Estimating distribution of water uptake with depth of winter wheat by hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes under different irrigation depths

Crop root system plays an important role in the water cycle of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. In this study, com- bined isotope techniques, root length density and root cell activity analysis were used to investigate the root water uptake mechanisms of winter wheat （Triticum aesfivum L.） under different irrigation depths in the North China Plain. Both direct inference approach and multisource linear mixing model were applied to estimate the distribution of water uptake with depth in six growing stages. Results showed that winter wheat under land surface irrigation treatment （Ts） mainly absorbed water from 10-20 cm soil layers in the wintering and green stages （66.9 and 72.0%, respectively）; 0-20 cm （57.0%） in the jointing stage; 0-40 （15.3%） and 80-180 cm （58.1%） in the heading stage; 60-80 （13.2%） and 180-220 cm （35.5%） in the filling stage; and 0-40 （46.8%） and 80-100 cm （31.0%） in the ripening stage. Winter wheat under whole soil layers irrigation treatment （Tw） absorbed more water from deep soil layer than Ts in heading, filling and ripening stages. Moreover, root cell activity and root length density of winter wheat under TW were significantly greater than that of Ts in the three stages. We concluded that distribution of water uptake with depth was affected by the availability of water sources, the root length density and root cell activity. Implementation of the whole soil layers irrigation method can affect root system distribution and thereby increase water use from deeper soil and enhance water use efficiency.

Stable isotopes of water as a tracer for revealing spatial and temporal characteristics of groundwater recharge surrounding Qinghai Lake,China

Studying spatial and temporal characteristics of regional groundwater recharge will guide the scientific management and sustainable development of regional water resources.This study investigated stable isotopes(δ^(18)O and δ^(2) H)of precipitation,groundwater,river water and lake water during 2019-2020 in Qinghai Lake Basin to reveal the spatial and temporal characteristics of groundwater recharge.The local meteoric water line was simulated using ordinary least squares regression(δ^(2) H=7.80δ^(18)O+10.60).The local evaporation lines of the river water,lake water and groundwater were simulated asδ^(2) H=6.21δ^(18)O-0.72,δ^(2) H=5.73δ0-3.60 and δ^(2) H=6.59δ0+1.76,respectively.The δ^(2) H and δ^(18)O of river water and groundwater were in more depleted values due to the recharge by precipitation at high altitudes or precipitation effects,and theδ^(2) H andδ^(18)O of the lake water were in more enriched values because of evaporation.The relationship between the δ^(2) H and δ^(18)O of groundwater and river water was not significantly different,indicating a strong hydrological connection between the groundwater and river water surrounding Qinghai Lake.Additionally,the maximum values of δ^(18)O and the minimum values of lc-excess of groundwater in most regions were both in August,and the minimum values of δ^(18)O and the maximum values of lc-excess of groundwater in most regions were both in October.Therefore,the groundwater was recharged by soil water with strong evaporation in August and recharged by precipitation at high altitudes in October.The recharge rate of groundwater was relatively fast in areas with large slopes and large hydraulic gradients(e.g.,south of Qinghai Lake),and in areas with strong hydrological connections between the groundwater and river water(e.g.,the Buha River Valley).Those results can provide data support for protection and utilization of water resources in Qinghai Lake Basin,and provide reference for groundwater research in closed lake basins on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Stable isotopes reveal varying water sources of Caragana microphylla in a desert-oasis ecotone near the Badain Jaran Desert

