between the parameters characterising salars, there are still significant differences.”

May combine two claims.

Limited core correlation and parameter significance between TDS and Li, with Atacama and Olaroz-Cauchari as apparent outliers.

“Like previous relationships, limited core correlation and parameters significance, with Atacama Olaroz-Cauchari as apparent outliers.”

May combine two claims.

Elevation, Precipitation, and Evaporation are grouped under Regional Factors relevant to regional spatial patterns, pointing to similarities in lithium evolution environment at a regional scale.

“Elevation (Li Elev ), Precipitation (Li Pr ), and Evaporation (Li ET ) are grouped under Regional Factors that are relevant to regional spatial patterns, building on Fig. 2(a), (b), and (c), respectively, pointing to similarities in lithium evolution environment at a regional scale.”

May combine two claims.

For precipitation, six patterns ranged 0.032-13.0, consistent with precipitation patterns in Fig. 1(c), with Atacama as an outlier.

“(b) Precipitation -Generally six patterns ranged 0.032-13.0 in context with precipitation patterns in Fig. 1(c), with Atacama as an outlier.”

May combine two claims.

For evaporation, five patterns ranged 0.013-1.027, following evaporation patterns in Fig. 1(d), with Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, Uyuni, Negro Francisco, Hombre Muerto, and Pedernales as outliers.

“(c) Evaporation -Five patterns ranged 0.013-1.027follow evaporation patterns (Fig. 1(d)), with Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, Uyuni, Negro Francisco, Hombre Muerto, and Pedernales as outliers.”

May combine two claims.

For salt pan area, four main and three bottom limited patterns ranged 0.032-13.07; Uyuni, Atacama, Coipasa, Lake Poopo, and Arizaro were not outliers, while Salar del Huasco, Carcote, Aguilar, and Negro Francisco appeared as outliers.

“(e) & (i) Salt pan area -Four main and three bottom limited patterns ranged 0.032-13.07.Here, Uyuni, Atacama, Coipasa, Lake Poopo, and Arizaro are NOT outliers as they are in context environment with others, and Salar del Huasco, Carcote, Aguilar, and Negro Francisco appear as outliers.”

May combine two claims.

For land cover, four main and three bottom limited patterns ranged 0.006-2.427, with Liullaillaco and Rio Grande joining the outliers as in (f).

“(g) & (k) Land cover -Four main and three bottom limited patterns ranged 0.006-2.427,with Liullaillaco and Rio Grande join the outliers as in (f).”

May combine two claims.

Larger salars have significant lithium mass, but smaller salars show greater lithium concentration that belies their size.

“Whilst the larger salars have significant lithium mass, smaller salars show greater lithium concentration that belies their size.”

May combine two claims.

Among the studied High Andean salars, 5 have lithium concentration <100 mg/l, 19 have 100-500 mg/l, and 5 have ≥500 mg/l.

“) Li < 100; (2) 100 ≤ Li < 500; and (3) Li ≥ 500, in which (1) 5 salars (2) 19 salars; and (3) 5 salars, respectively.”

May combine two claims.

For regional parameters, only Salar de Atacama was recognized as an outlier, and clustering was not clear.

“(f), (g), (h) are for Regional Parameters with only outlier recognized, Salar de Atacama, as clustering not clear”

May combine two claims.

For basin size, five main and two bottom limited patterns ranged 0.002-1.027, with Salar de Carcote, Aguilar, la Isla, and Negro Francisco as outliers.

“(f) & (j) Basin size -Five main and two bottom limited patterns ranged 0.002-1.027,with Salar de Carcote, Aguilar, la Isla, and Negro Francisco as outliers.”

May combine two claims.

For volcanic rock area, patterns similar in number to land cover ranged 0.013-5.682, with Laguna de los Pozuelos joining the outliers as in (f).

“(h) & (l) Volcanic -Similar patterns numbers as in (g) ranged 0.013-5.682,with Laguna de los Pozuelos join outliers as in (f)”

May combine two claims.

