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Spatio-temporal variation of stable isotopes of river waters, water source identification and water security in the Heishui Valley (China) during the dry-season

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Abstract

Spatial variations of δD and δ18O among seven tributaries and their water sources were investigated in the Heishui Valley of the Yangtze River, China during the dry-season in 2004. A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variation) test showed that both δD (p < 0.01) and δ18O (p = 0.045) spatially varied among the seven tributaries. The plot of δ18O versus δD for the river water collected at different locations showed that isotopic fractionation occurred during the snow and glacial melting process. The depleted δ18O and δD in the tributary waters distributed above the local meteoric water line (LMWL) suggested that the glacial and early snowpack meltwater largely recharged these streams during the early spring. The meltwater was isotopically distinguishable from the precipitation and river water, which had been evaporated during warmer and drier times. If glaciers and snow accumulation diminish with future climate warming, the recharge of these tributaries’ baseflow will decline and the security of the water resource in this watershed will be threatened.

Résumé

Les variations spatiales de δD et δ18O le long de sept affluents et de leurs sources ont été étudiées dans la Vallée de Heishui de la Rivière Yangtze, en Chine, durant la saison sèche de 2004. Un test ANOVA (analyse de la variance) à un facteur a montré que δD (p < 0.01) et δ18O (p = 0.045) sont tous les deux spatialement variables le long des sept affluents. Le graphique δ18O versus δD de l’eau de la rivière récoltée en différents endroits montre que le fractionnement isotopique apparaît durant la fonte de la neige et des glaces. Les δ18O et δD appauvris dans les affluents distribués au dessus de la ligne météoritique locale (LMWL en anglais), suggèrent que les eaux de la fonte des neiges précoces et des glaciers ont largement rechargé les cours d’eau au début du printemps. L’eau de la fonte a été isotopiquement distinguée des précipitations et de l’eau de la rivière, qui été évaporée durant les périodes plus chaudes et plus sèches. Si les glaciers et l’accumulation de la neige diminuent avec les futurs changements climatiques, la recharge de l’écoulement de base de ces affluents diminuera et la sécurité de la ressource en eau de ce bassin versant sera menacée.

Resumen

Las variaciones espaciales de δD y δ18O entre siete tributarios y sus fuentes de agua fueron investigadas en el Heishui Valley del Yangtze River, China durante la estación seca de 2004. Una prueba ANOVA de una vía (análisis de variación) mostró que ambos δD (p < 0.01) y δ18O (p = 0.045) variaron espacialmente entre los siete tributarios. La gráfica de δD versus δ18O para el agua del río muestreada en diferentes localidades mostró que el fraccionamiento isotópico ocurrió durante el proceso de derretimiento de nieve y glaciar. La reducción de δ18O y δD en el agua de los tributarios distribuida sobre la línea de agua meteórica local (LMWL) sugirió que el glaciar y deshielo temprano de la nieve compactada recargó fuertemente estos arroyos durante el comienzo de la primavera. El agua resultado del deshielo fue isotopicamente distinguible del agua precipitada y del agua del río, la cual ha sido evaporada durante épocas más calientes y secas. Si la acumulación de glaciares y nieve disminuye con un futuro calentamiento climático, la recarga de los flujos base de estos tributarios disminuirá y la seguridad de recursos del agua en esta cuenca estará amenazada.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by The National Key Basic Research Special Funds (NKBRSF), PR China (No.2002CB111504). The authors would like to thank Drs. Y. H. Xie , S. T. Zhang and J. W. Zheng, Mrs. J. H. Jiang , Y. Zhang, G. J. Ren and X. Yao for their generous and ungrudging assistance during the experimental process. Many thanks also to the employees of the Heishui Weather Bureau for supplying necessary meteorological data. We also thank Professor Y. S. Huang of the Earth Sciences Department of Nanjing University for his advice and help.

Finally, we would like to thank G. Van Epps and H. Liu of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at the State University of New Jersey, USA, for their editorial assistance. And special thanks also go to the three reviewers for their very useful comments and suggestions, and D. Siegel and S. Duncan for their final modifications and editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Global Changes, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Yuhong Liu, Shuqing An, Zhen Xu, Ningjiang Fan, Jun Cui & Zhongsheng Wang

  2. Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research For Sustainable Development, CAS, Yinhai Road 26, Yantai, 264003, China

    Yuhong Liu

  3. Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, The Chinese Academy of Forestry, Xiangshan East Road, Beijing, 100091, China

    Shirong Liu

  4. Department of Geology, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Jiayong Pan

  5. Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Guanghui Lin

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  1. Yuhong Liu
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Liu, Y., An, S., Xu, Z. et al. Spatio-temporal variation of stable isotopes of river waters, water source identification and water security in the Heishui Valley (China) during the dry-season. Hydrogeol J 16, 311–319 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0260-3

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