Understanding the variation in a plant’s water sources is critical to understanding hydrological processes in water-limited environments. Here, we measured the stable-isotope ratios(δ18 O) of xylem water of Caragana microphylla, precipitation,soil water from different depths, and groundwater to quantitatively analyze the proportion of water sources for the shrub.We found that the water sources of C. microphylla differed with the plant’s ages and the seasons. The main water source for young shrubs was upper-soil water, and it showed significant changes with seasonal precipitation inputs. In summer,the proportion contributed by shallow water was significantly increased with increased precipitation inputs. Then, the contribution from shallow-soil water decreased with the decline in precipitation input in spring and autumn. However, the adult shrubs resorted to deep-soil layers and groundwater as the main water sources during the whole growing season and showed much less seasonal variation. We conclude that the main water source of the young shrubs was upper-soil water and was controlled by precipitation inputs. However, once the shrub gradually grew up and the roots reached sufficient depth, the main water sources change from the upper-soil layer recharged by precipitation to deep-soil water and groundwater, which were relatively stable and abundant in the desert ecosystem. These results also suggest that desert shrubs may be able to switch their main water sources to deep and reliable water sources as their age increases, and this adjustment to water availability carries significant importance for their acclimation to the desert habitat.

Variation of soil-plant-atmosphere continuum stable isotope and water source in Qinghai spruce forest of the eastern Qilian Mountains

Understanding the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope composition and characteristics of different water bodies in soil-plant-atmosphere continuum is of significance for revealing regional hydrological processes and water cycle mechanisms.In this study,we analyzed the stable isotopic composition,relationship and indicative significance of precipitation,soil water(0~100 cm depth)and xylem water of Qinghai spruce(Picea crassifolia)forest in the eastern Qilian Mountains,and explored the circulation process among different water bodies.The results show that the stable isotopes of precipitation vary greatly during the entire observation period.The values ofδ2H andδ^(18)O in the precipitation in the warm season are richer than those in the cold season,and the slope and intercept of local meteoric water line(LMWL,δ2H=6.79δ18O+7.13)are both smaller than global meteoric water line(GMWL,δ2H=8.17δ18O+10.56).The stable isotopes of soil water at different depths underwent different degrees of evaporative fractionation,and theδ18O andδ2H of shallow soil water varied greatly,while the deep soil water tended to be similar.The topsoil(0~10 cm)can respond quickly to precipitation,and the response of the deep soil has a time lag.In the whole growing season,0~30 cm and 60~100 cm soil water are the main water sources of Qinghai spruce.The water source of Qinghai spruce was from all soil layers in May and September,mainly from the shallow soil layer(0~30 cm)in August and October,and mainly from the deep soil layer(60~100 cm)in June and July.

Oxygen Stable Isotopic Ratio in Precipitations in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Time-course of oxygen stable isotopic ratios （i.e., δ^18O） as well as seasonal variation of δ^18O has been examined to investigate the characteristics, sources and the passing route of precipitations in Niigata Prefecture. The precipitation samples have been mainly collected with a filtrating bulk sampler at the rooftop of Niigata University. Furthermore, backward trajectories analyses have been also conducted for these samples taken sequentially for a short period. Consequently, the following features have been mainly clarified for the precipitations in Niigata Prefecture： （1） the δ^18O values varied between -14.57%o and -3.86%0 in the precipitations of Niigata University; （2） as for the comparison among sampling points, the mean value of δ^18O at seaside spots （i.e., Niigata City： -6.93%0） is larger than that of inland spots （Sanjyo City： -8.68%0）; （3） δ^18O value was generally small in the rainy or typhoon season, and relatively large in summer; （4） decreasing δ^18O content with time is a predominant feature of sequentially sampled rainfalls as predicted by Rayleigh models of atmospheric vapor condensation.

Application of Stable Isotope Tracing Technologies in Identification of Transformation among Waters in Sanjiang Plain,Northeast China

In order to investigate the transformation among the precipitation,groundwater,and surface water in the Sanjiang Plain,Northeast China,precipitation and groundwater samples which were collected at the meteorological station of the Sanjiang Mire Wetland Experimental Station,Chinese Academy of Sciences and the surface water which collected from the Wolulan River were used to identify the transformation of three types of water.The isotope composition of different kinds of water sources were analyzed via stable isotope(deuterium and oxygen-18) investigation of natural water.The results show a clear seasonal difference in the stable isotopes in precipitation.During the cold half-year,the mean stable isotope in precipitation in the Sanjiang Plain reaches its minimum with the minimum temperature.The δ18O and δD values are high in the rainy season.In the Wolulan River,the evaporation is the highest in August and September.The volume of evaporation and the replenishment to the river is mostly same.The groundwater is recharged more by the direct infiltration of precipitation than by the river flow.The results of this study indicate that the water bodies in the Sanjiang Plain have close hydrologic relationships,and that the transformation among each water system frequently occurs.

