Spatial Variation and Controlling Factors of H and O Isotopes in Lancang River Water, Southwest China

Kunhua Yang, Guilin Han, Jie Zeng, Bin Liang, Rui Qu, Jinke Liu and Man Liu
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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
Jie Zeng: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Bin Liang: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Rui Qu: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Jinke Liu: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Man Liu: Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Climate changes and other human activities have substantially altered the hydrological cycle with respect to elevation. In this study, longitudinal patterns in the stable isotopic composition (δ 2 H and δ 18 O) of Lancang River water, originating from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, are presented, and several controlling factors in the wet season are hypothesized. Lancang River water δ 2 H (−145.2‰ to −60.7‰) and δ 18 O (−18.51‰ to −8.49‰) were low but close to those of the Global Meteoric Water Line. In the upper reaches of the river, δ 2 H decreased longitudinally, potentially due to groundwater inputs and melting ground ice in the headwater zone and to an increasing proportion of glacier meltwater with decreasing elevation. In the middle reaches of the river, δ 2 H values increased slowly moving downstream, likely due to shifts in precipitation inputs, as evidenced by the isotopic composition of tributaries to the main stream. In the lower reaches of the river, the isotopic composition was relatively invariant, potentially related to the presence of large artificial reservoirs that increase the water resident time. The results reveal different hydrological patterns along an alpine river in central Asia associated with both natural and anthropogenic processes. Understanding the degree and type of human interference with the water cycle in this region could improve water management and water security.

Keywords: hydrogen isotope, oxygen isotope; groundwater; glacier; dams; water cycle; Lancang River; Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (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 (2)

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