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The identification of precipitation amount effect with a water isotope-enabled threshold model in vadose zone: a case study in Ordos Plateau

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Abstract

Accurate estimation of precipitation amount recharged to the groundwater is essential to the water balance calculation of a groundwater system in regional scale. In the torrid zones, the proportion of heavier water isotopes in precipitation presents a negative correlation with the precipitation amount. The physical processes explicating this so-called amount effect have not been well understood. This paper focuses on the δD relationships of local precipitation and groundwater to explain the isotopic variability in Ordos Plateau, China. In order to better understand the physical process interpreting the amount effect, a numerical threshold model in the vadose zone to relate the ineffective precipitation amount and isotopic abundance of precipitation and groundwater was supposed. By comparing the modelled δD with that in groundwater, ineffective precipitation, a value of 6.12 mm was obtained in Ordos Plateau. Thus, the potential groundwater recharge from the precipitation in the region can be deduced. The methodology proposed in this study will provide useful insights into the estimation of precipitation contribution to groundwater in other similar areas in the world.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation of China Grant No. 41203014 and Technology New Star Plan of Shaanxi Province (2016KJXX-92). The financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41402202) was also appreciated. Thanks are given to Jochen W. Wenninger of UNESCO-IHE who analyzed the soil samples for the soil profile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Groundwater and Ecology in Arid and Semi-arid Areas, Xi’an Center of Geological Survey, Chinese Geological Survey, Nanjing, China

    H. Ma, L. Yin, X. Wang, J. Zhang, C. Li & J. Dong

  2. Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China

    Q. Yang & J. Zhang

Authors
  1. H. Ma
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  2. Q. Yang
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  3. L. Yin
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  4. J. Zhang
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  5. X. Wang
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  6. J. Zhang
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  7. C. Li
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  8. J. Dong
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Correspondence to Q. Yang.

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Ma, H., Yang, Q., Yin, L. et al. The identification of precipitation amount effect with a water isotope-enabled threshold model in vadose zone: a case study in Ordos Plateau. Environ Earth Sci 75, 922 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5708-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5708-0

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