Research hotspots and trends of groundwater and ecology studies:Based on a bibliometric approach

Groundwater,as a critical component of the hydrological cycle,is essential for sustainable ecosystem development.To clarify the current status of domestic and overseas research,and to identify hotspots,frontier and future trends of groundwater and ecology research,this study utilizes bibliometric methods and CiteSpace software to examine relevant published articles in the Web of Science(WOS)and CNKI databases from 1978 to 2022.Specifically,this study analyzes(1)the annual number of published papers;(2)research institutions;(3)keywords;and(4)evolution of research hotspots.The findings reveal that the United States,China,and Germany are the top three countries in groundwater and ecology research.International research hotspots mainly focus on microbial ecology,climate change,groundwater-surface water interactions in the hyporheic zone,biodiversity,and submarine groundwater discharge,while domestic research hotspots mainly focus on ecological water conveyance,ecological flow,groundwater development and utilization,groundwater pollution,and groundwater and ecological protection.Both domestic and international research hotspots exhibit interdisciplinary features with diverse research objects and assessment methods.Future research in this area is expected to focus on topics such as contamination,groundwater quality,framework,mechanism,spatial distribution,and dissolved organic matter.Additionally,the study of ecological recharge,ecological flow,ecological protection,water intake and use will continue to be the hot topics domestically.

Groundwater and environmental challenges in Asia

Asia stands out as the most populous and geographically diverse region globally.The pressing issues of water resource development and the resulting ecological impacts are exacerbated by the region's rapid population growth and economic expansion.Groundwater,a vital source of water in Asia,faces significant disparities in distribution and suffers from unsustainable exploitation practices.This study applies groundwater system theory and categorizes Asia into 11 primary groundwater systems and 36 secondary ones,based on intercontinental geological structures,climate,terrain,and hydrogeological characteristics.As of the end of 2010,Asia's assessed groundwater resources totalled 4.677×10^(9) m^(3)/a,with exploitable resources amounting to 3.274×10^(9) m^(3)/a.By considering the geological environmental impacts of groundwater development and the distinctive characteristics of terrain and landforms,six categories of effect zones with varying distribution patterns are identified.The current research on Asia's groundwater resources,environmental dynamics,and human impacts aims to provide a theoretical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and environmental conservation in the region.

Effective groundwater level recovery from mining reduction: Case study of Baoding and Shijiazhuang Plain area

The effective recovery of water level is a crucial measure of the success of comprehensive groundwater over-exploitation management actions in North China.However,traditional evaluation method do not directly capture the relationship between mining and other equilibrium elements.This study presents an innovative evaluation method to assess the water level recovery resulting from mining reduction based on the relationship between variation in exploitation and recharge.Firstly,the recharge variability of source and sink terms for both the base year and evaluation year is calculated and the coefficient of recharge variationβis introduced,which is then used to calculate the effective mining reduction and solve the water level recovery value caused by the effective mining reduction,and finally the water level recovery contribution by mining reduction is calculated by combining with the actual volume of mining reduction in the evaluation area.This research focuses on Baoding and Shijiazhuang Plain area,which share similar hydrogeological conditions but vary in groundwater exploitation and utilization.As the effect of groundwater level recovery with mining reduction was evaluated in these two areas as case study.In 2018,the results showed an effective water level recovery of 0.17 m and 0.13 m in the shallow groundwater of Shijiazhuang and Baoding Plain areas,respectively.The contributions of recovery from mining reduction were 76%and 57.98%for these two areas,respectively.It was notable that the water level recovery was most prominent in the foothill plain regions.From the evaluation results,it is evident that water level recovery depends not only on the intensity of groundwater mining reduction,but also on its effectiveness.The value of water level recovery alone cannot accurately indicate the intensity of mining reduction,as recharge variation significantly influences water level changes.Therefore,in practice,it is crucial to comprehensively assess the impact of mining reduction on water level recovery by combining the coefficient of recharge variation with the contribution of water level recovery from mining reduction.This integrated approach provide a more reasonable and scientifically supported basis,offering essential data support for groundwater management and conservation.To improve the accuracy and reliability of evaluation results,future work will focus on the standardizing and normalizing raw data processing.

