H-O Isotope Signatures of Three Water Bodies in the Lhasa-Nyang River Basin, Tibetan Plateau: Source Discrimination and Hydrologic Connectivity

doi:10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2024.127

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate isotopic variability and hydrological processes in the Lhasa-Nyang River Basin, 278 water samples (including precipitation, surface water, and groundwater) were collected between April and November 2021.Stable isotopes of hydrogen (δ²H) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) were analyzed using laboratory experiments and statistical methods.Key findings include: (1) Precipitation isotopes in the basin reflect a shared atmospheric circulation background dominated by summer monsoon moisture.The Nyang River sub-basin exhibits narrower isotopic variability and greater enrichment in heavy isotopes compared to the Lhasa River sub-basin.Temperature and precipitation amount exert significant positive correlations (P<0.05) with precipitation δ¹⁸O, whereas relative humidity and elevation show negative correlations.(2) Surface water and groundwater δ¹⁸O values exhibit progressive depletion with increasing elevation, demonstrating distinct altitudinal gradients of -0.27‰ per 100 m (‰/hm) and -0.29‰/hm, respectively.(3) Both surface water and groundwater are predominantly recharged by atmospheric precipitation, as evidenced by overlapping isotopic ranges and bidirectional isotopic exchanges indicative of hydraulic connectivity.This study provides critical baseline isotopic data for clarifying basin-scale hydrological cycling, including moisture sources, recharge mechanisms, and surface-groundwater interactions.The findings advance understanding of water resource sustainability and ecohydrological resilience in the Yarlung Zangbo River system, with implications for managing freshwater availability and mitigating climate-driven hydrological risks on the Tibetan Plateau.

Key words: Lhasa River and Nyang River Basin, hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope, altitude effect

CLC Number:

P426.6
P641

ZHANG Xunxun, WEN Lang, YANG Bin, ZHAO Yanggang, XING Liyuan, DUAN Yanghai, PU Chun. H-O Isotope Signatures of Three Water Bodies in the Lhasa-Nyang River Basin, Tibetan Plateau: Source Discrimination and Hydrologic Connectivity[J]. Geoscience, 2025, 39(02): 410-419.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 Geographic location of the study area and distribution of sampling sites

Fig.2 Correlation of atmospheric precipitation δD and δ18O, and isotopic variation of precipitation in the study area during the monsoon period

Fig.3 Correlation of surface water δD and δ18O, and isotopic variation of precipitation in the study area during the monsoon period

Fig.4 Spatial distribution δ18O (‰) of surface water in Lhasa River and Nyang River Basin

Fig.5 Correlation of groundwater δD and δ18O, and comparison of isotopic content of groundwater in different basins

Table 1 Pearson correlation analysis of atmospheric precipitation isotope influencing factors

影响因素	拉萨河			尼洋河
影响因素	皮尔逊相关系数(r)	显著性 (P)	样品数 (n)	皮尔逊相关系数(r)	显著性 (P)	样品数 (n)
气温	0.331	0.018^*	51	0.090	0.552	45
降水量	0.294	0.037^*	51	0.051	0.738	45
相对湿度	-0.403	0.003^*	51	-0.229	0.130	45

Fig.6 Relationships between atmospheric precipitation, surface water, and groundwater δ18O and altitude

Fig.7 Isotopic correlation fitting of precipitation, surface water, and groundwater in the Lhasa River and Nyang River Basin

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