Mehrjährige Ergebnisse über den Einfluß von Hochbelastungen mit künstlich-biologisch gereinigten kommunalem Abwasser auf die Sickerwasserbeschaffenheit

Biologically purified wastewater in ten doses of 50 and 400 mm per year was given into sand-filled lysimeters of 1 m² area and 1 m depth which were vegetated with Lolium perenne (forage rye) and green maize all the year round. The experimental results gained in the course of five summer half-years and four winter half-years were evaluated with respect to the purification efficiency of the soil-plant system. The results demonstrate a high efficiency of the system with mean annual elimination performances of 86 and 40% for BOD₅, and COD-Cr, resp., as well as 49, 86 and 52% for N, P and K, resp., at mean concentrations in mg/l for BOD₅?1.3, COD-Cr?34.1, N?18.1, P?0.4 and K?9 in the percolating water from a soil depth of 1 m. The lysimeters which had been supplied with wastewater were not treated with mineral fertilizer. Intermingling with 1 kg/m² straw brings about an increase of the loads of K and P as well as COD-Cr in the percolating water and a reduction of the N-loads, besides an increase in yield. All in all, for four years the performance has been stable without any temporal trend.     

Bathing waters: New directive, new standards, new quality approach

Bathing water quality is an important public health issue, mainly because of fecal contamination. In 2006, the European Commission (EC) adopted a new directive with respect to recreational bathing waters that calls for stricter standards and reduces the number of laboratory tests done in routine beach monitoring from nineteen to two bacterial indicators, namely, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, replacing policies of the EC Bathing Water Directive that have existed since 1976. Our practice in Portugal is in line with this international development, and this study demonstrates the equivalency of the new bacteriological parameters with the old. The water quality of 25 coastal beaches was surveyed using both new and old microbiological indicators of fecal contamination. Statistical analysis demonstrated equivalency of the results obtained for fecal coliforms with Escherichia coli and for fecal streptococci with intestinal enterococci.     

Beiträge zur Dynamik der Biomasse in Oxydationsteichen,Teil 4: Untersuchungen an einer hochbelasteten abflußlosen Abwasserteichanlage (Fäkaldeponie Ückeritz)

The system consists of three preliminary clarifiers and two ponds operating in series. It drains 100,000 to 120,000 m³ highly loaded wastewater per year over the ground. In dependence on load, in the pond 1 a midsummer-time bacterial maximum of up to 800 m³/l occurs. The algal biomass, too, shows an annual curve with one peak; the maximum is independent of the ice cover and varies with the seasons. The BOD₅ shows a spring maximum and a summer maximum independent of the biomasses and their variations. In the second pond only slight changes are found from June till October; here prevail algae and a maximum of flagellates. Although a stage of filtrators and consumers is lacking, the system can be regarded as a sewage pond system with a reduction of BOD₅ by 73%.     

Spatial and temporal variability of stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) in surface waters of arid,mountainous Central Asia

Characterization of spatial and temporal variability of stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) of surface waters is essential to interpret hydrological processes and establish modern isotope–elevation gradients across mountainous terrains. Here, we present stable isotope data for river waters across Kyrgyzstan. River water isotopes exhibit substantial spatial heterogeneity among different watersheds in Kyrgyzstan. Higher river water isotope values were found mainly in the Issyk‐Kul Lake watershed, whereas waters in the Son‐Kul Lake watershed display lower values. Results show a close δ¹⁸O–δ²H relation between river water and the local meteoric water line, implying that river water experiences little evaporative enrichment. River water from the high‐elevation regions (e.g., Naryn and Son‐Kul Lake watershed) had the most negative isotope values, implying that river water is dominated by snowmelt. Higher deuterium excess (average d = 13.9‰) in river water probably represents the isotopic signature of combined contributions from direct precipitation and glacier melt in stream discharge across Kyrgyzstan. A significant relationship between river water δ¹⁸O and elevation was observed with a vertical lapse rate of 0.13‰/100 m. These findings provide crucial information about hydrological processes across Kyrgyzstan and contribute to a better understanding of the paleoclimate/elevation reconstruction of this region.     

