Stable H-O Isotopic Composition and Water Quality Assessment of Surface Water and Groundwater: A Case Study in the Dabie Mountains, Central China

Kunhua Yang, Guilin Han, Chao Song and Peng Zhang
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Kunhua Yang: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Guilin Han: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Chao Song: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Peng Zhang: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: In order to understand the water cycle and assess the water quality for irrigation purposes in the Upper Pi River Basin (UPRB), which is the northern slope of the Dabie Mountains, 68 surface water and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for H-O isotopes and hydrochemistry during the high-flow season in 2017 and 2018. The results show that ranges of hydrogen and oxygen isotopic composition (δ 2 H: −68.8‰ to −40.8‰, δ 18 O: −10.05‰ to −5.05‰) are controlled by the medium latitude and high altitude of the UPRB. Among different types of water, the δ 2 H and δ 18 O values can be ordered as follows: reservoir water < spring water ≈ river water < pond water. The water of the upstream medium and small reservoir is enriched with lighter isotopes that is likely related to more exchange with rainwater and less residence time; however, large reservoirs are similar to the upstream river and spring in terms of the H-O isotopic composition. Hydro-chemical facies are dominated by the Ca-HCO 3 type in the UPRB, which reflects fresh recharged water from rainfall, and few samples are of the Ca-Cl type that is caused by intensive evaporation. The water quality for irrigation purposes was also evaluated. According to the Wilcox diagram, United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram, magnesium hazard, and Kelly’s ratio, all water samples have been considered suitable for irrigation water.

Keywords: hydrogen isotope; oxygen isotope; water quality assessment; surface water; groundwater; Central China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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