Investigating Heterogeneous Geochemistry of Brines and Sediments from the Salar de Llamara

Explore the extreme environments of the Atacama Desert's salt flats, focusing on the Salar de Llamara and its unique "Puquios" in this hour-long conference talk. Discover the diverse brine chemistry and sedimentation styles found in over 400 saline lagoons and peripheral ponds. Gain insights into the complex interplay of physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape these environments. Examine the major characteristics of the Puquios and analyze the heterogeneity of lagoon chemistry through the evaluation of five sediment cores. Learn how this research contributes to environmental reconstruction of extreme environments, providing valuable knowledge for understanding similar ecosystems on Earth and potentially other planets.