Zur Schlußreinigung konzentrierter Zuckerfabrikabwässer

The most important measure is that the freshwater demand of 0.5 m³ per t beet processing is strictly kept to or fallen below, to which a catalogue of measures with ten points is presented. The wastewaters which cannot be used again have to be stored prior to the final purification in order to compensate for quantities and concentrations, aerated storage ponds being successful for small sugar factories as the purification technology. For this, three cases are described as examples: supplementary equipment of two anaerobic ponds with a rod-roll aeration, by which within two months (May to July) the BOD₃ is reduced from 1,200 to 11 mg/l. The aeration of a pond of 12.5 ha (370,000 … 500,000 m³) by means of a centrifugal aerator (45 kW) does not lead to completely aerobic conditions: Accumulation up to 350 t BOD₅, 200 t organic acids at a reduction of 100 t sulphate, 45 t of which being converted via sulphides by photoautotrophic sulphur bacteria. This combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes is very economical. At aeration with ca. 1 W/m³ in the third case in summer there are achieved wastewater loads which are of a receiving-water quality.     

Evaluation of chemical composition changes of surface water in Boguchan Reservoir (Siberia,Russia)

Abstract

Mathematical transformation models of TDS (total dissolved salts) and organic substance concentration as BOD₅ (biochemical oxygen demand) in water of the Angara River and the proposed Boguchan Reservoir have been developed. Having filled the reservoir to a water level of 208 m, in an average year it is shown that increase in surface water mineralization is expected in the cross-section of Boguchan Hydroelectric Power Station giving TDS of up to 20–40 mg/dm³, and values of BOD₅ will increase to 2.0–3.9 mgO₂/dm³. In a low-water year the value of BOD₅ may be as great as 5 mgO₂/dm³; mineralization, in contrast, decreases. Several years after reservoir filling, the values of BOD₅ would decrease, but water quality of the upper part of the reservoir would still depend on the degree of treatment of wastewater discharged to it.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis

Citation Savichev, O.G. and Matveenko, I.A., 2013. Evaluation of chemical composition changes of surface water in Boguchan Reservoir (Siberia, Russia). Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (3), 706–715.     

Surveillance of Invasive Bacterial Pathogens and Human Enteric Viruses in Wastewater Final Effluents and Receiving Water Bodies – a Case Study from Durban,South Africa

The physico‐chemical characteristics and microbial composition of the final effluents of two municipal wastewater treatment plants in South Africa were assessed between July and September 2009. The impact of the treated final effluents on the receiving water bodies was also evaluated. The temperature across all sampling points ranged between 14 and 22°C, while pH varied from 6.9 to 7.6. High levels of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and orthophosphate (PO₄) were observed in many cases. Turbidity of the samples was in the range of 2.2–288.6 NTU. The concentrations (mg/L) of other physico‐chemical parameters are as follows: COD (9.33–289); ammonia (0.000340–45.4); nitrate (0.062–539); nitrite (0.021–22.6); PO₄ (5.3–33.2). The microbial quality of the effluents discharged from the plants did not comply with the limits set by the South African guidelines with respect to pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, total coliform, faecal coliform, enterococci, faecal streptococci, and viral particles for effluents intended for discharge into receiving watersheds. This study revealed an undesirable impact on the physico‐chemical and microbial qualities of the receiving water bodies as a result of the discharge of inadequately treated effluents from the wastewater treatment facilities. This poses a health risk to several rural communities which rely on the receiving water bodies primarily as their sources of domestic water and recreational purposes. There is therefore a need for the intervention of appropriate regulatory agencies in South Africa to ensure compliance of treatment facilities with wastewater effluent quality standards.     

Factors controlling the chemical evolution of travertine‐depositing rivers of the Barkly karst,northern Australia

