Analysis of Inter-monthly Variation and Driving Factors of Water Level Fluctuation in Bankog Co, A Lithium-rich Salt Lake, Central Xizang Plateau

Lithium’s unique advantages in the field of new energy have made its demand grow exponentially, and the world’s major economies have listed it as a key mineral. Salt lakes in Xizang are rich in lithium resources, and changes in the water level play an important role in the dynamic evaluation of lithium resources. Bankog Co is a typical lithium-rich salt lake, making it highly representative. The main conclusions are as follows:（1） Between June 2018 and December 2021, and from January 2016 to July 2023, the Bankog Co water level exhibited drastic inter-monthly changes, first decreasing, then increasing, and again decreasing. The speed at which the water level increased was much higher than the speed at which it decreased.（2） An increase in evaporation was the main reason for the two-time water level decrease; a decrease in evaporation and an increase in temperature were the driving forces of rises in the water level.（3） Temperature and precipitation were the main factors controlling the annual variation of the lake, and temperature was mainly affected by controlling evaporation. The results of this study provide a database for regional response studies of climate change in the Xizang Plateau and the late lithium mining of Bankog Co.