Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
8862858 Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 2018 19 Pages PDF
Abstract
Groundwater in the upper region (UR) of HRB has (δ18O, δD) clustered near (−8.0, −46‰), consistent with present-day Qilian Mountain precipitation. Tritium of groundwater >26 TU indicates post-bomb recharge. Mountain runoff provides recharge to alluvial-fluvial aquifers in the Middle Region (MR) and Lower Region (LR) along the main river of the HRB. Between 1986 and 2001, anthropogenic tritium releases affected north-central China, affecting HRB precipitation. Irrigation reflux strongly affects isotopes in basin groundwater, generating anomalous samples with low tritium and post-bomb 14C, or high tritium and pre-bomb 14C. Stable isotopes in Qilian Mountain runoff have evolved in response to climate change. A 1‰ shift in δ18O since 1960 coincides with drying of the Aral Sea, possibly affecting moisture advected from the west. A 6-8‰ shift before 12 ka may indicate the former extent of the South Asian monsoon.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Earth-Surface Processes
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