Groundwaters feeding travertine‐depositing rivers of the northeastern segment of the Barkly karst (NW Queensland, Australia) are of comparable chemical composition, allowing a detailed investigation of how the rate of downstream chemical evolution varies from river to river. The discharge, pH, temperature, conductivity and major‐ion concentrations of five rivers were determined by standard field and laboratory techniques. The results show that each river experiences similar patterns of downstream chemical evolution, with CO₂ outgassing driving the waters to high levels of calcite supersaturation, which in turn leads to widespread calcium carbonate deposition. However, the rate at which the waters evolve, measured as the loss of CaCO₃ per kilometre, varies from river to river, and depends primarily upon discharge at the time of sampling and stream gradient. For example, Louie Creek (Q = 0·11 m³ s^?1) and Carl Creek (Q = 0·50 m³ s^?1) have identical stream gradients, but the loss of CaCO₃ per kilometre for Louie Creek is twice that of Carl Creek. The Gregory River (Q = 3·07 m³ s^?1), O'Shanassy River (Q = 0·57 m³ s^?1) and Lawn Hill Creek (Q = 0·72 m³ s^?1) have very similar gradients, but the rate of hydrochemical evolution of the Gregory River is significantly less than either of the other two systems. The results have major implications for travertine deposition: the stream reach required for waters to evolve to critical levels of calcite supersaturation will, all others things being equal, increase with increasing discharge, and the length of reach over which travertine is deposited will also increase with increasing discharge. This implies that fossil travertine deposits preserved well downstream of modern deposition limits are likely to have been formed under higher discharge regimes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation waters discharge to rivers near oil sands projects

Groundwater discharges in the western Canadian oil sands region impact river water quality. Mapping groundwater discharges to rivers in the oil sands region is important to target water quality monitoring efforts and to ensure injected wastewater and steam remain sequestered rather than eventually resurfacing. Saline springs composed of Pleistocene‐aged glacial meltwater exist in the region, but their spatial distribution has not been mapped comprehensively. Here we show that formation waters discharge into 3 major rivers as they flow through the Athabasca Oil Sands Region adjacent to many active oil sands projects. These discharges increase river chloride concentrations from river headwaters to downstream reaches by factors of ~23 in the Christina River, ~4 in the Clearwater River, and ~5 in the Athabasca River. Our survey provides further evidence for the substantial impact of formation water discharges on river water quality, even though they comprise less than ~2% of total streamflow. Geochemical evidence supporting formation water discharges as the leading control on river salinity include increases in river chloride concentrations, Na/(Na + Ca) ratios, Cl/(Cl + SO₄) ratios and decreases in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios; each mixing trend is consistent with saline groundwater discharges sourced from Cretaceous or Devonian aquifers. These regional subsurface‐to‐surface connections signify that injected wastewater or steam may potentially resurface in the future, emphasizing the critical importance of mapping groundwater flow paths to understand present‐day streamflow quality and to predict the potential for injected fluids to resurface.     

Hydrogeochemical balance of forest umbrisol profiles (‘Sierra de Gata’, central western Spain)

Three techniques for obtaining soil water solutions (gravitational and matrical waters extracted using both in situ tension lysimeters and in vitro pressure chambers) and their later chemical analysis were performed in order to know the evolution of the soil‐solution composition when water moves down through the soil, from the Ah soil horizon to the BwC‐ or C‐horizons of forest soils located in western Spain. Additionally, ion concentrations and water volumes of input waters to soil (canopy washout) and exported waters (drainage solutions from C‐horizons) were determined to establish the net balance of solutes in order to determine the rates of leaching or retention of ions. A generalized process of sorption or retention of most components (even Cl^?) was observed, from the soil surface to the C‐horizon, in both gravitational and matrical waters, with H₄SiO₄, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, and SO₄^2? being the net exported components from the soil through the groundwater. These results enhance the role of the recycling effect in these forest soils. The net percentages of elements retained in these forest soils, considering the inputs and the outputs balance, were 68% K⁺, 85% Ca²⁺, 58% Mg²⁺, 7% Al³⁺, 5% Fe³⁺, 34% Zn²⁺, 57% Cl^?, and 20% NO₃^?, and about 75% of dissolved organic carbon was mineralized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling fecal contamination in the Aljezur coastal stream (Portugal)

This study aims at understanding the fecal contamination behavior in a small coastal stream (Aljezur, Portugal), which has significant economic and ecological values. Like in most small coastal systems, circulation and water renewal in the Aljezur stream exhibit a strong variability due to their dependence on tides, waves, intermittent river flows, and a highly variable morphology. Hence, the problem was approached through a combination of field surveys and the development and application of a hard-coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic and fecal contamination model. Salinity and temperature results have shown that mixing and transport in the stream are very sensitive to the river flow and wind forcing. The model is able to represent the main patterns and trends observed in Escherichia coli and fecal enterococcus concentrations along the stream, for different environmental and contamination conditions, suggesting die-off rates on the order of 0.50–0.55 day⁻¹. Die-off rate and the representation of the sediment-associated processes were identified as the major remaining sources of uncertainty in the model. Results show that, owing to the processes that occur along the stream, fecal bacteria reach the beaches water in numbers that comply with the European Bathing Waters Directive, even during the summer periods when the upstream concentrations are larger. In particular, results suggest a direct relation between the tidal propagation upstream and the reduction of the fecal bacteria concentrations along the stream that can be relevant for the development of a strategy for the management of the system’s water safety.     