Higher seasonal rainfall means annual flooding of the salar surface occurs, resulting in surface ponding, in contrast to Atacama and other salars where lagunas are groundwater fed.

“and the latter means that annual flooding of the salar surface occurs resulting in surface ponding in contrast to Atacama and other salars where the lagunas are groundwater fed.”

May combine two claims.

For ground elevation, four zones (patterns) in the range 0.006-0.433 were observed; most salars clustered in the blue, green, and yellow zones, and only Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, and Uyuni were outliers at the light brown end.

“(a) Ground elevation -Generally four zones (patterns) in range of 0.006-0.433observed, most salars clustered in zones blue, green, and yellow, and only three (Atacama, Olaroz-Cauchari, and Uyuni) at the end (light brown) as outliers.”

May combine two claims.

In the lithium-versus-parameter scatter plots, plots (a)-(d) show correlations with cloudy distribution, while plots (e)-(h) show most salars clustering close to the bottom right corner, with some away such as Lake Poopo, Uyuni, Coipasa, Atacama, and Olaroz-Cauchari because they have larger basin areas.

“Plots from (a) to (d) shows correlations due to cloudy distribution, while (e) to (h) shows most of salars clusters close to bottom right corner, and some are away such as Lake Poopo, Uyuni, Coispasa, Atacama, and Olaroz-Cauchari Salars, as they have larger basins' area.”

May combine two claims.

Within the 100-500 mg/l lithium concentration class, 3 salars are in the 100-200 mg/l sub-class, 12 are in the 200-400 mg/l sub-class, and 4 are in the 400-500 mg/l sub-class.

“Noticeably, the lithium concentration of most salars is within class (2), in which 3 salars are in the 100-200 mg/l sub-class, 12 salars are within the range of 200-400 mg/l sub-class and 4 salars are within the 400-500 mg/l sub-class.”

May combine two claims.

In the lithium-fraction scatter plots, la Isla and de Huasco were outliers in plot (b) [Li P-area vs Li LC], while Laguna de los Pozuelos and Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari were outliers in plots (d) [Li B-area vs Li Geo] and (e) [Li LC vs Li Geo], respectively.

“In plot (b) [Li P-area vs Li LC ] Salars to la Isla and de Huasco identified as outliers, while in (d) [Li B-area vs Li Geo ] and (e) [Li LC vs Li Geo ] are Laguna de los Pozuelos and Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari, respectively.”

May combine two claims.

Pearson coefficient (r) improved in (a) from about 0.44 to 0.76, (b) 0.4 to 0.41, (c) 0.59 to 0.9, and (d) 0.59 to 0.80.

“Pearson coefficient (r) improved in (a) from about 0.44 to 0.76, (b) 0.4 to 0.41, (c) 0.59 to 0.9, and (d) 0.59 to 0.80.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Salar de Atacama is an end member particularly in relation to elevation and climatic parameters.

“Salar de Atacama is an end member particularly in relation to elevation and climatic parameters.”

May combine two claims.

The scatter matrix of lithium-fraction illustrates 28 possible relevant correlations based on Pearson coefficient (r); eight high positive correlations were observed with r > 0.5, and five positive moderate correlations with r ∈ (0.3, 0.5]; the others had weak positive and negative correlations.

“Scatter matrix plot of lithium-fraction illustrates 28 possible relevant correlations based on Pearson coefficient (r).Eight high positive correlation observed (highlighted in red) with r > 0.5, and Five positive moderate correlation (highlighted in green) with r∈(0.3,0.5].Others (faded) have week positive and negative correlations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Salar de Uyuni has unique features: elevated magnesium concentrations and higher seasonal rainfall resulting in annual flooding.

“However, similarly to Atacama, Salar de Uyuni has other unique features such as elevated magnesium concentrations and its higher seasonal rainfall resulting in annual flooding.”

May combine two claims.

For TDS, five patterns ranged 0.433 to >13.0, with Laguna Blanca and Salar de Punta Negro as outliers.