Landslide susceptibility assessment in Western Henan Province based on a comparison of conventional and ensemble machine learning

Landslide is a serious natural disaster next only to earthquake and flood,which will cause a great threat to people’s lives and property safety.The traditional research of landslide disaster based on experience-driven or statistical model and its assessment results are subjective,difficult to quantify,and no pertinence.As a new research method for landslide susceptibility assessment,machine learning can greatly improve the landslide susceptibility model’s accuracy by constructing statistical models.Taking Western Henan for example,the study selected 16 landslide influencing factors such as topography,geological environment,hydrological conditions,and human activities,and 11 landslide factors with the most significant influence on the landslide were selected by the recursive feature elimination(RFE)method.Five machine learning methods[Support Vector Machines(SVM),Logistic Regression(LR),Random Forest(RF),Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost),and Linear Discriminant Analysis(LDA)]were used to construct the spatial distribution model of landslide susceptibility.The models were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and statistical index.After analysis and comparison,the XGBoost model(AUC 0.8759)performed the best and was suitable for dealing with regression problems.The model had a high adaptability to landslide data.According to the landslide susceptibility map of the five models,the overall distribution can be observed.The extremely high and high susceptibility areas are distributed in the Funiu Mountain range in the southwest,the Xiaoshan Mountain range in the west,and the Yellow River Basin in the north.These areas have large terrain fluctuations,complicated geological structural environments and frequent human engineering activities.The extremely high and highly prone areas were 12043.3 km^(2)and 3087.45 km^(2),accounting for 47.61%and 12.20%of the total area of the study area,respectively.Our study reflects the distribution of landslide susceptibility in western Henan Province,which provides a scientific basis for regional disaster warning,prediction,and resource protection.The study has important practical significance for subsequent landslide disaster management.

The distribution and ecological risks of antibiotics in surface water in key cities along the lower reaches of the Yellow River:A case study of Kaifeng City,China

A large number of antibiotics have been discharged into rivers by human activities,posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems.The surface water of the Yellow River Basin also suffers antibiotic pollution,which hinders the improvement in the aquatic ecological environment.This study investigated and analyzed the characteristics and assessed the ecological risks of antibiotic pollution in surface water bodies such as canals,rivers and fish ponds in Kaifeng,Henan Province,which is a key city along the lower reaches of the Yellow River.The test results are as follows.A total of 15 types of antibiotics were detected in the surface water.They had a total antibiotic concentration of 12.2-249.9μg/L,of which tetracyclines(TCs)and quinolones accounted for the highest percentages.Six types of quinolones had detection rates of up to 100%,and doxycycline(DC)and oxytetracycline(OTC)had average concentrations of 29.52μg/L1 and 13.71μg/L,respectively.The major canals with water diverted from the Yellow River had total concentrations of quinolones and TCs of 22.0μg/L and 14.9μg/L,respectively,which were higher than those in previous studies.This phenomenon may be related to the decrease in the water flow of the Yellow River during the dry season and the increase in the antibiotic consumption of residents in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak.The upper reaches of the Huiji River in the Xiangfu District had higher antibiotic content than other districts in Kaifeng.Specifically,TCs accounted for 72.38%-91.84%of all antibiotics,and the DC and OTC concentrations were significantly higher than other antibiotics in the upper reaches.As indicated by the ecological risk assessment results,TCs had the highest ecological risks to green algae.Among them,DC had medium-high risks;TC,OTC,and chlortetracycline(CTC)had medium-high risks;trimethoprim(TMP)and lomefloxacin(LOM)had low risks;other TC antibiotics had no risk.Compared with green algae,most antibiotics showed higher ecological risks to daphnia and lower ecological risks to fish.DC and OTC dominate antibiotic pollutants in the surface water in Kaifeng City,and especially in Xiangfu District,where DC and OTC have medium-high risks.The TCs in the major Yellow River showed medium risks to both green algae and daphnia.It can be speculated that the antibiotic pollution in the Yellow River might pose a certain threat to the ecological security of water in Kaifeng City.