Detecting Virus‐Like Particles from the Umgeni River,South Africa

It is important to consider viruses in water quality because of their incidence as causal agents for diarrhoeal disease, and due to their characteristics, which allow them to survive in changing environmental conditions indefinitely. This study assessed the viral quality of the Umgeni River in South Africa seasonally. A two‐step tangential flow filtration process was setup to remove the bacteria and to concentrate the virus populations from large volume water samples. The concentrated water samples contained up to 659 and 550 pfu/mL of somatic and F‐RNA coliphages, respectively. Several virus families including Adenoviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Poxviridae and Reoviridae were found in the river based on the morphologies examined under transmission electron microscopy. All concentrated water samples produced substantial cytopathic effects on the Vero, HEK 293, Hela and A549 cell lines. These results indicate the potential of viruses in the water samples especially from the lower catchment areas of the Umgeni River to infect human hosts throughout the year. The present study highlights the importance of routine environmental surveillance of human enteric viruses in water sources. This can contribute to a better understanding of the actual burden of disease on those who might be using the water directly without treatment.

     

Simulation von Variablen der Fließgewässerqualität mittels Mehrfachregressionen

There are investigated the variables O₂, BOD₅, seston, NO₃-N, NH₄-N and o-PO₄ from at least five-year series of five stations along a river section of 50 km. After exclusion of a linear trend and substraction of the individual monthly mean values from the monthly mean of many years in order to eliminate the effect of the annual variation as well as testing for normal distribution, first the correlation coefficients of the variables to the flow rate Q and the temperatures of air and water are determined, which show directional changes just in the longitudinal profile of the river. The same holds for the correlation of the variables between the measuring points. From this the model structure is derived, according to which the concentration at one measuring station can be simulated by multiple regression to Q and T at the same level as well as the concentration at the upper level. The results are discussed in detail and evaluated with respect to their inclusion in longterm management models of water quantity management.     

A simplified approach to analysing historical and recent tritium data in surface waters

Tritium concentrations in river and stream waters from different locations can be compared by normalizing them using the ratio of tritium concentrations in precipitation and surface water (C_p/C_s) in the study area. This study uses these ratios in a hydrological residence time context to make regional‐ and global‐scale comparisons about river basin dynamics. Prior to the advent of nuclear weapons testing, the C_p/C_s ratio was greater than or equal to 1 everywhere because of the decay of tritium in the watershed after it was deposited by precipitation. After an initial increase in the ratios during the bomb peak, the ratio dropped to less than 1 for most surface waters in the following years. This post‐bomb change in the ratio is due to the retention of the bomb‐pulse water in watersheds on timescales that are long relative to the residence time of tritium in the atmosphere. Ratios were calculated for over 6500 measurements of tritium in river and stream waters compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency. These measurements span the post‐nuclear era (1940s to present) and include many long‐term datasets, which make it possible to examine residence times of waters in watersheds on a global basis. Plotting C_p/C_s versus time shows that ratios tended to reach a minimum in approximately one to two decades after the bomb peak for most locations. This result suggests that changes affecting quantity and quality of river flows need to be assessed on a multi‐decadal timescale. These long lag times have significant implications for assessing climate or land‐use change impacts on a large number of river systems around the world. The continuing value of tritium in studying surface water systems for both the Southern and Northern Hemisphere is also demonstrated. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Modern stable isotopic (δ18O, δ2H, δ13C) variation in terrestrial,fluvial, estuarine and marine waters from north‐central Sarawak,Malaysian Borneo

