Impacts of environmental flow controls on the water table and groundwater chemistry in the Ejina Delta,northwestern China

The impacts of environmental flow controls on the water table and chemistry of groundwater in the Ejina Delta, an arid inland river basin in northwest China, were investigated with field observations in 2001 and 2009. The results indicate that the shallow groundwater level rose by 0–2 m in the upper reaches of the east tributary of the Heihe River and in the areas of Saihantaolai—Dalaikubu during the period of environmental flow controls. The chemical constituents of the groundwater show a distinct spatial heterogeneity with the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the groundwater increasing from the periphery towards the depocenter of the Ejina Basin. In addition, the rate of groundwater cycling in the south of the Ejina Delta increased, and the mineralization of groundwater declined, while the overall mineralization and salinity increased in the northern regions, especially in the depocenter of the Ejina Basin. Since shallow groundwater is important to the ecology of arid regions, and because understanding the changes in the shallow groundwater environment (groundwater level and hydrochemistry) in response to environmental flow controls is essential for the sustainable improvement of the ecological environment, the results of this paper can be used as a reference for watershed water resources planning and management to help maintain the health and proper function of rivers in arid regions.     

Groundwater replenishment analysis by using natural isotopes in Ejina Basin, Northwestern China

The Ejina Basin underlying complex aquifers is located in the lower reaches of the Heihe River with an arid climate and 40 mm mean annual precipitation. As the balance of the natural ecosystem in the Ejina Basin is fragile and easily upset, it is very important to estimate and rationally use the limited groundwater resources to maintain the balance. Water samples were collected from the Heihe River and wells for chemical and isotopic measurements across the basin. The Piper diagram gives two main types of hydrochemical features. Against the background of the regional geology, combining isotope ¹⁸O, tritium, and chemical analysis with groundwater flows indicated by a shallow groundwater level contour map, different kinds of groundwater sources and ways to replenish groundwater were discovered. North of the study area are artesian wells that are replenished by the mountainous area at the boundary between China and Mongolia. Replenishment for most of the groundwater resources of the Gurinai oasis comes from the Heihe River seepage flow of the highly conductive paleochannel, not from the Badain Jaran Desert as indicated by TDS and tritium analysis. The different groundwater ages which are younger than 35 years were approximately estimated by radioactive isotope tritium (T). By such efforts, groundwater resources can be effectively evaluated with the engineering impact of the Heihe River Project.     

中国西北地区额济纳绿洲植被盖度与黑河流量的滞后效应研究

干旱区植被生长与地下水的关系是生态水文地质学研究的热点之一。西北干旱地区,由于降水稀少,绿洲是当地人类生存和发展的主要依托。近年来,随着黑河流域中游地区用水量的逐年加大,下游来水量减少,使得下游额济纳绿洲的面积不断减小,湖泊干涸,沙漠化严重,生态环境恶化。由于绿洲植被的生长与水有极为密切的关系,因此,研究河流流量与绿洲植被生长之间的定量关系,对改善黑河流域生态环境、协调用水矛盾和合理配置水资源具有重要意义。将遥感数据与黑河径流量数据相结合,在区域尺度上定量研究额济纳绿洲植被生长与河流径流量的关系。结果表明,绿洲植被对黑河径流以及地下水有很强的依赖关系,而且黑河径流对额济纳绿洲的影响存在一年的滞后期,而地下水则通过这种滞后作用将两者联系起来。     

黑河流域下游额济纳绿洲与水资源的关系

简要介绍了黑河流域下游额济纳绿洲自然概况,分析了黑河下游地表水、地下水近20年的变化趋势,进而对额济纳绿洲植被生长、植物种群演替、植被覆盖度以及绿洲的存亡与当地地下水埋深的关系作了剖析,并对规划年绿洲变化作了预测.指出了水资源是黑河下游额济纳经济社会可持续发展和生态环境建设的依托,如何稳定绿洲和使绿洲有适度规模发展,是生态保护的核心问题,具有重要的战略意义.     