Quantifying groundwater recharge and discharge for the middle reach of Heihe River of China using isotope mass balance method

The study aims to identify a suitable site for open and bore well in a farmhouseusing ground magnetic survey in south India.It also aims to define depth to granitoid and structural elements which traverse the selected area.Magnetic data(n=84)measured,processed and interpreted as qualitative and quantitatively.The results of total magnetic intensities indicate that the area is composed of linear magnetic lows trending NE-SW direction and circular to semi-circular causative bodies.The magnetic values ranged from-137 nT to 2345 nT with a mean of 465 nT.Reduction to equator shows significant shifting of causative bodies in the southern and northern directions.Analytical signal map shows exact boundary of granitic bodies.Cosine directional filter has brought out structural element trending NE-SW direction.Results of individual profile brought to light structurally weak zone between 90 m and 100 m in all the profile lines.Sudden decrease of magnetic values from 2042 nT to 126 nT noticed in profile line 6 between 20 m and 30 m indicates fault occurrence.Magnetic breaks obtained from these maps were visualized,interpreted and identified two suitable sites for open and bore well.Radially averaged power spectrum estimates depth of shallow and deep sources in 5 m and 50 m,respectively.Euler method has also been applied to estimate depth of granitoid and structural elements using structural indexes 0,1,2,and 3 and found depth ranges from<10 m to>90 m.Study indicates magnetic method is one of the geophysical methods suitable for groundwater exploration and site selection for open and borewells.

Influence of water conservancy project on runoff in the source region of the Yellow River and wetland changes in the Lakeside Zone,China

The source area of the Yellow River(SAYR),located above the Huangheyan hydrological station,is important for ecological preservation and water source conservation in the Yellow River Basin.In this area,the impact of water conservation projects on the hydrology and the ecological environment is pivotal in protecting water resources and alpine vegetation ecosystems.This study investigates the impact of the Yellow River Source Hydropower Station on the runoff and ecological evolution of the SAYR,along with the underlying mechanism,using extensive datasets encompassing long-term meteorological,hydrological and remote sensing data from various time periods.Results show that,over the long term,precipitation is the primary factor driving runoff variations in the SAYR.Nevertheless,from 1990 to 2020,there is a notably inconsistent relationship between precipitation and runoff.After the completion of the Yellow River Source Hydropower Station in 2001,the water level of Eling Lake experienced and elevation of 2–3 m,leading to a gradual recovery of runoff.In addition,the basin's water balance shifted from a negative to a positive equilibrium,oscillating with changes in lake water levels.Consequently,the overflow zone of the Tangchama alluvial–proluvial fan in the upper reaches of the lakeshore shifted by 500 m,and marsh wetlands expanded by 20.78 km^(2).The increased storage of lakes and groundwater in the SAYR is the key controlling factor for the runoff recovery,changes in the basin's water balance,and enhancements in lakeshore vegetation ecology.Under the geological background of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau's upliftment and intensified upstream river erosion,the basin experienced a substantial water imbalance due to declining discharge base levels,which is the most critical factor behind runoff attenuation in the SAYR towards the end of the 20th century.The construction of the hydropower station objectively raised the drainage base level of the basin,thereby positively contributing to the preservation of water balance,runoff stability,and the enhancement of swamps and wetlands along the lakeshore.

Characteristics of groundwater and urban emergency water sources optimazation in Luoyang,China

The construction of emergency water sources is the material basis for ensuring urban water safety,and it is also an inherent requirement for maintaining social stability and development.The hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater in Luoyang City from the aspects of the division of groundwater aquifer groups,water yield property and groundwater dynamics were described in this paper.Two emergency water sources were selected on basis of comprehensively considering groundwater resources and ecological environmental effects,groundwater quality and exploitation technology,etc.Then it further analysed the aquifer types,water yield properties and groundwater recharge,runoff and discharge conditions of the two emergency water sources,and evaluate the groundwater resources quantity of the water sources.The results are that the shallow underground aquifer in Luoyang City is thick,coarse,and stable in lithology and thickness.The two water sources enjoy good exploitation potential and can be used as backup water sources to supply water in the event of a water source crisis.

