Abstract
Based on analysis of groundwater hydrogeochemical and isotopic data, this study aims to identify the recharge sources and understand geochemical evolution of groundwater along the downstream section of the Shule River, northwest China, including two sub-basins. Groundwater samples from the Tashi sub-basin show markedly depleted stable isotopes compared to those in the Guazhou sub-basin. This difference suggests that groundwater in the Tashi sub-basin mainly originates from meltwater in the Qilian Mountains, while the groundwater in the Guazhou sub-basin may be recharged by seepage of the Shule River water. During the groundwater flow process in the Tashi sub-basin, minerals within the aquifer material (e.g., halite, calcite, dolomite, gypsum) dissolve in groundwater. Mineral dissolution leads to strongly linear relationships between Na+ and Cl− and between Mg2++ Ca2+ and SO4 2− + HCO3 −, with stoichiometry ratios of approximately 1:1 in both cases. The ion-exchange reaction plays a dominant role in hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in the Guazhou sub-basin and causes a good linear relationship between (Mg2++ Ca2+)–(SO4 2− + HCO3 −) and (Na++ K+)–Cl− with a slope of −0.89 and also results in positive chloroalkaline indices CAI 1 and CAI 2. The scientific results have implications for groundwater management in the downstream section of Shule River. As an important irrigation district in Hexi Corridor, groundwater in the Guazhou sub-basin should be used sustainably and rationally because its recharge source is not as abundant as expected. It is recommended that the surface water should be used efficiently and routinely, while groundwater exploitation should be limited as much as possible.
Résumé
En se basant sur l’analyse des données isotopiques et hydrogéochimiques des eaux souterraines, l’étude a pour objectif d’identifier les sources de recharge et de comprendre l’évolution géochimique des eaux souterraines le long de la partie aval de la rivière Shule au nord-ouest de la Chine, comprenant deux sous-bassins. Les échantillons d’eau souterraine du sous-bassin de Tashi montrent un appauvrissement fort en isotopes stables par rapport à ceux du sous-bassin de Guazhou. Cette différence suggère que les eaux souterraines du sous-bassin de Tashi proviennent majoritairement de la fonte des neiges des montagnes de Qilian alors que les eaux souterraines du sous-bassin de Guazhou seraient rechargées par infiltration des eaux de la rivière Shule. Au cours du processus d’écoulement des eaux souterraines dans le sous-bassin de Tashi, la dissolution des minéraux contenus dans la matrice de l’aquifère (dont halite, calcite, dolomite, gypse) prend place. La dissolution des minéraux amène à une forte corrélation entre Na+ et Cl− et entre Mg2++ Ca2+ et SO4 2− + HCO3 −, avec un rapport stœchiométrique d’environ 1:1 dans les deux cas. Les réactions d’échange d’ions jouent un rôle dominant dans l’évolution hydrogéochimique des eaux souterraines du sous-bassin de Guazhou permettant une bonne corrélation linéaire entre (Mg2++ Ca2+)–(SO4 2− + HCO3 −) et (Na++ K+)–Cl− avec une pente de −0,89 et également un indice chloro-alcalin positif ICA 1 et ICA 2. Ces résultats scientifiques ont des conséquences pour la gestion des eaux souterraines dans la partie aval de la rivière Shule. Le Corridor de Hexi étant un secteur d’irrigation important, les eaux souterraines du sous-bassin de Guazhou devraient être utilisées de manière durable et rationnelle du fait de recharges attendues pas aussi importantes que prévu. Il est recommandé d’utiliser de manière efficace et régulière les eaux de surface alors que l’exploitation des eaux souterraines devrait être limitée autant que possible.
Resumen
Este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar las fuentes de recarga y entender la evolución geoquímica del agua subterránea en base al análisis de datos hidrogeoquímico e isotópicos, incluyendo a dos subcuencas a lo largo de una sección aguas abajo del río Shule, noroeste de China. Las muestras de agua subterránea de la sub-cuenca del Tashi indican un empobrecimiento de los isótopos estables en comparación con los de la sub-cuenca del Guazhou. Esta diferencia sugiere que el agua subterránea en la subcuenca del Tashi se origina principalmente a partir del agua de deshielo en las montañas de Qilian, mientras que el agua subterránea en la sub-cuenca del Guazhou es recargada por la filtración de agua del río Shule. Durante el proceso de flujo subterráneo en la sub-cuenca del Tashi, los minerales dentro del material del acuífero (por ejemplo, halita, calcita, dolomita, yeso) se disuelven en el agua subterránea. La disolución de los minerales conduce a relaciones fuertemente lineales entre Na+ y Cl− y entre Mg2++ Ca2+ y SO4 2− + HCO3, con relaciones estequiométricas de aproximadamente 1:1 en ambos casos. La reacción de intercambio iónico juega un papel dominante en la evolución hidrogeoquímica del agua subterránea en la sub-cuenca del Guazhou y presenta una relación lineal buena entre (Mg2++ Ca2+)–(SO4 2− + HCO3 −) y (Na++ K+)–Cl− con una pendiente de −0.89 y también da lugar a índices cloroalcalinos CAI 1 and CAI 2 positivos. Los resultados científicos tienen implicancias para la gestión del agua subterránea en la sección aguas abajo del río Shule. El agua subterránea de la subcuenca del Guazhou, en relación al importante distrito de riego de Hexi Corredor, se debe utilizar de forma sostenible y racional porque su fuente de recarga no es tan abundante como se esperaba. Se recomienda que el agua de superficie sea utilizada de manera eficiente y rutinaria, mientras que la explotación del agua subterránea debe limitarse tanto como sea posible.