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Surface-Sediment Carbonate in Bosten Lake (Xinjiang,China) and its Controlling Factors

Bosten Lake is a mid-latitude lake with water mainly supplied by melting ice and snow in the Tianshan Mountains. The depositional environment of the lake is spatially not uniform due to the proximity of the major inlet and the single outlet in the western part of the lake. The analytical results show that the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of recent lake sediments is related to this specific lacustrine depositional environment and to the resulting carbonate mineralogy. In the southwestern lake region between the Kaidu River inlet and the Kongqi River outlet, carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） values of the carbonate sediment （-1‰ to -2‰） have no relation to the oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate （δ^18O） values （-7‰ to -8‰）, with both isotopes showing a low variability. The carbonate content is low （〈20%）. Carbonate minerals analyzed by X-ray diffraction are mainly composed of calcite, while aragonite was not recorded. The salinity of the lake water is low in the estuary region as a result of the Kaidu River inflow. In comparison, the carbon and oxygen isotope values are higher in the middle and eastern parts of the lake, with δ^13C values between approximately ＋0.5‰ and ＋3‰, and δ^18O values between -1‰ and -5‰. There is a moderate correlation between the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, with a coefficient of correlation r of approximately 0.63. This implies that the lake water has a relatively short residence time. Carbonate minerals constitute calcite and aragonite in the middle and eastern region of the lake. Aragonite and Mg-calcite are formed at higher lake water salinity and temperatures, and larger evaporation effects. More saline lake water in the middle and eastern region of the lake and the enhanced isotopic equilibrium between water and atmospheric CO2 cause the correlating carbon and oxygen isotope values determined for aragonite and Mg-calcite. Evaporation and biological processes are the main reasons for the salinity and carbonate mineralogy influence of the surface-sediment carbonate in Bosten Lake. The lake water residence time and the CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the water body control the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate sediment. In addition, organic matter pollution and decomposition result in the abnormally low carbon isotope values of the lake surface-sediment carbonate.

Stable isotope analysis of water sources for Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

The complex interactions in desert ecosystems between functional types and environmental conditions could be reflected by plant water use patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the water use patterns as well as the water sources of Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China, remain unclear. This study investigated the water sources and water use patterns of T. laxa using the stable oxygen isotope method. The δ18O values of xylem water, soil water in different layers(0–200 cm), rainwater, snow water, lake water, atmospheric water vapor, condensate water, and groundwater were measured. The sources of water used by T. laxa were determined using the IsoSource model. The results indicate that T. laxa mainly relies on soil water. At the beginning of the growing season(in May), the species is primarily dependent on water from the middle soil layer(60–120 cm) and deep soil layer(120–200 cm). However, it mainly absorbs water from the shallow soil layer(0–60 cm) as the rainy season commences. In September, water use of T. laxa reverts to the deep soil layer(120–200 cm). The water use patterns of T. laxa are closely linked with heavy precipitation events and soil water content. These findings reveal the drought resistance mechanisms of T. laxa and are of significance for screening species for ecological restoration.