黑河下游生态调水对水资源时空变化的影响分析

分析了黑河流域地表水、地下水资源在调水前后的时空分布变化,评价了黑河生态调水引起水资源的时空变化规律。黑河在调水前进入下游的水量明显受中游用水影响,20世纪90年代后,进入黑河下游地区的水量逐年减少,导致地下水位下降,出现草场大面积沙化和沙漠化、林地面积减少等生态环境问题。自2000年开始至2003年,按照分步实施、逐步到位的原则,国家对黑河水资源实行统一管理和调度,实现国务院批准的分水方案,自2004年开始转入正常调度,下游来水量比调水前有明显增加,2000～2004年、2005～2008年正义峡断面增加下泄量分别为1.62×108m3、2.35×108m3,哨马营断面来水增加1.34×108m3、1.18×108m3,狼心山断面来水增加1.64×108m3、1.41×108m3。调水后黑河下游区域地下水位逐年回升,整个额济纳绿洲地下水位回升了0.56m,东西河上游、赛汉桃来、吉日格朗图区域地下水位分别回升了0.26m、0.05m、0.78m。使东居延海得到恢复,最大水面面积达35.7km2,西居延海得到一定的水量补给,环湖地区生态环境逐步得到恢复。     

从黑河流域地下水年龄论其资源属性

地下水资源的可持续性是当前干旱区流域水资源管理的首要问题之一 ,我国西北内陆干旱区地下水的可持续开发必须首先要了解地下水系统的更新能力 ,地下水的放射性同位素测年可以提供系统循环时间和更新能力的重要信息。本文利用地下水中放射性氚 (3H )和碳 (1 4C)测年方法 ,计算黑河流域地下水的年龄 ,进而讨论地下水的更新性。结果表明 :潜水年龄多数小于 5 0 a,具有可再生的资源的属性 ,其中山前戈壁带和张掖盆地细土平原潜水地下水年龄小于 4 0 a,为 196 3年以来补给。酒泉东盆地排泄区承压含水层中地下水的年龄为 2 338～5 5 6 9a,额济纳附近的深层承压含水层中 ,地下水的年龄为 5 4 86～ 86 30 a,地下水资源更新性较差。但是张掖盆地河流附近深层承压地下水年龄小于 5 0 a,具有一定的更新性。上述认识不仅对黑河流域水资源管理和生态环境建设具有重要意义 ,而且对西北类似的内流盆地的地下水系统的研究有着借鉴意义     

黑河流域中游盆地水文地球化学演化规律研究

黑河是我国第二大内流河,研究其水化学演化规律,对于区域水资源科学利用与管理、保障饮水安全和下游生态安全都具有重要作用。本文利用2014—2018年在黑河流域开展1∶50 000水文地质调查所获取的资料,研究了黑河干流和丰乐河两个典型剖面的水化学和同位素变化规律。结果表明,黑河中游盆地地下水主要来源于祁连山区大气降水补给,黑河干流区地下水氘氧同位素比丰乐河流域更为富集,反映了氘氧同位素的高程效应。在丰乐河流域排泄区发现了非现代气候条件下形成的古水,说明现在的盐湖盆地早期就是地下水滞留区。山前戈壁带含水层经长期淋滤作用,地下水溶解性总固体(total dissolved solids,TDS)较低,水化学类型以重碳酸型为主。溢出带以北下游地区TDS逐步增高,地下水类型以硫酸型、硫酸-氯型为主,具有两种地下水化学背景和演化模式:一种是石膏溶解-碳酸盐沉淀析出-氯化物溶解-缓慢的硅酸盐非完全溶解和阳离子交换反应模式;另一种在此基础上增加硫酸钠溶解演化模式。流域补给区和径流区地下水TDS升高的主要原因是溶滤作用。丰乐河排泄区地下水TDS升高的主要原因仍是溶滤作用,溶滤盐分的来源是表层的盐分,以石盐为主。黑河干流排泄区由于含水层较薄,水位埋深较浅,蒸发对地下水咸化的影响更大。     

黑河下游额济纳绿洲退化规律及其控制因素

本文针对黑河下游的额济纳绿洲，借助遥感方法利用气象卫星数据定量确定了绿洲的多年动态变化规律，通过地下水数值模拟得到地下水水位埋深分布，提出植被覆盖率的概念较好地描述了植被生长状况与地下水位埋深的定量关系，最终给出了能从宏观上研究干旱区绿洲和水资源定量关系的实用方法。     

