IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2024i1p121-d1554589.html

Research Status and Development Trends of Inorganic Salt Lake Resource Extraction Based on Bibliometric Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Leiming Li

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

  • Fei Ge

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

  • Yingying Jiang

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

  • Zhao An

    (Geological Survey Bureau of Qinghai Province, Xining 810028, China)

  • Na Li

    (Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730013, China)

  • Zherui Zhang

    (Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730013, China)

  • Haining Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

  • Jiansen Li

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

  • Dan Liang

    (Key Laboratory of Green and High-End Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China)

Abstract

Salt lake resources are unique and valuable minerals on Earth associated with specific elements. The advancement of technology and the rise of new industries are progressively showcasing their strategic significance for economic development. This study used bibliometrics and visualization techniques to analyze the current state and developmental trends of research on salt lake resource exploitation, both domestically and globally. A total of 760 articles from Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) were analyzed. The research findings reveal that the processes of salt lake separation and extraction have progressed through three distinct stages: the germination stage, the stable development stage, and the rapid development stage. China has offered robust policy support for research in this domain at the national level. China possesses a centrality score of 1.08 in the separation and extraction of salt lakes, with 50% of the 10 most active nations in this domain situated in Asia and South America. The prominent institutions comprise the Chinese Academy of Sciences (centrality score of 0.32), the Qinghai Salt Lake Study Institute (centrality score of 0.22), and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (centrality score of 0.14), encompassing a diverse array of study subjects. Keywords from 2003 signify the initial advancement of lithium extraction from saline lakes, whereas those from 2011 underscore the heightened focus on integrated resource utilization and multidisciplinary study. Keywords from 2015 indicate an intensified emphasis on the extraction of lithium and other elements. The terms “tributyl phosphate” (citation strength of 6.05) and “nanofiltration” (citation strength of 4.29) exhibit significant interest in magnesium–lithium separation research and water treatment technologies employed in salt lake separation and extraction, receiving the highest number of citations. The persistent emphasis on “lithium ions” signifies the increasing demand for raw materials propelled by advancements in the new energy sector. Research trend analysis indicates that sodium resource utilization has stabilized, whereas magnesium, a byproduct of lithium extraction, is presently a key focus for downstream product applications. Rare elements remain at the experimental research stage. The industrialization of salt lake resources, including potassium, lithium, and boron, is notably advanced. Future research should focus on the mineralization and enrichment patterns of potassium resources, developing improved extraction methods for lithium, and advancing technologies for the cost-effective and environmentally friendly separation of boron resources. The future objective for resource extraction in salt lakes is to transition from a crude methodology to a refined, sustainable, and intelligent development framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Leiming Li & Fei Ge & Yingying Jiang & Zhao An & Na Li & Zherui Zhang & Haining Liu & Jiansen Li & Dan Liang, 2024. "Research Status and Development Trends of Inorganic Salt Lake Resource Extraction Based on Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-37, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:121-:d:1554589
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/121/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/121/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    2. Chaomei Chen, 2006. "CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 57(3), pages 359-377, February.
    3. Fuentealba, Diego & Flores-Fernández, Cherie & Troncoso, Elizabeth & Estay, Humberto, 2023. "Technological tendencies for lithium production from salt lake brines: Progress and research gaps to move towards more sustainable processes," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Yuqing Geng & Mukasar Maimaituerxun, 2022. "Research Progress of Green Marketing in Sustainable Consumption based on CiteSpace Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, August.
    5. Geng, Yuqing & Zhang, Xiaorui & Gao, Juan & Yan, Yan & Chen, Lingyan, 2024. "Bibliometric analysis of sustainable tourism using CiteSpace," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    6. Jiangdi Zhou & Binkai Li & Maoyong He & Jiangang Jiao & Zhongli Tang & Zhengyan Li, 2023. "Hydrochemical Characteristics and Sources of Lithium in Carbonate-Type Salt Lake in Tibet," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Tong Pan & Jianzhou Chen & Mao-Yong He & Chengwang Ding & Yuliang Ma & Hui Liang & Tao Zhang & Xiaochun Du, 2023. "Characterization and Resource Potential of Li in the Clay Minerals of Mahai Salt Lake in the Qaidam Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-18, September.