Stable isotope data on humid tropical hydrology are scarce and, at present, no such data exist for Borneo. Delta¹⁸O, δ²H and δ¹³C were analysed on 22 water samples from different parts of the Sungai (river) Niah basin (rain, cave drip, rainforest pool, tributary stream, river, estuary, sea) in north‐central Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. This was done to improve understanding of the modern stable isotope systematics of the Sungai Niah basin, essential for the palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Late Quaternary stable isotope proxies preserved in the Great Cave of Niah. The Niah hydrology data are put into a regional context using the meteoric water line for Southeast Asia, as derived from International Atomic Energy Agency/World Meteorological Organization isotopes in precipitation network data. Although the Niah hydrological data‐set is relatively small, spatial isotopic variability was found for the different subenvironments of the Sungai Niah basin. A progressive enrichment occurs towards the South China Sea (δ¹⁸O ?4·6‰; δ²H ?29·3‰; δ¹³C ?4·8‰) from the tributary stream (δ¹⁸O ?8·4‰; δ²H ?54·7‰; δ¹³C ?14·5‰) to up‐river (δ¹⁸O c. ?8‰; δ²H c. ?51‰; δ¹³C c. ?12‰) and down‐river values (δ¹⁸O c. ?7·5‰; δ²H c. ?45‰; δ¹³C c. ?11‰). This is thought to reflect differential evaporation and mixing of different components of the water cycle and a combination of depleted biogenic δ¹³C (plant respiration and decay) with enriched δ¹³C values (due to photosynthesis, atmospheric exchange, mixing with limestone and marine waters) downstream. Cave drip waters are relatively enriched in δ¹³C as compared to the surface waters. This may indicate rapid degassing of the cave drips as they enter the cave atmosphere. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dimethylsulfoxidreduktase-Aktivität Charakterisierung der mikrobiellen Biomasseaktivität im Schlamm einer belüfteten Abwasserteichanlage

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reduction Method for the Characterization of Biomass Activity in Sludge of an Aerated Lagoon The microbial biomass activity was studied in sludge from a wastewater lagoon (Hatzbachtal) which consisted of 4 aerated ponds and one polishing pond. The lagoon was characterized by low BOD₅ loading and high dilution because of water from the surroundings. Sludge samples were taken from 4 sampling sites of each aerated pond and from one site of the polishing pond. The biomass activity in the sludge samples was analysed with the help of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DRA) and dehydrogenase (DHA) activity. In addition, C_org-content was also determined. The effect of different reaction parameters on the DRA was studied in relation to incubation period, temperature and atmosphere as well as sludge weight and pH value. The results presented here show that a linear increase in the DRA occured for the sludge weight ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 g, incubation period from 0.5 to 11 h and incubation temperature from 20 to 50 °C. The pH spectrum from acidic to neutral did not effect the DMS formation in sludge. Although the values for DRA were always higher in anaerobic incubation of sludge than in aerobic incubation, the courses of the DRA in both conditions were parallel. Comparing the biomass activity in sludge from different sampling sites of the aerated ponds, the average C_org-content was found to be reflected by the DRA and DHA. Further, the variation in the DRA could represent also the influence of oxygen concentration. Therefore, a reduction in biomass activities indicated a decline in the availability of oxygen.     

Isotopic geochemistry of acid thermal waters and volcanic gases from Zaō volcano in Japan

The chemical composition and D/H, and ratios have been determined for the acid hot waters and volcanic gases discharging from Zaō volcano in Japan. The thermal springs in Zaō volcano issue acid sulfate-chloride type waters (Zaō) and acid sulfate type waters (Kamoshika). Gases emitted at Kamoshika fumaroles are rich in CO₂, SO₂ and N₂, exclusive of H₂O. Chloride concentrations and oxygen isotope data indicate that the Zaō thermal waters issue a fluid mixture from an acid thermal reservoir and meteoric waters from shallow aquifers. The waters in the Zaō volcanic system have slight isotopic shifts from the respective local meteoric values. The isotopic evidence indicates that most of the water in the system is meteoric in origin. Sulfates in Zaō acid sulfate-chloride waters with δ³⁴S values of around +15‰, are enriched in ³⁴S compared to Zaō H₂S, while the acid sulfate waters at Kamoshika contain supergene light sulfate (δ³⁴S = + 4‰) derived from volcanic sulfur dioxide from the volcanic exhalations. The sulfur species in Zaō acid waters are lighter in δ³⁴S than those of other volcanic areas, reflecting the difference in total pressure.     