Impacts of river recharge on groundwater level and hydrochemistry in the lower reaches of Heihe River Watershed, northwestern China

Water resources have been overexploited for agricultural irrigation and industrial production in the upper and middle reaches of the Heihe River, northwestern China. Due to inadequate water resources management, the runoff entering into the lower reaches has been continuously reduced in recent years. The Heihe River is the primary recharge source for the groundwater of the lower reaches, so the decrease in runoff has caused the groundwater level to decline. As a result, a series of ecological and environmental problems has now appeared in the lower reaches, including river-flow interruptions, drying up of associated lakes, degeneration of vegetative cover and so on. In view of these issues, the National Water Diversion Project was put into practice in July 2000. It has significantly increased the quantity and frequency of flows entering into the lower reaches of the Heihe River, and has recharged the groundwater and improved the water quality to some degree along the length of the river. The water deliveries have had obvious influences on the groundwater in the lower reaches. The groundwater level increase and groundwater quality improvement have been of great benefit in restoring the ecological environment that was destroyed in past years.     

Major ion chemistry of groundwater in the extreme arid region northwest China

The Ejina Basin, located in arid northwest China, is one of the most arid areas in the world. In recent years, rapid development has created a greater demand for water which is increasingly fulfilled by groundwater abstraction. Detailed knowledge of geochemical evolution of groundwater and water quality can improve the understanding of a hydrochemical system, and promote sustainable development and effective management of groundwater resources. To this end, a hydrochemical survey was conducted in the Ejina Basin in order to identify the major hydrochemical characteristics. The results of chemical analysis indicate that groundwater in the area is brackish. The major ions, TDS, and hydrochemical types of different areas are highly variable and show an obvious zonation from the recharge area to the discharge area. Saturation index (SI), calculated according to the ionic ration plot, indicates that the gypsum-halite dissolution reactions take place under the condition of the rock weathering to some extent, and evaporation is the dominant factor to determine the major ionic composition in the study area.     

河西走廊张掖盆地含水层的水资源调节能力分析

张掖盆地是河西走廊黑河干流中游一个相对独立的水文地质单元,含水层以大厚度第四系冲洪积物为主。戈壁带地下水位长期监测数据的分析表明,河水入渗转化为地下水后,可以在附近含水层中存留20个月以上。整个盆地泉水溢出量与黑河干流径流量的对比分析表明,二者的天然动态周期均约为14 a,但丰枯变化正好相反,互为补充。据此认为,盆地内大厚度第四系含水层是条件优良的天然地下水库,如果得到合理开发利用,对科学配置整个流域水资源、保护恢复下游额济纳平原生态等具有重要意义。     

西北黑河额济纳盆地水资源管理研究——三维地下水流数值模拟

在大量实测资料的基础上, 建立了额济纳盆地地下水流系统饱和-非饱和三维数值模型, 对4种不同输水量情况下盆地内区域地下水位的变化趋势进行了预测, 进而提出了合理的输水方案, 黑河上中游向额济纳盆地合理的输水总量应为7.5亿m3/a, 其中通过狼心山水文站的水量不应小于5.5亿m3/a.这一方案为流域水资源的合理调配及额济纳绿洲生态环境保护和建设提供了依据.      

黑河流域水资源及现阶段合理开发利用

黑河是我国西部较大的一条内陆河,近30多年来,由于中游地区水资源开发利用程度不断提高,使进入下游额济纳平原的地表水逐渐减少,导致下游生态环境发生恶化.为了拯救下游绿洲,改善生态环境,自1992年起对黑河中、下游用水实行计划调度,1999年开始实施国家定量分水方案.根据近几年的最新调查研究成果,计算评价了黑河流域的总水资源、地表水资源、地下水资源、地表水和地下水的利用现状及开采潜力.在此基础上,提出现阶段中游以加强引输水工程改造、提高地表水资源利用率和推广田间节水灌溉工程,发挥水利用效益;下游以适度开发利用地下水、加强地表水和地下水综合开发利用,改善生态环境.为中、下游科学分配地表水资源和合理开发利用地下水资源提供科学依据.     