    8. Ole Ellegaard, 2018. "The application of bibliometric analysis: disciplinary and user aspects," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 116(1), pages 181-202, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Qing Guo & Huaxi Guo & Zhiwei Xing & Zhuozhi Lai & Jiaming Yi & Sai Wang & Li Zhang & Shengqian Ma & Qi Sun, 2025. "Energy-autonomous KCl extraction from brine via biomimetic covalent-organic-framework membranes and redox-driven ion transport," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hasan Danaeefard & Guy Peters & Mehdi Khosravi & Mohammad Abdolhoseinzadeh & Seyed Hosein Kazemi & Mahdi Abdolhamid, 2025. "Correction: Mapping and Evolving the Intellectual Structure of Politicization Research: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Current Trends and Future Directions," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1049-1073, September.
    2. Cihangir Kaçmaz & Osman Tayyar Çelik, 2025. "Life Satisfaction in Adolescence: A Bibliometric Analysis," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 18(5), pages 1927-1955, October.
    3. Francisco Díez-Martín & Giorgia Miotto & Cristina Del-Castillo-Feito, 2024. "The intellectual structure of gender equality research in the business economics literature," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1649-1680, June.
    4. Théodore Nikiema & Eugène C. Ezin & Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of the State of Research on Agroecology Adoption and Methods Used for Its Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Lin Hu & Qinghai Chen & Tingting Yang & Chuanjian Yi & Jing Chen, 2024. "Visualization and Analysis of Hotspots and Trends in Seafood Cold Chain Logistics Based on CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and RStudio Bibliometrix," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Ainun Hasanah & Jing Wu, 2025. "Bibliometric analysis and global research trends of climate change and cities studies for 30 years (1990–2021)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 5573-5617, March.
    7. Dušan Nikolić & Dragan Ivanović & Lidija Ivanović, 2024. "An open-source tool for merging data from multiple citation databases," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(7), pages 4573-4595, July.
    8. Cricelli, Livio & Mauriello, Roberto & Strazzullo, Serena, 2023. "Preventing open innovation failures: A managerial framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    9. Minh-Hieu Le & Wen-Min Lu & Jui-Chen Chang, 2023. "Recycling E-Waste and the Sustainable Economy: A Bibliometric Exploration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    10. Ma, Chao-Qun & Lei, Yu-Tian & Ren, Yi-Shuai & Chen, Xun-Qi & Wang, Yi-Ran & Narayan, Seema, 2024. "Systematic analysis of the blockchain in the energy sector: Trends, issues, and future directions," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(2).
    11. Zhao Zhi-hong & Wei Zi-yi & Yao Shan-ji, 2025. "How Entrepreneurship University Enhances Digital Opportunities? Evidences from Bibliometric and Topic Modeling," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    12. S. Lacárcel, Francisco Javier & González-Padilla, P. & Matos, Nelson & B. Correia, Marisol, 2024. "Bibliometric measurement of the resource curse and its implication for sustainable development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    13. Rocío González-Sánchez & Sara Alonso-Muñoz & María Sonia Medina-Salgado, 2023. "Circularity in waste management: a research proposal to achieve the 2030 Agenda," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 1520-1540, September.
    14. Mohammed R. M. Salem & Shahida Shahimi, 2025. "A comprehensive analysis of FinTech (1968–2025): a bibliometric approach," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    15. Mathew Azarian & Hao Yu & Asmamaw Tadege Shiferaw & Tor Kristian Stevik, 2023. "Do We Perform Systematic Literature Review Right? A Scientific Mapping and Methodological Assessment," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-32, November.
    16. Junbin Wang & Chenyang Zhao & Lufei Huang & Shuai Yang & Minxing Wang, 2024. "Uncovering research trends and opportunities on FinTech: a scientometric analysis," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 105-129, March.
    17. Itsuki Kageyama & Karin Kurata & Shuto Miyashita & Yeongjoo Lim & Shintaro Sengoku & Kota Kodama, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Wearable Device Research Trends 2001–2022—A Study on the Reversal of Number of Publications and Research Trends in China and the USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-19, December.
    18. Xianting Bao & Yuran Jin, 2025. "Insight into border carbon adjustment: a visual bibliometric analysis from 2009 to 2024," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    19. Yuntao Lian & Jiafeng Xie, 2024. "The Evolution of Digital Cultural Heritage Research: Identifying Key Trends, Hotspots, and Challenges through Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-39, August.
    20. Daniel Fonseca Costa & Brenda Melissa Fonseca & Lélis Pedro Andrade & Bruno César Melo Moreira, 2023. "Bibliometric and scientometric analysis of the scientific field in taxation," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-28, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:121-:d:1554589. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.