Abstract
Groundwater recharge and evolution in the Shule River basin, Northwest China, was investigated by a combination of hydrogeochemical tracers, stable isotopes, and radiocarbon methods. Results showed the general chemistry of the groundwater is of SO4 2− type. Water–rock reactions of halite, Glauber’s salt, gypsum and celestite, and reverse ionic exchange dictated the groundwater chemistry evolution, increasing concentrations of Cl−, Na+, SO4 2−, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Sr2+ in the groundwater. The δ18O and δ2H values of groundwater ranged from −10.8 to −7.7 and −74.4 to −53.1 ‰, respectively. Modern groundwater was identified in the proluvial fan and the shallow aquifer of the fine soil plain, likely as a result of direct infiltration of rivers and irrigation returns. Deep groundwater was depleted in heavy isotopes with 14C ages ranging from 3,000 to 26,000 years, suggesting palaeowater that was recharged during the late Pleistocene and middle Holocene epochs under a cold climate. These results have important implications for groundwater management in the Shule River basin, since large amounts of groundwater are effectively being mined and a water-use strategy is urgently needed.
Résumé
L’évolution et la recharge des eaux souterraines dans le bassin de la rivière Shule, au Nord-Ouest de la Chine, ont été étudiées par une approche combinée des méthodes des traceurs hydrogéochimiques, des isotopes stables et du radiocarbone. Les résultats ont montré que la chimie générale des eaux souterraines est de type sulfatée. Les réactions entre l’eau et les roches constituées de halite, mirabilite, gypse et célestine, et les réactions d’échanges ioniques gouvernent l’évolution de la chimie des eaux souterraines, augmentant les concentrations en Cl−, Na+, SO4 2−, Ca2+, Mg2+ et Sr2+ dans les eaux souterraines. Les valeurs de δ18O et δ2H des eaux de la nappe sont comprises respectivement entre −10.8 et −7.7 ‰ et entre −74.4 et −53.1 ‰. Des eaux récentes ont été mises en évidence dans l’aquifère peu profond de la plaine alluviale du fait, probablement, de l’infiltration directe d’eau de rivières et réinfiltration d’eaux d’irrigation. Les eaux souterraines profondes sont appauvries en isotopes lourds avec des âges 14C compris entre 3,000 et 26,000 ans, suggérant des eaux infiltrées durant le Pléistocène tardif et le milieu de l’Holocène, soit à des époques de climat froid. Ces résultats ont des implications importantes pour la gestion des eaux souterraines dans le bassin de la rivière Shule, du fait que des grandes quantités d’eaux souterraines sont effectivement exploitées et une stratégie d’usage de l’eau est nécessaire et urgente.
Resumen
Se investigó la evolución y la recarga del agua subterránea en la cuenca del río Shule, Noroeste de China, mediante una combinación de métodos de trazadores hidrogeoquímicos, isótopos estables y radiocarbono. Los resultados mostraron que la química general del agua subterránea es de tipo SO4 2−. Las reacciones del agua – roca en halita, sal de Glauber, yeso y celestita y el intercambio iónico inverso rigen la evolución química del agua subterránea, incrementándose las concentraciones de Cl−, Na+, SO4 2−, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Sr2+. Los valores de δ18O y δ2H oscilaron entre 10.8 y −7.7 ‰ y −74.4 y −53.1 ‰, respectivamente. Se identificó agua subterránea moderna en el abanico proluvial y en el acuífero somero de la llanura de suelos finos, probablemente como resultado de la infiltración directa de los ríos y de los retornos del riego. El agua subterránea profunda está empobrecida en los isótopos pesados con edades 14C que van desde 3,000 hasta 26,000 años, lo que sugiere aguas fósiles que fueron recargadas durante el Pleistoceno tardío y el Holoceno medio bajo un clima frío. Estos resultados tienen importantes implicancias en la gestión del agua subterránea en la cuenca del río Shule, ya que las grandes cantidades están siendo efectivamente extraídas y se necesita con urgencia una estrategia para uso del agua.
摘要
本文通过联合应用水文地球化学指标,氢氧稳定同位素及放射性碳测年技术,研究了中国西北地区疏勒河流域地下水的补给演化。结果显示,该流域地下水的普遍类型为硫酸根型。岩盐、芒硝、石膏、天青石以及反向离子交换决定了地下水的化学演化,使得水中的氯离子、钠离子、 硫酸根离子、 钙离子、镁离子和锶离子浓度升高。地下水中δ18O和δ2H的数值分别介于−10.8到−7.7 ‰ 和−74.4到−53.1 ‰之间。现代地下水分布在洪积扇以及细土平原浅部含水层中,是由河水直接下渗和灌溉回归补给形成的。深层地下水中同位素贫乏,年代在3,000到26,000年之间,指示了这些地下水形成于晚更新世到全新世中期的寒冷气候条件下。由于研究区开采的大量地下水是古水,因此制定合理的水资源开采战略已迫在眉睫。
Resumo
A recarga e evolução das águas subterrâneas na bacia do Rio Shule, Noroeste chinês, foi investigado por meio da combinação dos seguintes métodos: traçadores hidrogeoquímicos, isótopos estáveis e radiocarbono. Os resultados mostraram que a química geral da água subterrânea é do tipo SO4 2−. As reações água-rocha de halite, sais de Glauber, gipsita e celestita, e troca iônica reversa ditam a evolução química das águas subterrâneas, aumentando as concentrações de Cl−, Na+, SO4 2−, Ca2+, Mg2+ e Sr2+ nas águas subterrâneas. Os valores de δ18O e δ2H das águas subterrâneas variaram de −10.8 a −7.7 ‰ e −74.4 a −53.1 ‰, respectivamente. Uma água subterrânea mais moderna foi identificada no leque proluvial e no aquífero raso da planície com solo fino, provavelmente como resultado de infiltração direta de rios e da irrigação. Águas subterrâneas profundas sofreram depleção em isótopos pesados com idades (14C) variando de 3,000 a 26,000 anos, surgindo tratar-se de água paleolítica cuja recarga ocorreu durante o final da era do Pleistoceno e meio do Holoceno sob clima frio. Esses resultados têm importantes implicações para o gerenciamento das águas subterrâneas na bacia do Rio Shule, uma vez que grandes quantidades de águas subterrâneas estão sendo efetivamente mineiradas e é urgente a necessidade de uma estratégia de uso da água.
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Acknowledgements
The research is supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41402200, 41271039) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Lanzhou University. We thank Mrs. Jingfang Wang and Mrs. Yanhui Pan in Lanzhou University and Dr. Darden Hood in the Beta Analytic Inc. for assistance in the laboratory analysis. We would also like to thank Alison Beamish at the University of British Columbia for her assistance with English language and grammatical editing of the manuscript.
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He, J., Ma, J., Zhao, W. et al. Groundwater evolution and recharge determination of the Quaternary aquifer in the Shule River basin, Northwest China. Hydrogeol J 23, 1745–1759 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1311-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1311-9