Abstract
Hydrogeologic processes and shallow subsurface flows control runoff generation, groundwater dynamics, and permafrost distribution at high latitudes and elevations. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) can effectively delineate the frozen and thawed zones in the cold environment and can be applied in permafrost hydrogeology by measuring the differences in subsurface electrical potential. A combined approach of ERT and borehole measurements is implemented to map the flow paths of the supra-permafrost and sub-permafrost waters around the Wanlong Worma Lake (WWL) basin in the headwaters of the Yellow River (northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China). The ERT sounding results are further validated using drilling records and measured data on ground temperatures and groundwater level. Then, basic features for permafrost hydrogeology are outlined according to the ERT sounding, vegetation distribution, and geological data in the WWL basin. The results show the presence of permafrost at depths up to 15 m, in which electrical resistivity is >250 Ωm. Below the permafrost (at depth 15–80 m), electrical resistivity is generally <100 Ωm. At the depth where an aquifer occurs (20–60 m), electrical resistivity is in the range 1–25 Ωm. The sub-permafrost water moves towards the zone of taliks (unfrozen ground) under the hydraulic gradient controlled by local permafrost distribution and is affected by terrain relief. This work demonstrates the capability of ERT for delineating the distribution of the aquifers of the supra- and sub-permafrost waters and for understanding changes in hydraulic connections in a rapidly degrading alpine permafrost basin.
Résumé
Les processus hydrogéologiques et les écoulements souterrains superficiels contrôlent la genèse du ruissellement, la dynamique des eaux souterraines, et la distribution du permafrost à hautes latitudes et altitudes. La tomographie par résistivité électrique (ERT) peut délimiter efficacement les zones gelées et dégelées dans les environnements froids et peut être appliquée en hydrogéologie du permafrost en mesurant les différences de potentiel électrique souterrain. Une approche combinée d’ERT et de mesures en forages est mise en œuvre pour cartographier les chemins d’écoulement des eaux du supra-permafrost et du sub-permafrost autour du bassin versant du Lac WanlongWorma (LWW) dans les zones amont du fleuve Jaune (Nord-Est du Plateau de Qinghai-Tibet, Chine). Les résultats des sondages ERT sont de plus validés en utilisant des enregistrements de forage et des données de mesures de températures du sol et de niveaux d’eau souterraine. Ensuite, des caractéristiques simples pour l’hydrogéologie du permafrost sont décrites en lien avec les sondages ERT, la distribution de la végétation et les données géologiques dans le bassin du LWW. Les résultats montrent la présence de permafrost jusqu’à 15m de profondeur, où la résistivité électrique est supérieure à 250 Ωm.Sous le permafrost (entre 15–80m de profondeur), la résistivité électrique est généralementinférieure à 100 Ωm.A la profondeur où un aquifère est présent (20–60m), la résistivité électrique est comprise entre 1–25 Ωm.L’eau souterraine du sub-permafrost s’écoule vers les zones de taliks (couche de sol non gelé) sous un gradient hydraulique contrôlé par la distribution locale du permafrost et qui est influencé par le relief. Ce travail démontre la capacité de l’ERT pour la délimitation de la distribution des aquifères d’eau souterraine de supra- et sub-permafrost et pour la compréhension des changements de connexions hydrauliques dans un bassin de permafrost alpin qui se dégrade rapidement.
Resumen
Los procesos hidrogeológicos y los flujos subterráneos poco profundos controlan la generación de escorrentía, la dinámica del agua subterránea y la distribución del permafrost en alta latitudes y elevaciones. La tomografía de resistividad eléctrica (ERT) puede delinear eficazmente las zonas congeladas y descongeladas en un ambiente frío y puede aplicarse en la hidrogeología del permafrost midiendo las diferencias en el potencial eléctrico subsuperficial. Se implementa una metodología combinada de mediciones de ERT y de pozos para mapear las trayectorias del flujo de las aguas supra-permafrost y sub-permafrost alrededor de la cuenca del lago Wanlong Worma (WWL) en las cabeceras del río Amarillo (noreste de Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China). Los resultados de los sondeos de las ERT se validan aún más utilizando registros de perforación y datos medidos sobre las temperaturas del suelo y el nivel del agua subterránea. Luego, las características básicas de la hidrogeología del permafrost se describen de acuerdo con los sondeos de las ERT, la distribución de la vegetación y los datos geológicos en la cuenca WWL. Los resultados muestran la presencia de permafrost a profundidades de hasta 15 m, en las que la resistividad eléctrica es >250 Ω m. Debajo del permafrost (a una profundidad de 15–80 m), la resistividad eléctrica es generalmente <100 Ω m. En la profundidad donde se encuentra un acuífero (20–60 m), la resistividad eléctrica está en el rango de 1–25 Ω m. El agua sub-permafrost se mueve hacia la zona de taliks (terreno no congelado) bajo el gradiente hidráulico controlado por la distribución local del permafrost y se ve afectado por el relieve del terreno. Este trabajo demuestra la capacidad de las ERT para delimitar la distribución de los acuíferos de las aguas supra y sub – permafrost y para comprender los cambios en las conexiones hidráulicas en una cuenca de permafrost alpino que se degrada rápidamente.
