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Spatial Variation and Controlling Factors of H and O Isotopes in Lancang River Water, Southwest China

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  • Kunhua Yang

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Guilin Han

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jie Zeng

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Bin Liang

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Rui Qu

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jinke Liu

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Man Liu

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Climate changes and other human activities have substantially altered the hydrological cycle with respect to elevation. In this study, longitudinal patterns in the stable isotopic composition (δ 2 H and δ 18 O) of Lancang River water, originating from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, are presented, and several controlling factors in the wet season are hypothesized. Lancang River water δ 2 H (−145.2‰ to −60.7‰) and δ 18 O (−18.51‰ to −8.49‰) were low but close to those of the Global Meteoric Water Line. In the upper reaches of the river, δ 2 H decreased longitudinally, potentially due to groundwater inputs and melting ground ice in the headwater zone and to an increasing proportion of glacier meltwater with decreasing elevation. In the middle reaches of the river, δ 2 H values increased slowly moving downstream, likely due to shifts in precipitation inputs, as evidenced by the isotopic composition of tributaries to the main stream. In the lower reaches of the river, the isotopic composition was relatively invariant, potentially related to the presence of large artificial reservoirs that increase the water resident time. The results reveal different hydrological patterns along an alpine river in central Asia associated with both natural and anthropogenic processes. Understanding the degree and type of human interference with the water cycle in this region could improve water management and water security.

Suggested Citation

  • Kunhua Yang & Guilin Han & Jie Zeng & Bin Liang & Rui Qu & Jinke Liu & Man Liu, 2019. "Spatial Variation and Controlling Factors of H and O Isotopes in Lancang River Water, Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:4932-:d:294650
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kunhua Yang & Guilin Han & Chao Song & Peng Zhang, 2019. "Stable H-O Isotopic Composition and Water Quality Assessment of Surface Water and Groundwater: A Case Study in the Dabie Mountains, Central China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Jinke Liu & Guilin Han & Man Liu & Jie Zeng & Bin Liang & Rui Qu, 2019. "Distribution, Sources and Water Quality Evaluation of the Riverine Solutes: A Case Study in the Lancangjiang River Basin, Tibetan Plateau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Zhong, Ruida & Zhao, Tongtiegang & He, Yanhu & Chen, Xiaohong, 2019. "Hydropower change of the water tower of Asia in 21st century: A case of the Lancang River hydropower base, upper Mekong," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 685-696.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kai Song & Guangxu Yang & Fei Wang & Jian Liu & Dan Liu, 2020. "Application of Geophysical and Hydrogeochemical Methods to the Protection of Drinking Groundwater in Karst Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Bin Liang & Guilin Han & Jie Zeng & Rui Qu & Man Liu & Jinke Liu, 2020. "Spatial Variation and Source of Dissolved Heavy Metals in the Lancangjiang River, Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, January.

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