摘要
基于对地下水水文地球化学和同位素数据的分析,本研究目的是确定中国西北疏勒河下游地区两个相邻次级盆地内地下水的补给来源并了解地下水的地球化学演化过程。与瓜州次级盆地的地下水样相比,踏实次级盆地的地下水样品显著地贫化重同位素。这个差异表明,踏实次级盆地 的地下水主要来自祁连山区的冰雪融水补给,而瓜州次级盆地的地下水可能由疏勒河水的渗漏 补给。在踏实次级盆地 地下水径流过程中,含水层中的矿物(如岩盐、方解石、白云石及石膏)溶解进入地下水中。
矿物溶解导致Na+ 和 Cl−之间 及Mg2++ Ca2+ 和 SO4 2− + HCO3 −之间呈现出良好的线性关系,并且它们的 化学计量比例接近1:1。离子交换反应在瓜州次级盆地 地下水水文地球化学演化中发挥着重要作用,致使(Mg2++ Ca2+)–(SO4 2− + HCO3 −) 和 (Na++ K+)–Cl−之间具有很好的线性关系,且斜率 为–0.89,也导致了氯碱指数CAI 1 和 CAI 2均大于零。研究结果对疏勒河下游的地下水管理具有启示意义。作为河西走廊的重要农灌区, 瓜州次级盆地内地下水应当可持续地、合理地利用, 因为它的补给来源并不像预想的那样丰富。, 此外, 建议有效地、常态化地利用地表水,同时尽量限制开采地下水。
Resumo
Com base em análises hidrogeoquímicas e dados isotópicos, este estudo tem o objetivo de identificar as fontes de recarga e entender a evolução geoquímica das águas subterrâneas a jusante do Rio Shule, localizado a noroeste da China, abrangendo duas sub-bacias hidrográficas. Amostras de águas subterrâneas da sub-bacia Tashi demonstraram que houve redução de isótopos estáveis, isto quando comparado com a sub-bacia Guazhou. Esta diferença sugere que as águas subterrâneas na sub-bacia Tashi tem como principal origem a água de degelo proveniente das Montanhas Qilian, enquanto que as águas subterrâneas da sub-bacia Guazhou podem ter como fonte de recarga as águas do Rio Shule. Durante o fluxo das águas subterrâneas na sub-bacia Tashi, minerais constituintes do aquífero (p. ex., halita, calcita, dolomita, calcário) são dissolvidos nas águas subterrâneas. As dissoluções dos minerais contribuem para uma forte relação linear entre Na+ e Cl− e entre Mg2++ Ca2+ e SO4 2− + HCO3 −, com razão estequiométrica de aproximadamente 1:1 em ambos os casos. A reação de troca iônica tem papel dominante na evolução hidrogeoquímica das águas subterrâneas da sub-bacia Guazhou e causa uma boa relação linear entre (Mg2++ Ca2+)–(SO4 2− + HCO3 −) e (Na++ K+)–Cl− com inclinação de −0,89 e também resulta em índice cloro-alcalino positivo CAI 1 e CAI 2. Os resultados científicos têm implicações na gestão das águas subterrâneas na seção à jusante do rio Shule. Devido a um importante distrito irrigado no Corredor Hexi as águas subterrâneas na sub-bacia Guazhou deve ser usada de forma sustentável, pois sua fonte de recarga não é tão abundante como era esperado. Recomenda-se o uso eficiente da água superficial, enquanto que a exploração das águas subterrâneas deve ser o mais limitada possível.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association Chinese Academy Sciences (Grant No. 2016063) and the Project funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2016 M591247). We are grateful to Dr. Martin Appold and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions which greatly improved the manuscript.
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Wang, L., Dong, Y., Xie, Y. et al. Distinct groundwater recharge sources and geochemical evolution of two adjacent sub-basins in the lower Shule River Basin, northwest China. Hydrogeol J 24, 1967–1979 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1456-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1456-1