Environmental isotopic and hydrochemical study of groundwater in the Ejina Basin,northwest China

The study investigates the groundwater evolution and its residence time in the Ejina Basin, northwest China according to isotope and hydrochemical analyses results. The groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by the dissolution of halite, Glauber’s salt, gypsum, dolomite and calcite, also influenced by other processes such as evaporation, ion exchange, and deposition. Based on tritium content in atmospheric precipitation and by adopting a model with exponential time distribution function, the mean residence time of the unconfined aquifer groundwater with fairly high tritium activities (21–49 TU) is evaluated. The results show that these groundwaters have low residence time (5–120 years) and are renewable. In contrast, the deep confined groundwaters are tritium-free and radiocarbon values range from 18.3 to 26.7 pmc. According to the most commonly used ¹⁴C correction models, the radiocarbon groundwater ages were calculated which yield ages of approximately 4,087–9,364 years BP. Isotopic signatures indicate formation of deep confined groundwaters in a colder and wetter climate during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. It is suggested that long-term, rational water usage guide should be set up for the Heihe River Basin as a whole to permit a considerable discharge to the Ejina Basin.     

黑河流域中游盆地地下水动态特征及其调蓄能力分析

40 多年来,我国西北地区大规模的地下水开发利用造成了部分地区地下水水位持续下降甚至泉水干涸,部分地区地下水仍能维持动态稳定,判断这类地区水资源开发利用是否具有可持续性是必须解决的重大科学问题。以黑河流域中游盆地作为研究对象,采用MK检验和连续小波分析等方法,分析长时间序列地下水水位数据的变化特点,研究区域地下水动态特征;结合区域水文地质条件,综合划分黑河流域中游盆地地下水补排平衡区与非平衡区;利用克里金插值法估算1990—2020 年盆地含水层对水资源的调节水量,并评价不同动态平衡区的调蓄能力。结果显示,黑河流域中游盆地地下水水位动态类型有:水文型、水文-开采型、开采型和蒸发-开采型4种长周期动态稳定型,过量开采型或上游过度引用地表水型2 种长周期持续下降型。黑河-梨园河倾斜平原、酒泉盆地和黑河中游下段侵蚀堆积平原的大厚度含水层是黑河流域中游盆地的地下水补排平衡区,其在1990—2001 年共输出地下水12.06×108 m3,2001—2020年共储存地下水9.06×108 m3。大厚度含水层为地下水的长周期调蓄提供了充足的空间,在合理控制开采量的前提下,该类含水层的天然调蓄能力可满足生产生活和下游生态用水需要。盆地地下水补排非平衡区,如黑河以东诸河倾斜平原、盐池盆地和榆木山山前诸小河流域等地区,目前的地下水开发利用方式和强度是不可持续的,应适当减少地下水开采量,调节盆地上游的引水量和开采量,抑制地下水资源枯竭。本研究成果可为西北干旱内陆地区水资源管理和持续开发利用提供参考。     

Analysis of the exchange of groundwater and river water by using Radon-222 in the middle Heihe Basin of northwestern China

In arid regions of western China, water resources come from mountain watersheds and disappear in the desert plain. The exchange of surface water and groundwater takes place two or three times in a basin. It is essential to analyze the interaction of groundwater with surface water to use water resources effectively and predict the change in the water environment. The conventional method of analysis, however, measures only the flow of a stream and cannot determine groundwater seepage accurately. As the concentration of Radon-222 (²²²Rn) in groundwater is much higher than in surface water, the use of ²²²Rn was examined as an indicator for the analysis of the interaction between surface water and groundwater. Measurement of the ²²²Rn concentration in surface water was conducted to detect groundwater seepage into a stream in the middle Heihe Basin of northwestern China. Furthermore, the simultaneous groundwater flow into and out of a stream from the aquifers was quantified by solving the ²²²Rn mass balance equation, in which the losses of gas exchange and radioactive decay of ²²²Rn are considered. Meanwhile, river runoff was gauged to determine the exchange rates between surface water and groundwater. The result shows that ²²²Rn isotope can be used as a good environmental tracer with high sensitivity for the interaction between surface water and groundwater, especially in the fractured aquifer system, karst aquifer system and discharge basins.     

