Abstract
The precipitation recharge coefficient (PRC) is an important parameter for regional water resource evaluations and groundwater numerical simulations. This parameter has evident seasonal variations due to seasonal differences of climatic and vegetation, especially in cold arid regions. While the annual mean value and spatial variability of PRC are reported commonly, fewer studies have focused on seasonal variations of PRC. Understanding seasonal variations of PRC is important for accurately assessing groundwater resources and interpreting the effect of vegetation and climate change on groundwater recharge. This study identifies and quantifies seasonal variations of PRC based on water-table fluctuation and hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes (using an end-number mixing model) in the Ordos Plateau of Northwest China. The results show that PRCs in the cold season (October–March) are more than twice as high as in the warm season (April–September). The freeze-and-thaw processes of seasonally frozen soil lead to a lag in groundwater recharge processes as a response to precipitation infiltration, which should be considered when using PRC to evaluate groundwater recharge. The deep water mixing and the effect of the amount of precipitation on isotopic composition should be taken into consideration when the isotopic method is used to estimate PRC.
Résumé
Le coefficient de recharge des précipitations (CRP) est. un paramètre important pour l’évaluation des ressources en eau régionales et les simulations numériques des aquifères. Ce paramètre présente des variations saisonnières flagrantes liées aux différences saisonnières du climat et de la végétation, en particulier dans les régions arides et froides. Alors que la valeur moyenne annuelle et la variabilité spatiale du CRP sont couramment signalées, peu d’études ont porté sur les variations saisonnières du CRP. La compréhension des variations saisonnières du CRP est. importante pour évaluer précisément les ressources en eau souterraine et pour interpréter l’effet du changement climatique et de la végétation sur la recharge des eaux souterraines. Cette étude détermine et quantifie les variations saisonnières du CRP sur la base des fluctuations piézométriques et des isotopes stables de l’hydrogène et de l’oxygène (utilisant un modèle de mélange) au droit du plateau d’Ordos, au nord-ouest de la Chine. Les résultats montrent que les CRP en saison froide (octobre à mars) sont plus de deux fois supérieurs à la période chaude (avril à septembre). Les processus de gel et de dégel, des sols gelés saisonnièrement, conduisent à un décalage dans les processus de recharge des eaux souterraines liés à l’infiltration des précipitations, lequel devrait être pris en compte en cas d’utilisation du CRP pour évaluer la recharge des nappes d’eau souterraine. Le mélange d’eau profonde et l’effet de la part des précipitations sur la composition isotopique devraient être pris en compte lorsque la méthode isotopique est. utilisée pour estimer le CRP.
Resumen
El coeficiente de recarga a partir de la precipitación (PRC) es un parámetro importante para las evaluaciones de los recursos hídricos regionales y simulaciones numéricas del agua subterránea. Este parámetro tiene variaciones estacionales evidentes debido a las diferencias estacionales en el clima y la vegetación, especialmente en regiones áridas frías. Si bien el valor medio anual y la variabilidad espacial de la PRC se informan con frecuencia, menos estudios se han centrado en las variaciones estacionales de la PRC. Es importante comprender las variaciones estacionales de la PRC para evaluar con precisión los recursos de agua subterránea e interpretar el efecto de la vegetación y el cambio climático en la recarga. Este estudio identifica y cuantifica las variaciones estacionales de la PRC en función de la fluctuación del nivel freático y de los isótopos estables de hidrógeno y oxígeno (utilizando un modelo de mezcla de números finales) en el Ordos Plateau en el noroeste de China. Los resultados muestran que las PRC en la estación fría (octubre–marzo) son más del doble que en la temporada cálida (abril–septiembre). Los procesos estacionales de congelamiento y descongelamiento de suelos congelados conducen a un retardo en los procesos de recarga del agua subterránea como respuesta a la infiltración de la precipitación, que se debe considerar cuando se usa la PRC para evaluar la recarga de agua subterránea. La mezcla en aguas profundas y el efecto de la cantidad de precipitación en la composición isotópica se deben tener en cuenta cuando se utiliza el método isotópico para estimar la PRC.
摘要
降水补给系数是区域水源评价和地下水数值模拟中的重要参数。由于气候和植被条件存在季节性差别,尤其是在寒冷干旱地区,这个参数具有明显的季节性变化。虽然降水补给系数的年**均值和空间变化方面的报道很多,但很少有研究注重降水补给系数的季节性变化。对于精确评价地下水资源及解译植被和气候变化对地下水补给的影响,了解降水补给系数季节性变化显得尤为重要。本研究根据**西北地区鄂尔多斯高原水位波动和氢氧稳定同位素 (采用端元混合模型)识别和量化了降水补给系数的季节性变化。结果显示,寒冷季节(10月至3月)的降水补给系数是温暖季节(4月至9月)降水补给系数的两倍多。季节性冻土的冻-融过程使得降水入渗引起的地下水补给过程滞后,在利用降水补给系数评估地下水补给时,这个滞后因素应当加以考虑。采用同位素评估降水补给系数时,应当考虑深层水的混合和降水量对同位素组分的影响。
Resumo
O coeficiente de recarga da precipitação (CRP) é um importante parâmetro para a avaliação regional dos recursos hídricos e simulações numéricas de águas subterrâneas. Esse parâmetro tem variações sazonais evidentes devido a diferenças sazonais de clima e vegetação, especialmente em regiões áridas e frias. Enquanto o valor anual médio e a variabilidade espacial do CRP são relatados comumente, poucos estudos focaram nas variações sazonais do CRP. Compreender as variações sazonais do CRP é importante para avaliar com precisão os recursos hídricos subterrâneos e interpretar o efeito da vegetação e da mudança climática na recarga das águas subterrâneas. Esse estudo identifica e quantifica as variações sazonais do CRP com base na flutuação do lençol freático e isótopos estáveis de hidrogênio e oxigênio (usando um modelo de mistura de números finais) no Planalto Ordos do Noroeste da China. Os resultados demonstraram que os CRP na estação fria (outubro–março) são mais que duas vezes maiores que na estação quente (abril–setembro). O processo de congelamento e descongelamento de solos sazonalmente congelados levam a um atraso no processo de recarga das águas subterrâneas como resposta a infiltração de precipitação, que deve ser considerado quando se utiliza o CRP para avaliar a recarga de águas subterrâneas. A mistura em águas profundas e o efeito da quantidade de precipitação na composição isotópica deve ser levado em consideração quando o método isotópico é usado para estimar a CRP.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive suggestions.
Funding
This study is supported by Hydrogeological Investigation at 1:50,000 scale in the lake-concentrated areas of the Northern Ordos Basin (No. DD20160293), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41402226), and partially supported by funds from Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Chang’an University (No. 310829171110).
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Zhang, J., Wang, W., Wang, X. et al. Seasonal variation in the precipitation recharge coefficient for the Ordos Plateau, Northwest China. Hydrogeol J 27, 801–813 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1891-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1891-2