Water resources in inland regions of central Asia: Evidence from stable isotope tracing
Autor: | Qi Feng, Yang Shi, Bai-Juan Zhang, Zongxing Li, Xufeng Wang, Tongtiegang Zhao, Juan Gui, Xiaoyan Guo, Chaojun Ouyang |
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Rok vydání: | 2019 |
Předmět: |
Hydrology
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Moisture recycling 0207 environmental engineering 02 engineering and technology 01 natural sciences Arid Water resources Evapotranspiration Environmental science Precipitation Water cycle 020701 environmental engineering Meltwater Groundwater 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology |
Zdroj: | Journal of Hydrology. 570:1-16 |
ISSN: | 0022-1694 |
Popis: | Complex hydrological processes affect valuable water resources in inland regions across arid central Asia. Historically, this was a critical part of the Silk Road, and it is now named the modern Silk Road Economic Belt. Using the Qilian Mountains and Hexi Corridor in China as a case-study of the inland region, we collected a total of 2311 water samples from the area and performed a comprehensive investigation of the water cycle. Results from stable isotope tracing indicate clear spatial patterns. In the upstream mountainous regions, glacier snow meltwater becomes groundwater at the periglacial belt. Supra-permafrost water develops into river runoff in the permafrost region. There are also frequent exchanges between groundwater and river runoff along the vegetation belt. In the middle/downstream region, river runoff becomes groundwater. Throughout these processes, both river runoff and groundwater are consumed by evapotranspiration, are recycled, and make a substantial contribution to precipitation. Overall, the upstream mountainous region is a critical part of the water resources. The cryosphere belt accounts for 44% of the mountainous region but contributes to about 80% of water resources. Recycling of moisture also plays an important role. During the summer months (May to September) moisture recycling accounted for 24% and 14% of precipitation in upstream and middle/downstream regions, respectively. The findings from the stable isotope tracing provide insights into hydrological processes and can help improve water management in inland regions of Central Asia. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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