摘要
水文地质过程及浅表层地下水流动控制着高纬度及高海拔地区的产流、地下水动态及多年冻土分布。电阻率层析成像法 (ERT) 可以有效描述寒区环境中冻融区间, 通过测量地下电势差以应用于多年冻土水文地质研究。本文采用ERT和钻探相结合的方法, 对位于黄河源头区 (青藏高原东北部) 的万隆沃玛湖进行冻结层上水及冻结层下水流动路径的研究, 然后利用钻孔资料、地温数据及地下水位实测数据进一步验证ERT测深结果。根据ERT勘探结果、地表植被分布以及地质资料, 概述了万隆哇玛湖区多年冻土水文地质特征。结果显示, 该区域存在多年冻土, 其中多年冻土区范围内电阻率大于250 Ω·m, 最深可达15 m, 多年冻土层以下 (15-80 m) 范围内, 电阻率值<100 Ω·m。在含水层深度范围内 (20-60 m), 电阻率值在1-25 Ω·m内。多年冻结层下水在局地多年冻土分布的水力梯度控制下以向融区流动为主, 并受地形的影响。该工作说明电阻率层析法具有描述冻结层上水及冻结层下水含水层位置分布以及进一步理解退化状态下高海拔多年冻土区的水力联系变化方面的能力。
Resumo
Processos hidrogeológicos e fluxos rasos em subsuperfície controlam a geração de escoamento superficial, a dinâmica das águas subterrâneas, e a distribuição de pergelissolos em altas latitudes e elevações. A tomografia elétrica (TE) pode eficazmente delinear as zonas congeladas e descongeladas no ambiente frio e pode ser aplicada na hidrogeologia de pergelissolos através das medições de diferença de potencial elétrico em subsuperfície. Uma abordagem combinada de medições da TE na superfície do solo e medições em furos de sondagem foi implementada para mapear os caminhos de fluxo das águas de supra-perpergelissolos e sub-pergelissolos ao redor da bacia do Lago Wanlong Worma (LWW) na cabeceira do Rio Amarelo (nordeste do Planalto Qinghai-Tibet, China). Os resultados da TE foram validados utilizando perfis de sondagem, medições de temperatura do solo e medições do nível d’água. Posteriormente, as características básicas da hidrogeologia doS pergelissolos foram delineadas de acordo com a TE, a distribuição da vegetação e os dados geológicos na bacia do LWW. Os resultados mostram a presença do pergelissolo a uma profundidade de até 15 m, em que a resistividade elétrica é >250 Ωm. Abaixo do pergelissolo (a uma profundidade entre 15 e 80 m), a resistividade elétrica é geralmente <100 Ωm. Nas profundidades onde ocorrem um aquífero (20–60 m), a resistividade elétrica varia entre 1 e 25 Ωm. As águas de sub-pergelissolo se movem no sentido da zona de taliks (solo não congelado) sob o gradiente hidráulico controlado pela distribuição local de pergelissolos, afetado pelo relevo do terreno. Este trabalho demonstra a capacidade da TE de delinear a distribuição dos aquíferos das águas de supra e sub-pergelissolo e entender as mudanças nas conexões hidráulicas em uma bacia de pergelissolo alpino em rápida degradação.
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Funding
This work was supported by and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41472229 ) “Study on changes in hydraulic connections in the Source Area of the Yellow River (SAYR) using isotope tracing techniques”, subproject of the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS; grant No. XDA20100103) “Changing permafrost hydrology in the Qilian Mountains and its impacts on water supplies and security”, CAS Key Pilot Research Program (grant No. KZZD-EW-13) “Hydrological impacts of permafrost degradation in the Source Area of the Yellow River”, and the CAS Overseas Professorship of Victor F Bense at the former Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (renamed as the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources since 24 June 2016) during 2013–2016.
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Gao, S., Jin, H., Bense, V.F. et al. Application of electrical resistivity tomography for delineating permafrost hydrogeology in the headwater area of Yellow River on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, SW China. Hydrogeol J 27, 1725–1737 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01942-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01942-z