Oxygen-18 in different waters in Urumqi River Basin

The variations of the stable oxygen isotope in different water mediums in Urumqi River Basin, China, are analyzed. The stable oxygen isotope in precipitation has marked temperature effect either under synoptic or seasonal scale at the head of Urumqi River. The linear regression equations of δ18O against temperature are δ18O=0.94T-12.38 and δ18O=1.29T-13.05 under the two time scales, respectively. The relatively large δ18O/temperature slopes show the strong sensitivity of δI8O in precipitation to temperature variation at the head of Urumqi River. According to the analyses on the δ18O in precipitation sampled at three stations with different altitudes along Urumqi River, altitude effect is notable in the drainage basin. The δ18O/altitude gradients have distinct differences: the gradient from Urumqi to Yuejinqiao is merely -0.054%c/hm, but -0.192%e/hm from Yuejinqiao to Daxigou, almost increasing by 2.6 times over the former. No altitude effect is found in surface firn in the east branch of Glacier No. 1 at the head of Urumqi River, showing that precipitation in the glacier is from the cloud cluster with the same condensation level. Influenced by strong ablation and evaporation, the δ18O in surface firn increases with increasing altitude sometimes. Survey has found that the δ18O in meltwater at the terminus of Glacier No. 1 and in stream water at Total Control have the similar change trend with the former all smaller than the latter, which displays the different runoff recharges, and all mirror the regime of temperature in the same term basically.

Stable isotope techniques in plant water sources:a review

The stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes widely exist in various kinds of natural water.Plants have to cope with various water sources:rainwater,soil water,groundwater,sea water,and mixtures.These are usually characterized by different isotopic signatures (18O/16O and D/H ratios).Because there are relative abundance variations in water,and plant roots do not discriminate against specific water isotopes during water uptake,hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios of water within plants provide new information on water sources,interactions between plant species and water use patterns under natural conditions.At present,the measurement of δD,δ18O composition of various potential water sources and stem water has become significant means to identify plant water sources.Based on previous studies,this review highlights recent advances such as theory basis,methodology,as well as different spatial and temporal scales,and existed questions and prospects.Stable isotope techniques for estimating plant water sources have provided valuable tools for conducting basic and applied research.Future studies emphasize the modification of preparing methods,isotope technique combined with other measurements,and aerial organs of plant water source should be en-couraged.

Study on Change Rules and Influencing Factors of Soil Moisture in Huaibei Plain

[Objectives]To study the relationship between soil water,groundwater burial depth,and precipitation for summer maize in Huaibei Plain.[Methods]The atmospheric precipitation,soil water and groundwater for the growth period of summer maize in Huaibei Plain were analyzed using the 26-year long series of data from the Wudaogou Hydrological Experimental Station,combined with the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope tracing method.[Results]The average soil moisture content of summer maize in different growth periods showed a trend of first decreasing,then increasing and then decreasing with the increase of soil depth.The average soil moisture content was the lowest at the surface soil layer.From the characteristic values of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of atmospheric precipitation,soil water and groundwater,it can be known that the average values ofδ18O andδD of soil water decreased with the increase of soil depth,indicating that soil moisture evaporation leads to the enrichment of soil heavy isotopes,and the degree of enrichment decreased from the surface layer to the deep layer of the soil.The seasonal variation of the stable isotope of hydrogen and oxygen in soil water declined with the increase of soil depth.The soil water changes at 30 cm and 50 cm soil depths were the most obvious.The soil was easily recharged by precipitation,and soil evaporation was relatively strong.[Conclusions]The research results are favorable for in-depth understanding of the regional water cycle process,and are expected to provide a certain scientific basis for realizing the efficient and sustainable use of regional groundwater.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater and pore-water and the paleoenvironmental evolution in the past 3.10 Ma in the Xiong’an New Area,North China