Effect of groundwater on the ecological water environment of typical inland lakes in the Inner Mongolian Plateau

To explore the causes of the ecological environment deterioration of lakes in the Inner Mongolia Plateau,this study took a typical inland lake Daihai as an example,and investigated the groundwater recharge in the process of lake shrinkage and eutrophication.Using the radon isotope(^(222)Rn)as the main means of investigation,the ^(222)Rn mass balance equation was established to evaluate the groundwater recharge in Daihai.The spatial variability of ^(222)Rn activity in lake water and groundwater,the contribution of groundwater recharge to lake water balance and its effect on nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in lake water were discussed.The analysis showed that,mainly controlled by the fault structure,the activity of ^(222)Rn in groundwater north and south of Daihai is higher than that in the east and west,and the difference in lithology and hydraulic gradient may also be the influencing factors of this phenomenon.The ^(222)Rn activity of the middle and southeast of the underlying lake is greater,indicating that the ^(222)Rn flux of groundwater inflow is higher,and the runoff intensity is greater,which is the main groundwater recharge area for the lake.The estimated groundwater recharge in 2021 was 3017×10^(4) m^(3),which was 57%of the total recharge to the lake,or 1.6 times and 8.1 times that of precipitation and surface runoff.The TN and TP contents in Daihai have been rising continuously,and the average TN and TP concentrations in the lake water in 2021 were 4.21 mg·L^(−1) and 0.12 mg·L^(−1),respectively.The TN and TP contents entering the lake with groundwater recharge were 6.8 times and 8.7 times above those of runoff,accounting for 87%and 90%of the total input,respectively.The calculation results showed that groundwater is not only the main source of recharge for Daihai,but also the main source of exogenous nutrients.In recent years,the pressurized exploitation of groundwater in the basin is beneficial in increasing the groundwater recharge to the lake,reducing the water balance difference of the lake,and slowing down the shrinking degree of the lake surface.However,under the action of high evaporation,nitrogen and phosphorus brought by groundwater recharge would become more concentrated in the lake,leading to a continuous increase in the content of nutrients and degree of eutrophication.Therefore,the impact of changes in regional groundwater quantity and quality on Daihai is an important issue that needs further assessment.

Numerical simulation and environmental impact prediction of karst groundwater in Sangu Spring Basin,China

The changes of development and utilization of karst groundwater in Sangu Spring Basin have made the original groundwater resource evaluation unable to meet the needs of future economic development.Based on analysis of existing data,combined with the characteristics of supplement,runoff and draining of regional karst groundwater,the Visual Modelflow software was used to build a numerical simulation model of Sangu spring Basin.The amount of karst groundwater resource and groundwater environment of the Basin were evaluated under different exploitation schemes,and the changes of karst groundwater environment in the future ten years were also predicted.The fitting error which is less than 0.5 m between the calculated value and measured value of the water level in the fitted borehole accounts for 93%.For the lithologically and structurally complex Sangu Spring Basin,the fitting effect of numerical simulation model was ideal.On the basis of the current mining amount of 111.80 million m3/a,the total redistributed exploited amount in the spring region was 61.79 million m3/a.Under the condition that the quantity of recoverable resources reached 173.59 million m3/a and under different precipitation schemes,all constraint conditions were satisfied,such as regional water level drawdown,maximum allowable water level drawdown in every simulated water source area and the flow rate of Guobi Spring.The results will provide a scientific basis for the rational development and utilization of karst groundwater in Sangu Spring Basin.

Source identification of methane in groundwater in shale gas development areas:A critical review of the state of the art,prospects,and future challenges

The study aims to identify a suitable site for open and bore well in a farmhouseusing ground magnetic survey in south India.It also aims to define depth to granitoid and structural elements which traverse the selected area.Magnetic data(n=84)measured,processed and interpreted as qualitative and quantitatively.The results of total magnetic intensities indicate that the area is composed of linear magnetic lows trending NE-SW direction and circular to semi-circular causative bodies.The magnetic values ranged from-137 nT to 2345 nT with a mean of 465 nT.Reduction to equator shows significant shifting of causative bodies in the southern and northern directions.Analytical signal map shows exact boundary of granitic bodies.Cosine directional filter has brought out structural element trending NE-SW direction.Results of individual profile brought to light structurally weak zone between 90 m and 100 m in all the profile lines.Sudden decrease of magnetic values from 2042 nT to 126 nT noticed in profile line 6 between 20 m and 30 m indicates fault occurrence.Magnetic breaks obtained from these maps were visualized,interpreted and identified two suitable sites for open and bore well.Radially averaged power spectrum estimates depth of shallow and deep sources in 5 m and 50 m,respectively.Euler method has also been applied to estimate depth of granitoid and structural elements using structural indexes 0,1,2,and 3 and found depth ranges from<10 m to>90 m.Study indicates magnetic method is one of the geophysical methods suitable for groundwater exploration and site selection for open and borewells.

