Potential recharge sources and origin of solutes in groundwater in the central Qinghai–Tibet Plateau using hydrochemistry and isotopic data

Abstract

Study region: The Nagqu River Basin in the central part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. Study focus: Groundwater flow systems in permafrost regions are characterized by a unique circulation. Understanding the groundwater circulation mechanism is essential for studying the hydrological effect of permafrost degradation in alpine regions. In this study, potential water sources and origin of solutes in the groundwater of a typical alpine region were studied using hydrochemistry, 18O, 2H and 3H analyses. This research is essential for studying the hydrological effects of permafrost degradation. New hydrological insights for the region: Upon moving from the mountainous region to the plains, the renewal rate decreases from 10.5% to 0.6% and the mean transit time increases from 5–30 to 20–32 years. Groundwater is mainly recharged by ground ice meltwater and infiltration of glacier meltwater, snow meltwater and precipitation in mountainous areas, and by deep groundwater near faults. Discharge to surface water, evaporation, and overflow into springs are the main drainage modes. Water/ice–rock/soil interactions, such as dissolution of aluminosilicate minerals, are the main factors affecting the hydrochemical evolution. This study provides a data-driven approach for understanding groundwater recharge and evolution in similar systems.

Keywords

• Hydrochemistry
• Isotope tracer
• Groundwater
• Permafrost
• Qinghai–Tibet Plateau