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Quantifying the influence of groundwater discharge induced by permafrost degradation on lake water budget in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: using 222Rn and stable isotopes

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Abstract

A latest thermokarst lake sampling program was carried out in the Source Area of the Yellow River in September, 2019. Isotopic signatures in water including δ18O, δ2H and 222Rn activities in thermokarst lakes and groundwater were systematically reported. Furthermore, lake water balance metrics and groundwater contributions to lakes were quantified via two isotope mass balance models. Results showed the robust but complex hydrological responses driven by progressive permafrost thaw. Further quantifying the relations between water volumes and other observed biogeochemical impacts to understand the mechanisms in geochemical feedbacks driven by permafrost degradation was needed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.51979072) and the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA2010010307).

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  1. The Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hongkong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China

    Jie Jiang

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Jiang, J. Quantifying the influence of groundwater discharge induced by permafrost degradation on lake water budget in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: using 222Rn and stable isotopes. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 323, 1125–1134 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07025-8

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