Ecological function zoning and protection of groundwater in Asia

The natural groundwater recharge in Asia is estimated to be 4677.74×10^(9)m^(3)/a.However,it features extremely uneven spatial-temporal distribution.Groundwater is distributed in various natural and geological environments,and it is liable to be affected by numerous factors and possesses different properties.Moreover,groundwater faces complex ecological problems.This paper gains a complete understanding of groundwater in Asia in terms of the structure of aquifer systems,the processes of groundwater cycle,and the spatial variation laws of surface ecosystems.Based on this,it proposes the ecological function zoning scheme of groundwater in Asia,aiming to provide guidance for the utilization of regional water resources and the planning for economic and social development,coordinate the relationship between social and economic development and water resource protection,and improve the ecological functions of groundwater.Furthermore,this paper analyzes the problems with regional groundwater management in Asia and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions,thus providing a theoretical basis for the sustainable development and utilization of regional groundwater and environmental protection.

Comprehensive evaluation on the ecological function of groundwater in the Shiyang River watershed

With an arid climate and shortage of water resources,the groundwater dependent ecosystems in the oasis-desert ecotone of the Shiyang River Watershed has been extremely damaged,and the water crisis in the oasis has become a major concern in the social and the scientific community.In this study,the degene-ration characteristics of the groundwater ecological function was identified and comprehensive evaluated,based on groundwater depth data,vegetation quadrat and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)from Landsat program.The results showed that(1)the suitable groundwater depth for sustainable ecology in the Shiyang River Watershed is about 2-4 m;(2)the terms of degenerative,qualitative and disastrous stages of the groundwater ecological function are defined with the groundwater depths of about 5 m,7 m and 10 m;(3)generally,the groundwater ecological function in the oasis-desert ecotone of the lower reaches of Shiyang River Watershed is weak with an area of 1397.9 km2 identified as the severe deterioration region,which accounted 74.7%of the total area.In the meantime,the percentages of the good,mild and moderate deterioration areas of groundwater ecological function are 3.5%,5.5%and 16.3%,respectively,which were mainly distributed in the Qingtu lake area and the southeastern area of the Shoucheng town;(4)the degradation and shrinkage of natural oasis could be attributed to the dramatic groundwater decline,which is generally caused by irrational use of water and soil resources.This study could provide theoretical basis and scientific support for the decision-making in environmental management and ecological restoration of the Shiyang River Watershed.

Hydrogeochemistry of River Water in the Upper Reaches of the Datong River Basin,China:Implications of Anthropogenic Inputs and Chemical Weathering

This research investigated anthropogenic inputs and chemical weathering in the upper reaches of the Datong River Basin,a tributary of the upper Yellow River,NW China.Multiple approaches were applied to data from 52 water and 12 soil samples from the Muli,Jiangcang,and Mole basins to estimate the chemical component concentrations and to analyze hydrochemical characteristics,distribution patterns,and origins in this coal mining-affected river basin.Coal mining has enhanced the weathering of the lithosphere in the study region.The total dissolved solids in the river range from 145.4 to 701.9 mg/L,which is higher than the global average for rivers.Ion concentration spatial distributions increase around mining areas.River geochemistry is mainly controlled by coal mining activity,carbonate weathering,and silicate weathering,with variances of 33.4%,26.2%,and 21.3%,respectively.Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+),and HCO_(3)^(-)are mainly due to the dissolution of carbonate minerals(calcite>dolomite);Si and K+are mainly from potassium(sodium)feldspar weathering;and Na+and SO_(4)^(2-)mainly from coal mine production.A conceptual model of the river water ion origins from the study area is presented and management implications for improving the adverse effects of coal mining are proposed.These results provide an important standard reference for water resource and environmental management in the study region.

