ALBERT

Description: A hydrochemical and isotopic study was conducted in Subei Lake Basin, northwestern China, to identify the origin and geochemical evolution of groundwater. Water samples were collected, major ions and stable isotopes (δ18O, δ D) were analyzed. In terms of hydrogeological conditions in study area, groundwater can be classified into three types: the Quaternary groundwater, the shallow Cretaceous groundwater, the deep Cretaceous groundwater. Piper diagram and correlation analysis were used to reveal the hydrochemical characteristics of water resources. The dominant water type of lake water was Na-Cl type, which was controlled by strong evaporation and recharge from overland flow and groundwater; the predominant hydrochemical types for groundwater were Ca-HCO3, Na-HCO3, and mixed Ca · Na · Mg-HCO3 types, the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by dissolution/precipitation of anhydrite, gypsum, halite and calcite. The dedolomitization and cation exchange are also important factors. Rock weathering is confirmed to play a leading role in the mechanisms responsible for the chemical compositions of groundwater. The stable isotopic values of oxygen and hydrogen in groundwater are close to the local meteoric water line, showing that groundwater is of meteoric origin. The deep Cretaceous groundwater is depleted in heavy isotopes, compared to shallow Cretaceous groundwater. The hydrogen and oxygen isotopes signatures in deep Cretaceous groundwater may show a paleorecharge effect that the deep Cretaceous groundwater was recharged during a geologic period when the climate was wetter and colder than today. Due to strong evaporation effect and dry climatic conditions, heavy isotopes are more enriched in lake water than groundwater. The hydrochemical and isotopic information of utmost importance has been provided to decision-makers by the present study so that a sustainable water resources management policy could be designed for the Ordos energy base.