Spatial characteristics of hydrochemistry and stable isotopes in river and groundwater, and runoff components in the Shule River Basin, Northeastern of Tibet Plateau

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2024-01, Vol.349, p.119512-119512, Article 119512
• Main Authors: Xie, Cong, Liu, Hang, Li, Xingru, Zhao, Haichen, Dong, Xiying, Ma, Keke, Wang, Ninglian, Zhao, Liangju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrograph separation; Major ions; Shule river basin; Stable isotopes
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119512

Water resources play a crucial role in constraining the high-quality development of the arid, necessitating an in-depth investigation and understanding of hydrological processes, hydrochemical characteristics, and their influencing factors amidst climate change. This study meticulously examined and analyzed the hydrochemistry and stable isotope composition (δ18O and δD) of river and groundwater within the Shule River Basin (SRB). Results showed that both river (mean: 8.01) and groundwater (mean: 7.92) had alkaline pH values, while average total dissolved solids were measured at 709.25 mg/L in river and 861.88 mg/L in groundwater, indicating predominance of fresh water sources. HCO3−, SO42−, Na+ and Ca2+ were the most abundant ions, influenced by evaporation-crystallization processes and rock weathering. The dominated hydrochemical facies in both river and groundwater were Ca–HCO3 type in the upper (UR) and the middle reaches (MR), while Ca–Mg–Cl type in the lower reaches (LR). The local meteoric water line (LMWL) was defined as δD = 8.01δ18O + 18.48 (R2 = 0.98, n = 163; P