CollectHomepage AdvertisementContact usMessage

Arid Land Geography ›› 2023, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 201-210.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2022.228

• Hydrology and Water Resources • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics of groundwater in Ebinur Lake Basin using isotopes method

LIU Jingming1,2,3(),DING Jianli1,2(),BAO Qingling1,2,3,ZHANG Zipeng1,2,3,JIANG Leipeng1,2,3,QU Yi1,2,3   

  1. 1. College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, China
    2. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, China
    3. Key Laboratory of Smart City and Environment Modelling of Higher Education Institute, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2022-05-18 Revised:2022-06-14 Online:2023-02-25 Published:2023-03-14

Abstract:

Groundwater is important for regulating the water cycle and ecosystem in arid areas. Understanding and managing groundwater resources is the key to preventing the reduction of river baseflow, ground subsidence and water quality degradation. Therefore, this study analyzed the groundwater chemical parameters and hydrogen-oxygen stable isotope characteristics of the Ebinur Lake Basin, Xinjiang, China, and explored the sources of groundwater recharge, dynamic changes of water chemical components in different regions by combining linear regression, two-terminal mixed model and GIS spatial analysis. The results showed that: (1) Different circulation processes of groundwater existed in different areas of the Ebinur Lake Basin, with the largest of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) in the middle and lower reaches of the Bortala and Jing Rivers, followed by the area around Lake Ebinur Basin, and the smallest in the upper Bortala River area. (2) Deuterium excess parameter (d-excess) parameter and hydrochemical composition of groundwater reflected different groundwater recharge mechanisms and influencing factors. Groundwater in the upper Bortala River area was mainly recharged by glacial snow melt water. The main sources of groundwater in the middle and lower reaches of the Bortala and Jing Rivers were surface water and precipitation, which were also greatly influenced by the nature of rock formations, farmland development and irrigation measures. Groundwater around Lake Ebinur Basin mainly came from snow and ice melt and precipitation. The middle and lower reaches and groundwater in the river and lake confluence areas are the key areas for pollution prevention and control and management. (3) Different hydraulic connections existed in underground aquifers. The electrical conductance (EC) of flow system I ranged from 210.00 μS·cm-1 to 2500.00 μS·cm-1, and the d-excess ranged from 6.47‰ to 9.70‰. The EC of flow system II ranged from 141.60 μS·cm-1 to 5260.00 μS·cm-1, and the d-excess ranged from 9.61‰ to 17.45‰. In conclusion, this study investigated the driving mechanisms of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and water chemistry in groundwater in the Lake Ebinur Basin, which provided some theoretical reference for the rational use and scientific development of groundwater resources in the basin.

Key words: hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, hydrochemical composition, groundwater recharge, groundwater flow system, Ebinur Lake Basin