The influence of irrigation and Wuliangsuhai Lake on groundwater quality in eastern Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China

Zhu, Dongnan; Ryan, M Cathryn; Sun, Biao; Li, Changyou

The influence of irrigation and Wuliangsuhai Lake on groundwater quality in eastern Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China | Influence de l’irrigation et du lac Wuliangsuhai sur la qualité des eaux souterraines dans la partie est du bassin de Hetao, Mongolie intérieure (Chine) La influencia de la irrigación y del Lago Wuliangsuhai en la calidad del agua subterránea en el este de la cuenca Hetao, Mongolia Interior, China 灌溉水和乌梁素海湖水对中国内蒙古河套灌区东部地下水的影响演化研究 A influência da rega e do Lago Wuliangsuhai na qualidade das águas subterrâneas da parte oriental da Bacia Hetao, Mongólia Interior, China

2014

Zhu, Dongnan | Ryan, M Cathryn | Sun, Biao | Li, Changyou

Geochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater and lake-water samples were combined with water and total dissolved solids balances to evaluate sources of groundwater quality deterioration in eastern Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Groundwater quality is poor; 11 of 13 wells exceed drinking-water guidelines for at least one health-based parameter and all wells exceed aesthetic guidelines. The well water is largely derived from Yellow River irrigation water. Notably high uranium concentrations in the Yellow River, relative to world rivers, suggest groundwater uranium and other trace elements may originate in the river-derived irrigation water. Complex hydrostratigraphy and spatial variation in groundwater recharge result in spatially complex groundwater flow and geochemistry. Evapotranspiration of irrigation water causes chloride concentration increases of up to two orders of magnitude in the basin, notably in shallow groundwater around Wuliangsuhai Lake. In addition to evapotranspiration, groundwater quality is affected by mineral precipitation and dissolution, silicate weathering, and redox processes. The lake-water and TDS balances suggest that a small amount of discharge to groundwater (but associated with very high solute concentrations) contributes to groundwater salinization in this region. Increasing salinity in the groundwater and Wuliangsuhai Lake will continue to deteriorate water quality unless irrigation management practices improve.

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