Effects of passive-storage conceptualization on modeling hydrological function and isotope dynamics in the flow system of a cockpit karst landscape

Abstract

Conceptualizing passive storage in coupled flow–isotope models can improve the simulation of mixing and attenuation effects on tracer transport in many natural systems, such as catchments or rivers. However, the effectiveness of incorporating different conceptualizations of passive storage in models of complex karst flow systems remains poorly understood. In this study, we developed a coupled flow–isotope model that conceptualizes both “fast-flow” and “slow-flow” processes in heterogeneous aquifers as well as hydrological connections between steep hillslopes and low-lying depression units in cockpit karst landscapes. The model tested contrasting configurations of passive storage in the fast- and slow-flow systems and was optimized using a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on detailed observational data of discharge and isotope dynamics in the Chenqi Catchment in southwestern China. Results show that one to three passive-storage zones distributed in hillslope fast-/slow-flow reservoirs and/or depression slow-flow reservoirs provided optimal model structures in the study catchment. This optimization can effectively improve the simulation accuracy for outlet discharge and isotope signatures. Additionally, the optimal tracer-aided model reflects dominant flow paths and connections of the hillslope and depression units, yielding reasonable source area apportionment for dominant hydrological components (e.g., more than ∼ 80 % of fast flow in the total discharge) and solute transport in the steep hillslope unit of karst flow systems. Our coupled flow–isotope model for karst systems provides a novel, flexible tool for more realistic catchment conceptualizations that can easily be transferred to other cockpit karst catchments.