Abstract
Complex structural systems, lithological differences, and extreme heterogeneity of aquifers combine to create a complex karst aquifer structure in alpine and gorge areas; however, because of the topography, direct investigation of aquifer structure is difficult. In this study, field survey, hydrochemical, and isotopic data are analyzed to reveal the development of karst groundwater and to describe the karst water cycle in Genie Mountain, Qinghai–Xizang Plateau. The results show that groundwater circulation is mainly controlled by active fracture. Atmospheric precipitation and melting ice and snow are the groundwater recharge sources, and recharge areas are mostly located in high mountains above 4500 m a.s.l. The direction of groundwater flow is mostly controlled by the Jinshajiang active Fault, with drainage areas at the intersection of multiple faults. There are two regional karst water runoff conduits. One is along the Edexi-Hongjunshan Fault, where groundwater runs from south to north; the other is along Gangtonglong Fault, where groundwater runs from north to south, and is discharged at Gangtonglong gully. The groundwater cycle can be divided into three levels: epikarst water circulation; mid to deep karst water circulation; and deep geothermal water circulation. The karst springs located in the outlet of the Huolong gully contain markedly higher levels of Na+ and SO42− than other karst springs because of the leaching effect of groundwater on mirabilite. The presence of evaporites in Huolong gully indicates that the plateau planation formed by the structural uplift will change the local climatic conditions, and then affect the groundwater circulation process and the water–rock reaction in the process.
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Data Availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
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Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to the reviewers for their insightful, important, and constructive comments that improved the final version of the manuscript. We also thank this organization for funding our research. We also thank Lucy Muir, PhD, from Liwen Bianji, Edanz Editing China (www.liwenbianji.cn/ac), for editing the English text of a draft of this manuscript.
Funding
This research was financed and conducted under the terms of the Geological Survey Project of China Geological Survey Bureau (project numbers DD20201123, DD20211374 and DD20221812); we thank this organization for funding our research.
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Ma, J., Li, X., Liu, F. et al. Application of hydrochemical and isotopic data to determine the origin and circulation conditions of karst groundwater in an alpine and gorge region in the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau: a case study of Genie Mountain. Environ Earth Sci 81, 291 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10414-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10414-9