Hydrochemical and Isotopic Explanations of the Interaction between Surface Water and Groundwater in a Typical-Desertified Steppe of Northern China

Jing Jin (), Tiejun Liu, Mingxin Wang, Zilong Liao and Jing Zhang
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Jing Jin: Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Field Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
Tiejun Liu: Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Field Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
Mingxin Wang: Institute of Water Resources for Pastoral Area, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Hohhot 010020, China
Zilong Liao: Institute of Water Resources for Pastoral Area, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Hohhot 010020, China
Jing Zhang: Institute of Water Resources for Pastoral Area, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Hohhot 010020, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: The Tabu catchment, a typical-desertified steppe in China, was selected as the study area to qualitatively analyze the interaction between surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW), and an integration of hydrochemical analysis and isotopic techniques was applied. The results show that the ion contents in SW and GW increased from upstream to downstream, and the hydrochemical evolutions were both controlled by rock weathering and influenced by evaporation. The δD–δ 18 O lines of SW and GW were δD = 5.14δ 18 O − 24.68 and δD = 6.89δ 18 O − 5.81, respectively. Along the I–I′ profile, the contents of most indices, δD and δ 18 O in SW and GW both showed increasing tendencies. All of the similarities in the hydrochemical characteristics and isotopic techniques indicated that SW was recharged by GW. The δD–δ 18 O inconsistency in SW and GW samples from midstream and downstream areas indicated that SW did not recharge to GW in these areas and was consumed by evaporation or replenished the moisture in the vadose zones. The runoff decreased, which was mainly caused by excessive exploitation of GW and a decline in the GW level. This study deepens the understanding of the hydrological cycle and provides guidance for the optimal combined utilization of SW and GW.

Keywords: Tabu River catchment; hydrological cycle; stable isotope; variation; consistency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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