Hydrochemical and hydrological processes in the different landscape zones of alpine cold region in China |
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Authors: | Yong-gang Yang Hong-lang Xiao Song-bing Zou Liang-ju Zhao Mao-xian Zhou Lan-gong Hou Fang Wang |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, No. 92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, China;(2) Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology and River Basin Science, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China;(3) State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China |
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Abstract: | Investigation of water sources and flow pathways is crucial to understand and evaluate the characteristics of surface water
and groundwater systems. This article aims to identify the hydrochemical and hydrological processes in different landscape
zones based on hydrochemical analyses of various samples, including samples from glacier, snow, frozen soil meltwater, surface
water, groundwater, and precipitation, in the alpine cold region of China. Hydrochemical tracers indicated that chemical compositions
are characterized by the Ca-HCO3 type in the glacier-snow zone; the Mg-Ca-SO4 type in the alpine cold desert zone; the Ca-HCO3-SO4 type in the marsh meadow zone; the Ca-Mg-HCO3 type in the alpine shrub zone; and the Ca-Na-SO4 type in the mountain grassland zone. An end-member mixing model was used for hydrograph separation. The results showed that
the Mafengou River in the wet season was recharged by groundwater in the alpine cold desert and alpine shrub zones (67%),
surface runoff in the glacier-snow zone (11%), surface runoff in the alpine cold desert zone (8%), thawed water from frozen
soil in the marsh meadow and mountain grassland zones (9%), and direct precipitation on the river channel (5%). This study
suggests that precipitation from the whole catchment yielded little direct surface runoff; precipitation was mostly transformed
into groundwater or interflow and was then concentrated into the river channel. This study provides a scientific basis for
evaluation and management of water resources in the basin. |
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