Abstract
The hydrochemistry and isotope characteristics of groundwater of different geomorphological types in the Kashgar Delta in Xinjiang, China were studied using isotopic analyses. Results showed that groundwater in the study area was mainly recharged by precipitation, and that groundwater ions were mainly affected by weathering-leaching of rock salt and evaporite as well as cation exchange and adsorption. The hydrochemical type of phreatic water in the alluvial-proluvial gravel plain on the piedmont slope was mainly SO4·Cl-Na·Ca type, with an average age of 28a. The phreatic water in the fluvial plain had shallow buried depth and intense evaporation. The hydrochemical type of phreatic water varied from SO4·Cl-Na·Mg type to Cl-Na type, with an average age of 99a. Along the groundwater flow path eastward, confined water in the fluvial plain experienced gradually more intense cation exchange and stronger adsorption. The major hydrochemical type of which was the SO4·Cl-Na type, with an average age of 30405a.
Highlights
The Kashgar Delta area in Xinjiang, China is located in the Eurasia hinterland and the southwest of Xinjiang
The study area is surrounded by mountains in the south, north and west
Cation exchange and adsorption may cause Na+ desorption. γ(Ca2+)/γ(SO42-) ratio was generally less than 1(Fig. 2b), which indicated that groundwater Ca2+ and SO42concentrations were mainly affected by evaporite weathering and leaching, as well as exchange and adsorption of Na+ and Ca2+ ions
Summary
The Kashgar Delta area in Xinjiang, China is located in the Eurasia hinterland and the southwest of Xinjiang. The study area is surrounded by mountains in the south, north and west. There is a semi-closed delta basin in the center. The area belongs to the "qualityinduced water shortage" area with special and fragile water and ecological environment. As an effective method in hydroscience research, hydrochemistry and isotopes were widely used in the studies investigating groundwater origin [1], age [2], circulation [3] and pollution [4]. Hydrochemistry and isotope characteristics of groundwater in the Kashgar Delta region were analyzed through hydrochemistry and isotopes, which provide scientific evidence for rational exploitation and utilization of the water resources in this area
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