梯级筑坝对黑河水质时空分布特征的影响

为探究梯级大坝建设对河流水质变化规律的影响,将黑河上中游划分为坝上河段、坝下河段及自然河段,于2017年12月-2018年8月选取了24个主要控制断面进行水质调查,并采用多元统计的方法对比分析了不同时空尺度上的水质分布特征.结果表明:黑河上中游水质时空变化的主要影响因子为水温(WT)、pH值、溶解氧(DO)、电导率(EC)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和五日生化需氧量(BOD_5).空间尺度上,WT、EC、BOD_5、高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)、TN等指标具有显著性差异,其中坝上河段受BOD_5、CODMn影响较大,自然河段WT、EC和TN为关键指标,而各个因子对坝下河段水质影响较小.时间尺度上,WT、EC、BOD_5、氨氮与季节变化存在明显相关性,是不同河段水质时间变化的控制因子,且大多数水质因子在非汛期变化最明显.降水、温度、水文条件等季节性影响因素和梯级水库联合运用模式是该区域水质时间差异的主要原因;空间差异主要受祁连、张掖地区外源性污染物排放以及筑坝环境下水动力条件改变而产生的沉积滞留效应和沿程累积效应影响.研究表明,外源性污染源依然是导致水质变差的主要因素,梯级筑坝则是导致水质变差的间接因素.因此控制该区域人类活动所造成的外源性污染源,并针对不同种类污染物的季节变化特征实施合理的水库运行方式是改善水电梯级开发河段水质状况的关键.     

Zur ökonomischen Bedeutung der biologischen Selbstreinigung

In twelve flowing water (Q 1.04… 30.4 m³/s, 0.5… 1.2 m/s) the self-purification efficiency in 110 river sections (L 1.3… 26.4 km) is determined as the load difference in kg · d^?1 COD-Mn as well as in g · m^?3 referred to the daily passage. In the economical comparison, the self-purification efficiency is valued as substitution for wastewater treatment plants of the same capacity. At a mean specific capacity of 8.6 g · m^?3, the self-purification efficiency of the investigated waters is equivalent to economical values of 124 · 10³… 534 · 10³ M km^?1 investment costs, 11 · 10³… 80 · 10³ M · a^?1km^?1 operating costs and 5… 81 MWh · a^?1 km^?1 expenditure of energy. The specific capacity in g · m^?3 COD-Mn shows an exponential regression to the degree of saprobity (L = 0.015 · exp (1.7358 · S)). From this empirical model the limits of the self-purification capacity of aerobic waters by oxygen input can be detected: in respective examples more than 50% of the required oxygen input are due to weirs.     

Stable isotopic and geochemical identification of groundwater evolution and recharge sources in the arid Shule River Basin of Northwestern China

Stable isotopic (δD_VSMOW and δ¹⁸O_VSMOW) and geochemical signatures were employed to constrain the geochemical evolution and sources of groundwater recharge in the arid Shule River Basin, Northwestern China, where extensive groundwater extraction occurs for agricultural and domestic supply. Springs in the mountain front of the Qilian Mountains, the Yumen‐Tashi groundwater (YTG), and the Guazhou groundwater (GZG) were Ca‐HCO₃, Ca‐Mg‐HCO₃‐SO₄ and Na‐Mg‐SO₄‐Cl type waters, respectively. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and major ion (Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, SO₄^2?, Cl^? and NO₃^?) concentrations of groundwater gradually increase from the mountain front to the lower reaches of the Guazhou Basin. Geochemical evolution in groundwater was possibly due to a combination of mineral dissolution, mixing processes and evapotranspiration along groundwater flow paths. The isotopic and geochemical variations in melt water, springs, river water, YTG and GZG, together with the end‐member mixing analysis (EMMA) indicate that the springs in the mountain front mainly originate from precipitation, the infiltration of melt water and river in the upper reaches; the lateral groundwater from the mountain front and river water in the middle reaches are probably effective recharge sources for the YTG, while contribution of precipitation to YTG is extremely limited; the GZG is mainly recharged by lateral groundwater flow from the Yumen‐Tashi Basin and irrigation return flow. The general characteristics of groundwater in the Shule River Basin have been initially identified, and the results should facilitate integrated management of groundwater and surface water resources in the study area. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.