“(d) TDS -Five patterns ranged 0.433-> 13.0 with Laguna Blanca and Salar de Punta Negro as outliers.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Bradley et al. (2013) identified seven common regional and local characteristics of lithium-rich brine using an ore deposit model: arid climate; closed basin containing a playa or salar; tectonically driven subsidence; associated igneous or geothermal activity; suitable lithium source-rocks; one or more adequate aquifers; and sufficient time to concentrate a brine.

“Common regional and local characteristics (or parameters) of Li-rich brine have been identified by Bradley et al. (2013) using an ore deposit model approach: ( 1) arid climate; (2) closed basin containing a playa or salar; (3) tectonically driven subsidence; (4) associated igneous or geothermal activity; (5) suitable lithium source-rocks; (6) one or more adequate aquifers; and ( 7) sufficient time”

• cites Bradley et al. (2013)Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

How each of Bradley et al.'s characteristics correlates with lithium evolution has not yet been fully explored, and spatial regional lithium concentration patterns have not been fully developed.

“however how each of these characteristics are correlated with respect to lithium evolution has not yet been fully explored (Munk et al., 2016), accordingly variation in the spatial regional lithium concentrations pattern have not been fully developed (López Steinmetz et al., 2020).”

• cites Munk et al., 2016Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites López Steinmetz et al., 2020 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Lithium-bearing salars form through a combination of geological, hydrological, and meteorological processes: lithium is leached from suitable country rocks in inland drainage basins, transported in solution by rivers and groundwater into lower-lying areas, and concentrated into residual brine by evaporation.

“Lithium-bearing salars form through a combination of geological, hydrological, and meteorological process: lithium is leached from suitable country rocks in inland drainage basins and transported in solution by rivers and groundwater into lower-lying areas.Here, evaporation greatly exceeds precipitation, hence water is lost through evaporation and Li and other elements are gradually precipitated”

• cites Houston et al., 2011 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The Penman Monteith, Priestley-Taylor, and Hargreaves evapotranspiration models show harmonic spatial patterns with maximum values exceeding 1500 mm/annum, while Makkink gives about 500 mm/annum and is likely not applicable in arid climates.

“It shows that spatial patterns and values are harmonic in Penman Monteith reference (a), Priestley -Taylor (b), and Hargreaves (c) models, with maximum values exceeds 1500 mm/annum, while Makkink (d) have about 500 mm/annum, as Makkink formula express evapotranspiration of well-watered short grass in summer time (De Bruin, 1987), which are likely not to be applicable in arid climates.”

• cites De Bruin, 1987Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

It is not possible to identify clear regional patterns of lithium distribution from ground elevation, or more precisely, limited parameter significance.

“Thus, it is not possible to identify clear regional patterns of lithium distribution, or more precisely, limited parameter significance.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

More investigation is required to identify relevant lithium sources since no extra sources have been added by this process.

“This means that more investigation is required to identify relevant lithium sources since no extra sources has been added by this process.”

May combine two claims.

Both conclusions (Marazuela et al. 2018 and Moran et al. 2022) may be applicable on Atacama, but may not on others, as current results show.

“Both conclusions, even though they are conflicting, may be applicable on Atacama, but may not on others, as current results show.”

May combine two claims.

Atacama has the lowest elevation than others, leading to its being considered as its own major cluster.

“however Atacama has the lowest elevation than others leading to its being considered as its own major cluster.”

May combine two claims.

These are smaller salars in close proximity to source rocks, i.e., volcanic.

“These are smaller salars in close proximity to source rocks, i.e., volcanic.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Given the timescales required to accumulate lithium, this clustering could be related to developmental path and age of the salar.

“Given the timescales required to accumulate lithium in any salar, this clustering could be related to developmental path and the age of the salar.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Timescales required to accumulate lithium in any salar are such that clustering could be related to developmental path and age.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Regional climate influence is loosely related to elevation (orographic effect); north-south air masses produce higher rainfall and lower evaporation at higher elevations.