The groundwater level has been continuously decreasing due to climate change and long-time overexploitation in the Xiong’an New Area,North China,which caused the enhanced mixing of groundwater in different aquifers and significant changes in regional groundwater chemistry characteristics.In this study,groundwater and sediment pore-water in drilling cores obtained from a 600 m borehole were investigated to evaluate hydrogeochemical processes in shallow and deep aquifers and paleo-environmental evolution in the past ca.3.10 Ma.Results showed that there was no obvious change overall in chemical composition along the direction of groundwater runoff,but different hydrochemical processes occurred in shallow and deep groundwater in the vertical direction.Shallow groundwater(<150 m)in the Xiong’an New Area was characterized by high salinity(TDS>1000 mg/L)and high concentrations of Mn and Fe,while deep groundwater had better water quality with lower salinity.The high TDS values mostly occurred in aquifers with depth<70 m and>500 m below land surface.Water isotopes showed that aquifer pore-water mostly originated from meteoric water under the influence of evaporation,and aquitard pore-water belonged to Paleo meteoric water.In addition,the evolution of the paleoclimate since 3.10 Ma BP was reconstructed,and four climate periods were determined by theδ18O profiles of pore-water and sporopollen records from sediments at different depths.It can be inferred that the Quaternary Pleistocene(0.78‒2.58 Ma BP)was dominated by the cold and dry climate of the glacial period,with three interglacial intervals of warm and humid climate.What’s more,this study demonstrates the possibilities of the applications of pore-water on the hydrogeochemical study and further supports the finding that pore-water could retain the feature of paleo-sedimentary water.

Sedimentation Geochemistry and Environmental Changes during the Late Pleistocene of Paleolake Qarhan in the Qaidam Basin

On the basis of the analyses of TOC, CaCO3, δ13Corg, δ18O, and δ13C of the shell bar section in the Qaidam basin, and compared with grain size data, the environmental change history of the high water level of paleolake Qarhan was reconstructed and it could be divided into five stages. From 39.7 to 35.8 kaBP was the development period of high paleolake level. From 35.8 to 33.6 kaBP and 33.6 to 27.2 kaBP, TOC and CaCO3 contents and δ18O values were high, whereas, δ13Corg values and median size content were low, reflecting a warm-humid climate and high lake level. During 27.2-22.3 kaBP and 22.3-17.5 kaBP, both temperature and the lake level were lower than those in the previous stages, but the climate was still warmer and more humid than that of today. The lake level decreased between 32.4 and 32.2 kaBP, 30.4 and 29.8 kaBP, and 28.4 and 27.2 kaBP. Generally, the climate was warm and humid in Qaidam basin and the high lake level sustained between 39.7 and 17.5 kaBP. The lake retreated abruptly at 17.5 kaBP, with a very strong increase in evaporation, which resulted in salt formation and the extinction of Corbicula.

Tracing the Methane Events by Stable Carbon Isotopes of Benthic Foraminifera at Glacial Periods in the Andaman Sea

Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen variations in foraminiferal shells have been widely used in paleo-environment studies.However,studies about the shells of benthic foraminifera in methanehydrate-bearing sediments as reliable geochemical proxies to reconstruct the potential methane release events in the geologic past are rare.In this study,we present the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of fossil benthic foraminifera including one epifaunal species(Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi)and two infaunal species(Bulimina mexicana and Uvigerina peregrina)from the Site U1447 of IODP 353 Expedition to trace methane events in the Andaman Sea,where one of the thickest and deepest gas hydrate stability zones was discovered.Theδ^(13)C values of benthic foraminifera show that there are eight distinct intervals with negative values in the last~10 Myr,interpreted as a record of long-term fluctuations in methane emission.Six of these methane events occurred during the glacial sea-level lowstands in the last~1.1 Myr.We,therefore,infer that the trigger mechanism for these events might be the hydrate destabilization caused by sea level fall.The methane events that occurred at~2.11 and~5.93 Ma are more likely related to the sudden changes in sedimentation,either slide events or marked variations in sedimentation rate.

