Quantitative evaluation of groundwater recharge and evaporation intensity with stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in a semi‐arid region,Northwest China |
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| Authors: | Qingchun Yang Haokun Mu Hao Wang Xueyan Ye Hongyun Ma Jordi Delgado Martín |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China;2. Key Laboratory for Groundwater and Ecology in Arid and Semi‐arid Areas, Xi'an Center of Geological Survey, CGS, China;3. Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Universidad de A Coru?a, A Coru?a, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Yinchuan Basin, a semi‐arid area located in Northwest China, is currently subject to increasing pressure from the altered hydrology due to the anthropogenic activities as well as increasing water demands for regional development. Sustainable water management across the region must be underpinned by a clear understanding of the factors that constrain water supply in this area. We measured the stable isotope of oxygen and hydrogen to determine the likely processes that control the interrelations among precipitation, surface water (Yellow River), and groundwater. The hydrogen and oxygen values demonstrate that 2 primary hydrochemical processes, mixing and evaporation/condensation, occurred in the Basin. Recharge proportions of precipitation and Yellow River were quantitatively evaluated based on the isotope mass balance method. The proportions of the Yellow River and atmospheric precipitation recharge are 87.7% and 12.3%, respectively. The evaporation proportions calculated with 18O and D by Rayleigh fractional equation are close to each other, which demonstrate that evaporation intensity increases following the flow direction of the Yellow River. The findings obtained in this study are useful for recognizing the significance of Yellow River to Yinchuan Basin, and some optimal allocation schemes can be adopted for a prospective development of this reputed area in Northwest China. |
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| Keywords: | evaporation proportion groundwater recharge mixing effect stable isotopes Yinchuan Basin |
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