Determination of groundwater recharge regime and flowpath in the Lower Heihe River basin in an arid area of Northwest China by using environmental tracers: Implications for vegetation degradation in the Ejina Oasis

Environmental tracers (CFCs, stable isotopes 18O, 2H, and 3H) and major ions were employed to study river infiltration and groundwater recharge in the aquifer system in the basin of the Lower Heihe River, Northwest China. Three groups of waters have been recognized: (1) young groundwater, connected to the river, with large variation of CFC apparent ages ranging from <10 a to 40 a, and δ18O and δ2H values which are similar to the river water; (2) regional background water, unaffected by the river, having CFC apparent ages >40 a, and being depleted in 18O and 2H compared with the river water; and (3) groundwater in Gurinai, a grassland located about 100 km from the river, in which the predominant discharge is from the Badain Jaran desert, with CFC apparent ages ranging from 25 to >50 a and being enriched in 18O and 2H compared to the river water. The groundwater along the river contains CFCs and 3H down to depths of about 120 m, and the shallow groundwater exhibits CFC apparent ages in a wide range which are not dependent on the well depth. Groundwaters along the river show a similar trend of enrichment in 18O and 2H as the river water whereas groundwaters in depression cones are depleted in heavier isotopes, and have low CFC and 3H concentrations. The CFC apparent age of the groundwater increases with increasing distance downstream, indicating that the dominant part of the groundwater is from infiltration of river water in the upper reaches. Modifications of groundwater recharge are reflected in variations of stable isotope compositions, as well as CFC and 3H concentrations in the groundwater that was recharged from the river over the last decades. Despite recharging from river water, groundwater abstraction has induced a water balance deficit. The riparian ecosystem in the Ejina Oasis is constrained by both decreased river flow and increased groundwater abstraction. The vegetation degradation in the Ejina Oasis is controlled not only by natural aridification but also worsened by heavy groundwater abstraction and decreased river flow.

► Infiltration regime of river water is examined using CFCs, stable isotopes and 3H. ► The tracers reveal the infiltration regime of river water and pathway in groundwater. ► Leakage of river water and upwelling of palaeo-water are found along flowpath zone. ► The groundwater recharge will be overestimated if monitored runoff losses are used.