Application and verification of simultaneous determination of cellulose δ^(13)C and δ^(18)O in Picea shrenkiana tree rings from northwestern China using the high-temperature pyrolysis method

Stable isotopes in tree-ring cellulose provide important data in ecological,archaeological,and paleoenvironmental researches,thereby,the demand for stable isotope analyses is increasing rapidly.Simultaneous measurement of cellulose δC and δO values from tree rings would reduce the cost of isotopic commodities and improve the analytical efficiency compared with conventional separate measurement.In this study,we compared the δC and δO values of tree-ringα-cellulose from Tianshan spruce(Picea schrenkiana)in an arid site in the drainage basin of the Urumqi River in Xinjiang of northwestern China based on separate and simultaneous measurements,using the combustion method(at1050°C)and the high-temperature pyrolysis method(at 1350°C and 1400°C).We verified the results of simultaneous measurement using the outputs from separate measurement and found that both methods(separate and simultaneous)produced similar δC values.The two-point calibrated method improved the results(range and variation)of δC and δO values.The mean values,standard deviations,and trends of the tree-ring δC obtained by the combustion method were similar to those by the pyrolysis method followed by two-point calibration.The simultaneously measured δO from the pyrolysis method at 1400°C had a nearly constant offset with that the pyrolysis method at 1350°C due to isotopic-dependence on the reaction temperature.However,they showed similar variations in the time series.The climate responses inferred from simultaneously and separately measured δC and δO did not differ between the two methods.The tree-ring δC and δO values were negatively correlated with standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index from May to August.In addition,the δO was significantly correlated with temperature(positive),precipitation(negative),and relative humidity(negative)from May to August.The tree-ring δC and δO values determined simultaneously through the high-temperature pyrolysis method could produce acceptable and reliable stable isotope series.The simultaneous isotopic measurement can greatly reduce the cost and time requirement compared with the separate isotopic measurement.These results are consistent with the previous studies at humid sites,suggesting that the simultaneous determination of δC and δO in tree-ringα-cellulose can be used in wide regions.

Carbon cycle variability in tropical Atlantic across two Early Eocene hyperthermals

Early Eocene hyperthermals are geologically short-lived global warming events and represent fundamental perturbations to the global carbon cycle and the Earth’s ecosystem due to massive additions of isotopically light carbon to the ocean-atmosphere system.They serve as ancient analogs for understanding how the oceanic carbonate system and surface-ocean ecosystem would respond to ongoing and future climate change.Here,we present a continuous carbonate record across the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2(ETM2 or H1,ca.54.1 Ma)and H2(ca.54 Ma)events from an expanded section at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1258 in tropical Atlantic.The abundant calcareous nannofossils and moderate carbonate content throughout the studied interval suggest this record was deposited above the calcite compensation depth(CCD),but below the lysocline and under the influence of terrestrial dilution.An Earth system model cGENIE is used to simulate the carbon cycle dynamics across the ETM2 and H2 to offer insights on the mechanism of the rapid warming and subsequent recovery in climate and ecosystem.The model suggests moderate changes in ocean pH(0.1–0.2 unit)for the two scenarios,biogenic methane from a rechargeable methane capacitor and organic matter oxidation from thawing of the permafrost.These pH changes are consistent with a recent independent pH estimate across the ETM2 using boron isotopes.The carbon emission flux during the ETM2 is at least an order of magnitude smaller than that during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum(PETM)(0.015–0.05 Pg C yr^(-1)vs.0.3–1.7 Pg C yr^(-1)).The comparable pre-and post-event carbonate contents suggest the lysocline did not over deepen following the ETM2 at this tropical Atlantic site,indicating spatial heterogeneity in the carbonate system due to strong dilution influence from terrestrial weathering and riverine discharge at Site 1258.

Isotopic and Chemical Characteristics of Lagoon Waters in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

In order to investigate the isotopic and chemical characteristics of lagoon waters in Niigata Prefecture in recent years, oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope ratios （i.e., 8180 and 6D）, the concentrations of DOC （dissolved organic carbon）, DO （dissolved oxygen） and pH, etc. in water samples of Sakata and Toyanogata were measured. Samples were generally taken monthly at the fixed sampling points from these lagoons. Consequently, the following matters have been mainly clarified： （1） ~D value of water samples in Sakata was generally larger than that in Toyanogata similarly to the case of ~180, though remarkable large difference among samples was not found; （2） the pH value of lagoon water samples is almost 6.5-8.5 （which is generally larger than that of river water）, and pH at the spot of SI （downstream point of Lower Lagoon （Shitakata）） is remarkably high （9.0-9.5）; （3） Lagoon water has the chemical characteristics contrasting to groundwater with a focus on river water from the viewpoint of pH （acidity or alkalinity） and DO. These matters can be closely related to the biological activity such as photosynthesis due to aquatic plant and phytoplankton and the activity of Crustacea plankton etc. in lagoon.