Hydrochemical characteristics and salinity of groundwater in the Ejina Basin, Northwestern China

A hydrochemical investigation was conducted in the Ejina Basin to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and the salinity of groundwater. The results indicate that groundwater in the area is brackish and are significantly zonation in salinity and water types from the recharge area to the discharge area. The ionic ration plot and saturation index (SI) calculation suggest that the silicate rock weathering and evaporation deposition are the dominant processes that determine the major ionic composition in the study area. Most of the stable isotope δ¹⁸O and δD compositions in the groundwater is a meteoric water feature, indicating that the groundwater mainly sources from meteoric water and most groundwater undergoes a long history of evaporation. Based on radioactive isotope tritium (³H) analysis, the groundwater ages were approximately estimated in different aquifers. The groundwater age ranges from less than 5 years, between 5 years and 50 years, and more than 50 years. Within 1 km of the river water influence zone, the groundwater recharges from recent Heihe river water and the groundwater age is about less than 5 years in shallow aquifer. From 1 km to 10 km of the river water influence zone, the groundwater sources from the mixture waters and the groundwater age is between 5 years and 50 years in shallow aquifer. The groundwater age is more than 50 years in deep confined aquifer.     

黑河流域地表水与地下水转换关系的几点质疑

张掖、高台和临泽沿着黑河一带泉水总量在（10-13）×108m3/a之间，泉水对张掖地区的农业生长、生态环境、工业和人民生活极为重要，近年来虽然泉水量在减少，但基本保持稳定状态。对于泉水的补给来源基本被认为是由黑河等地表径流转换而来的，认为河流在山区排泄地下径流，进入山前平原以后，变成河水补给地下水，而在适当条件下地下水以泉的形式溢出地面，因此构成地表水与地下水相互转换的复杂过程。很多人认识这种过程是水循环的一个组成部分，其表现形式为河水渗漏-溢出-再渗漏-再溢出等，是一种反复转化过程，并称此过程为水资源相互转化多巡回性。笔者结合同位素分析对这种地表水-地下水-泉水-地下水-泉水的多次转换模式产生一定质疑。     

Environmental isotopic study on the recharge and residence time of groundwater in the Heihe River Basin, northwestern China

The recharge and origin of groundwater and its residence time were studied using environmental isotopic measurements in samples from the Heihe River Basin, China. δ¹⁸O and δD values of both river water and groundwater were within the same ranges as those found in the alluvial fan zone, and lay slightly above the local meteoric water line (δD=6.87δ¹⁸O+3.54). This finding indicated that mountain rivers substantially and rapidly contribute to the water resources in the southern and northern sub-basins. δ¹⁸O and δD values of groundwater in the unconfined aquifers of these sub-basins were close to each other. There was evidence of enrichment of heavy isotopes in groundwater due to evaporation. The most pronounced increase in the δ¹⁸O value occurred in agricultural areas, reflecting the admixture of irrigation return flow. Tritium results in groundwater samples from the unconfined aquifers gave evidence for ongoing recharge, with mean residence times of: less than 36 years in the alluvial fan zone; about 12–16 years in agricultural areas; and about 26 years in the Ejina oasis. In contrast, groundwater in the confined aquifers had ¹⁴C ages between 0 and 10 ka BP.     

Tracing runoff components in the headwater area of Heihe River by isotopes and hydrochemistry

Since water resources of the Heihe River Basin are primarily in the form of surface runoff in the Qilian Mountains, identifying its sources and components is essential for researchers to understand water cycling and transformation in the basin. It will help to properly exploit water resources, and contribute to ecological environment construction. The paper uses the isotope data of hydrogen and oxygen in water and hydrochemistry data collected at a high altitude to trace the sources of surface runoff in Heihe River in rainy season and uses the three-component mixing model to estimate the contribution of each component to runoff. Results indicate that surface water consists of precipitation, melt water and groundwater, with precipitation being the primary component and contributing to 59%–64% of runoff. Melt water and groundwater account for 15%–25% and 12%–22%, respectively. Precipitation accounts for 60%, groundwater for 22% and glacial melt water for 18% of the outflow in the main stream of the Heihe River. The composition is of great significance for water cycling and conversion research as well as water resource evaluation and management.