Abstract
Two springs (Cuihua Spring, Shuiqiuchi Spring) in Cuihua Mountain of the Qinling Mountains were observed and sampled monthly during 2004 and 2005 to trace their physical properties and chemical compositions with seasons. Although both pH values and cation (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+) contents of Cuihua Spring are higher than those of Shuiqiuchi Spring, seasonal variations in both springs are obvious. The pH values of both spring waters are between 5.69 and 6.98, lower than that of rainwater during summer and autumn. From January to November, the pH values of both springs similarly vary from high to low and then to high again. Variations in electric conductivities of two spring waters are contrary, although their electric conductivities are positively correlative with the cation content respectively. This can be attributed to different water sources of the two springs or different acidic rocks they passed. The contents of HCO3 −, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ are low, indicating a low silicate weathering that the strata in this district are mainly composed of granite and schist of quartz and mica. Differing from change in spring water in karst regions of South China where abundant precipitation and dilution of rainwater cause low pH and electric conductivity in summer and autumn, the seasonal variations in the pH values and the electric conductivities of two springs in Qinling Mountains are attributed to seasonal changes in CO2 produced by microorganisms’ activity in soil within respective year, rather than rainfall. The microorganisms’ activity in soil produces more CO2 during summer and autumn. Therefore, the water nature of springs in silicate regions chiefly reflects the seasonal changes of CO2 produced by the microorganisms in soil.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 40372117) and Karst Dynamics Laboratory, MLR (2006–07), State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Chinese Academy of Science (SKLLQG0605).
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Zhao, J., Wang, C., Jin, Z. et al. Seasonal variation in nature and chemical compositions of spring water in Cuihua Mountain, Shaanxi Province, central China. Environ Geol 57, 1753–1760 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1460-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1460-4