Abstract
The surfaces of saline lakes are shrinking at a threatening rate worldwide. Likewise, the Uchhali complex (formed by three saltwater lakes located in the Salt Range, Pakistan) that serves as a major regional source of water for humans and as a habitat for water birds must be monitored. With this objective in mind, we conducted a study coupling hydrochemistry and stable isotope compositions (δ37Cl, δ18O and δD) in order to characterize its hydrochemical properties and the main processes controlling them. Results showed that the Uchhali complex salinity has dramatically increased compared to other similar lakes in the world. While the Uchhali (UL) and Khabbeki (KL) lakes present a sodium-chloride hydrofacies, the Jahlar (JL) is of a sodium-bicarbonate type. Hydrochemistry parameters indicate that the weathering of surrounding rocks is the major vector for the increase of total dissolved solids in the water. On the other hand, the observed enrichment in heavy isotopes of the water stable isotope compositions implies that the different lakes are undergoing a long history of intense evaporation. The study of the corresponding δ37Cl isotope compositions supports the conclusion that evaporation, along with weathering, are the main driving processes. Besides climate effects that result in the decrease of annual precipitation and the increase of evaporation, water consumption for domestic purposes (household and agriculture) aggravates the rise of the lakes’ salinity.
Highlights
Water is the key governing element for economic and eco-environmental developments in arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1]
Our study indicates that the saline lakes of the Salt Range (Pakistan) are highly impacted by climate change
The Khabbeki and Jahlar lakes (Ramser site) present significantly higher TDS, indicating that they are the most affected by climate change
Summary
Water is the key governing element for economic and eco-environmental developments in arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1]. Water resources, such as groundwaters (GW), lakes, wetlands and saline lakes, play a dominant role in the development and ecology of a given region [1]. Water 2019, 11, 912 population and development, the demand for water resources is increasing day by day and causes their overutilization. Where groundwater and wetlands (saline lakes) are the major water resources for daily consumption, explaining their large utilization to meet the regional growing demand. In arid and semi-arid regions, this increase in salinity restricts the availability of drinkable and fresh water. The need to evaluate water salinity and its evolution over time under natural conditions arises in order to better use and preserve major water resources that are under anthropogenic pressure
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