Analysis on the situation and countermeasures of water resources supply and demand in the cities of small and medium-sized river basins along southeast coast of China-taking Xiamen City as an example

The small and medium-sized river basins along southeast coast of China hold comparatively abundant water resources.However,the rapid resources urbanization in recent years has produced a series of water problems such as deterioration of river water quality,water shortage and exacerbated floods,which have constrained urban economic development.By applying the principle of triple supply-demand equilibrium,this paper focuses on the estimation of levels of water supply and demand in 2030 at different guarantee probabilities,with a case study of Xiamen city.The results show that water shortage and inefficient utilization are main problems in the city,as the future water supply looks daunting,and a water shortage may hit nearly 2×10^(8)m^(3)in an extraordinarily dry year.Based on current water supply-demand gap and its trend,this paper proposes countermeasures and suggestions for developing and utilizing groundwater resources and improving the utilization rate of water resources,which can supply as a reference for other southeast middle-to-small-sized basin cities in terms of sustainable water resources and water environment protection.

Tracing runoff components in the headwater area of Heihe River by isotopes and hydrochemistry

Since water resources of the Heihe River Basin are primarily in the form of surface runoff in the Qilian Mountains,identifying its sources and components is essential for researchers to understand water cycling and transformation in the basin.It will help to properly exploit water resources,and contribute to ecological environment construction.The paper uses the isotope data of hydrogen and oxygen in water and hydrochemistry data collected at a high altitude to trace the sources of surface runoff in Heihe River in rainy season and uses the three-component mixing model to estimate the contribution of each component to runoff.Results indicate that surface water consists of precipitation,melt water and groundwater,with precipitation being the primary component and contributing to 59%-64%of runoff.Melt water and groundwater account for 15%-25%and 12%-22%,respectively.Precipitation accounts for 60%,groundwater for 22%and glacial melt water for 18%of the outflow in the main stream of the Heihe River.The composition is of great significance for water cycling and conversion research as well as water resource evaluation and management.

Response of runoff to climate change in the area of runoff yield in upstream Shiyang River Basin,Northwest China:A case study of the Xiying River

The objective of this study was to analyze the response of runoff in the area of runoff yield of the upstream Shiyang River basin to climate change and to promote sustainable development of regional water resources and ecological environment.As the biggest tributary of the Shiyang River,Xiying River is the only hydrological station(Jiutiaoling) that has provincial natural river and can achieve long time series monitoring data in the basin.The data obtained from this station is representative of natural conditions because it has little human activites.This study built a regression model through identifying the characteristics of runoff and climate change by using Mann-Kendall nonparametric statistical test,cumulative anomaly,and correlation analysis.The results show that the average annual runoff is 320.6 million m3/a with the coefficient of variation of 0.18 and shows slightly decrease during 1956-2020.It has a significant positive correlation the average annual precipitation(P<0.01).Runoff is sensitive to climate change,and the climate has becoming warm and wet and annual runoff has entering wet period from 2003.Compared to the earlier period(1955-2000),the increases of average annual temperature,precipitation and runoff in recent two decades were 15%,9.3%,and 7.8%,respectively.Runoff in the Shiyang River is affected by temperature and precipitation among climate factors,and the simulation results of the runoff-climate response model(R=0.0052P-0.1589T+2.373) indicate that higher temperature leads to a weakening of the ecological regulation of surface runoff in the flow-producing area.

Sensitivity assessment of strontium isotope as indicator of polluted groundwater for hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids produced in the Dameigou Shale of Qaidam Basin