“Regionalclimate influence is loosely related to elevation (orographic effect), but importantly north-south air masses produce higher rainfall and lower evaporation at higher elevations.”

May combine two claims.

It is likely that watersheds/basins exist in which significant solutes can be leached to produce high TDS, but that they may be lacking in source rocks providing significant lithium mass.

“It is likely that watersheds/basins exist in which significant solutes can be leached to produce high TDS, but that they may be lacking in source rocks providing significant lithium mass.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

There is no single source of best practice and no unified set of rules that can work for all salars.

“The corollary of the differences between salars is that there is no single source of best practice and, therefore, no unified set of rules that can work for all the salars.”

May combine two claims.

At a regional scale, Atacama has a different lithium-environment than others, evident by its highest lithium concentration.

“At a regional scale, Atacama has a different lithium-environment than others, which evident by the fact it has the highest lithium concentration that is matching the finding of apparent clusters.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

These results are unable to provide clear systematic outcomes about lithium concentration spatial variations/patterns, or about salars' similarities/anomalies.

“As for López Steinmetz and Salvi (2021) these results are unable to provide clear systematic outcomes about lithium concentration spatial variations/ patterns, or about salars' similarities and/anomalies.”

• cites López Steinmetz and Salvi (2021) sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

These group of salars could show the importance of flow through higher rainfall and greater evaporation leading to greater lithium mass brought into the salar and, ultimately, via evaporative processes concentration of lithium.

“These group of salars could show the importance of flow throughhigher rainfall and greater evaporation leading to greater lithium mass brought into the salar and, ultimately, via evaporative processes concentration of lithium.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Inflow waters contain high enough concentrations of lithium for long periods of time.

May combine two claims.

SdA presents such a dominant value due to its relatively low elevation (2500 m ASL), low rainfall and high evaporation.

“SdA presents such a dominant value due to its relatively low elevation (2500 m ASL), low rainfall and high evaporation.”

May combine two claims.

There is a potential for greater propensity for dissolution by surface or groundwaters and could be re-worked after lithium is concentrated in these deposits.

“There is a potential to have a greater propensity for dissolution by either surface or groundwaters and could be re-worked after the lithium is concentrated in these deposits.”

May combine two claims.

In (k) [Li Pr vs Li ET], Laguna de los Pozuelos and Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari were also recognized as outliers, which may indicate possible basin environment similarity.

“In (k) [Li Pr vs Li ET ] Laguna de los Pozuelos and Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari also recognized as outliers, which may refer to possible basin's environment similarity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The greater lithium concentration in smaller salars could be due to proximity of lithium sources related to volcanoes bringing lithium to the surface.

“This could be due to the proximity of lithium sources to these salars related to volcanoes and their role in bringing lithium to the surface”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

This work has provided a framework by which salars can be placed in context of both their past and current state of development.

“This work has provided a framework by which salars can be placed in context of both their past and current state of development.”

May combine two claims.

Salars within the same colour zone are in context in lithium environment evolution, and those within higher-value zones are outliers, as shown in zoom plots (i)-(l), such as Aguilar, Carcote, Negro Francisco, and la Isla.

“Here, salars within same colour zone are in context in lithium environment evolution, and those within higher values zones are outliers, as shows in zoom plots (i) to (l), such as Aguilar, Carcote, Negro Francisco, and la Isla Salars.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

This work illustrates the complexities of salar systems.

“Finally, this work illustrates the complexities of salar systems”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Elevated magnesium concentrations result in problems processing brines.

“The former results in problems in terms of processing the brines”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The geological map is as in Fig. 2(c), except that sedimentary rock type Siliciclastic is separated from other types, such as Carbonate and Evaporitic, which possibly participate in lithium evolution.

“The geological map is as in Fig. 2(c), except sedimentary rock type Siliciclastic [light pink] apart of other types, such as Carbonate and Evaporitic which possibly participate in lithium evolution.”