Water sources of plants and groundwater in typical ecosystems in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin

Stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions （δ18O and δD） of soil water and shallow groundwater of a riparian forest, an artificial shrub forest, and Gobi of the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin are used to study the recharge water sources of those ecosystems. IsoSource software is used to determine the δ180 values for root water of Populous euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima in the riparian forest ecosystem, Haloxylon ammodendron in the artificial shrub forest, and Reaumuria soongorica in the Gobi, as well as for local soil water and groundwater, and precipitation in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin. Our results showed that soil water and shallow groundwater of the riparian forest and the artificial shrub forest were recharged by river water which originated from precipitation in the upper reaches, and strong evaporation occurred in the artificial shrub forest. Soil water of the Gobi was not affected by Heihe River water due to this area being far away from the river channel. The main water sources of Populous euphratica were from 40-60-cm soil water and groundwater, and of Tamarix ramosissima were from 40-80-cm soil water in the riparian forest ecosystem. In the artificial forest, Haloxylon ammodendron used 200-cm saturated-layer soil water and shallow groundwater. The Reaumuria soongorica mainly used soil water from the 175-200-cm depth in the Gobi. Therefore, soil water and groundwater are the main water sources which maintain survival and growth of the plants in the extremely arid regions of the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin.

Neogene oxygen isotopic stratigraphy,ODP Site 1148,northern South China Sea

A detailed stable isotopic study based on benthic foraminifera from 1165 samples of ODP Site 1148 (18° 50.17.3’N, 116° 33.93’E, water depth 3308.3 m), northern South China Sea, provides an excellent oxygen isotopic record with an average resolution of 30 ka. It contains the most continuous δ18O data with highest resolution for the whole Neogene sequence in the world. The δ18O curve shows a step-like increasing upwards and records 5 increases, 3 decreases and 2 stable stages during the Neogene, reflecting the general trend of global cooling. Among these events the δ18O decrease at 17.2–14.5 Ma, and two δ18O increases at 14.5-13.6 and 3.0-2.4 Ma are most marked and globally comparable. The intervals at 13.6-10.2 and 6.0-3.0 Ma with the lowest-amplitude and least fluctuation in δ18O represent the most stable bottom water periods for the South China Sea.

Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Stratigraphy of the Oxfordian Carbonate Rocks in Amu Darya Basin

Based on the detailed research on petrologic and geochemical characteristics of deposi- tion and diagenesis of Oxfordian carbonate rocks in Amu Darya Basin, Turkmenistan, carbon and oxygen isotopes were analyzed. The results show that the paleoenvironmental evolution reflected by the samples with well-preserved original carbon isotopes coincides with the carbon-isotope stratigraphic curve and is almost consistent with the global sea-level curve, the Mid-Oxfordian wide transgression, and the positive carbon-isotope excursion event. The Mid-Oxfordian continuing transgression not only laid the foundation for the development of the Oxfordian reef and shoal reservoirs in Amu Darya Basin but also provided an example for the Oxfordian global transgression and the resulting development of reefs and banks and high-speed organic carbon burial events. The response of oxygen isotopes in diagenetic environment showed that micrite limestones and granular limestones underwent weak diagenetic alteration, and the samples largely retained the original seawater features. Dolomitization and the precipitation of hydrothermal calcites filling solution vugs and fractures before hydrocarbon accumulation occurred in a closed diagenetic environment where the main controlling factor is the temperature, and the diagenetic fluids were from the deep hot brine. The chalkification of the lime- stones after hydrocarbon accumulation occurred in the oilfield water systems.