Hydrogeochemical processes that would occur in polluted groundwater and aquifer system,may reduce the sensitivity of Sr isotope being the indicator of hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids(HFFF)in groundwater.In this paper,the Dameigou shale gas field in the northern Qaidam Basin was taken as the study area,where the hydrogeochemical processes affecting Sr isotope was analysed.Then,the model for Sr isotope in HFFF-polluted groundwater was constructed to assess the sensitivity of Sr isotope as HFFF indicator.The results show that the dissolution can release little Sr to polluted groundwater and cannot affect the εSr(the deviation of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio)of polluted groundwater.In the meantime,cation exchange can considerably affect Sr composition in the polluted groundwater.The Sr with low εSr is constantly released to groundwater from the solid phase of aquifer media by cation exchange with pollution of Quaternary groundwater by the HFFF and it accounts for 4.6% and 11.0% of Sr in polluted groundwater when the HFFF flux reaches 10% and 30% of the polluted groundwater,respectively.However,the Sr from cation exchange has limited impact on Sr isotope in polluted groundwater.Addition of Sr from cation exchange would only cause a 0.2%and 1.2% decrease in εSr of the polluted groundwater when the HFFF flux reaches 10% and 30% of the polluted groundwater,respectively.These results demonstrate that hydrogeochemical processes have little effect on the sensitivity of Sr isotope being the HFFF indicator in groundwater of the study area.For the scenario of groundwater pollution by HFFF,when the HFFF accounts for 5%(in volume percentage)of the polluted groundwater,the HFFF can result in detectable shifts of εSr(Δ_(εSr)=0.86)in natural groundwater.Therefore,after consideration of hydrogeochemical processes occurred in aquifer with input of the HFFF,Sr isotope is still a sensitive indicator of the Quaternary groundwater pollution by the HFFF produced in the Dameigou shale of Qaidam Basin.

Grain size characteristics and genesis of the Muxing loess in the Muling- Xingkai Plain,Northeast China

Thick loess is deposited on the platform in the piedmont zone of Muling-Xingkai Plain(Muxing Plain),but the genesis of the Muxing loess is still unclear.The aims of this study are to analyze the grain size characteristics of Muxing loess collected from the cores of a typical borehole(ZK1)in the piedmont zone of Muxing Plain,and to verify its genesis.The Muxing loess is mainly composed of the particles with diameter less than 50μm,with an average content of 92.48%.The coarse silt particles with diameter of 10-50μm are the basic composition of aeolian sediments,and their average content is 44.34% for the Muxing loess,which is the mode class among the particles with different diameters.The grain size parameters and frequency curves are similar to those of the typical aeolian sediments.The distribution characteristic of the Muxing loess in the C-M scatter diagram is consistent with that of the Xi Feng loess.In addition,the discriminant analysis shows the Muxing loess mostly consists of aeolian sediments.Therefore,it can be concluded that the Muxing loess mainly resulted from aeolian deposition based on the grain size characteristics.Muxing Plain is dominated by the monsoon climate,and the wind-blown dusts are gradually deposited after being transported over long distances.

Temporal variations of reference evapotranspiration and controlling factors:Implications for climatic drought in karst areas

Variations in reference evapotranspiration(ET_(0)) and drought characteristics play a key role in the effect of climate change on water cycle and associated ecohydrological patterns.The accurate estimation of ET_(0) is still a challenge due to the lack of meteorological data and the heterogeneity of hydrological system.Although there is an increasing trend in extreme drought events with global climate change,the relationship between ET_(0) and aridity index in karst areas has been poorly studied.In this study,we used the Penman-Monteith method based on a long time series of meteorological data from 1951 to 2015 to calculate ET_(0)in a typical karst area,Guilin,Southwest China.The temporal variations in climate variables,ET_(0)and aridity index(AI)were analyzed with the Mann-Kendall trend test and linear regression to determine the climatic characteristics,associated controlling factors of ET_(0) variations,and further to estimate the relationship between ET_(0) and AI.We found that the mean,maximum and minimum temperatures had increased significantly during the 65-year study period,while sunshine duration,wind speed and relative humidity exhibited significant decreasing trends.The annual ET_(0) showed a significant decreasing trend at the rate of−8.02 mm/10a.However,significant increase in air temperature should have contributed to the enhancement of ET_(0),indicating an“evaporation paradox”.In comparison,AI showed a slightly declining trend of−0.0005/a during 1951-2015.The change in sunshine duration was the major factor causing the decrease in ET_(0),followed by wind speed.AI had a higher correlation with precipitation amount,indicating that the variations of AI was more dependent on precipitation,but not substantially dependent on the ET_(0).Although AI was not directly related to ET_(0),ET_(0)had a major contribution to seasonal AI changes.The seasonal variations of ET_(0)played a critical role in dryness/wetness changes to regulate water and energy supply,which can lead to seasonal droughts or water shortages in karst areas.Overall,these findings provide an important reference for the management of agricultural production and water resources,and have an important implication for drought in karst regions of China.