The Badain Jaran desert in western Inner Mongolia in China has a unique landscape that contains 72 lakes, with a total water surface area of 23 km2, and the world's highest stationary sand dunes, which are up to 500 m tall--despite the prevailing dry and windy weather conditions. Here we present evidence of a major groundwater system that underpins the factors leading to this landscape. Our finding could transform plans for the region's water resources.

No abstract

In order to detect the concentrated leakage passages(CLP) more effectively and precisely, the temperature field emulation method of irregularity dam including seepage and leakage is established based on numerical optimization of concentrated leakage passage detection with kinds of boundary conditions. In this model, the effect of lapse rate, radiation from sun and wind speed on temperature field is included. The flow states of underground water determined, the heat transfer characteristics presented and the coupled relation between seepage and temperature distribution constructed, the coupled equations between seepage and heat transfer are set up.

By the field investigation on BaYinTaohai of WuHai，this article found that ,although this town locates in the northwest arid areas with little rain and big evaporation, the groundwater is abundant. Many artesian wells and springs are founded in this place. Through the analysis of the isotope characteristics of the groundwater in the study area, It is concluded that the shallow groundwater of south Wuhai recharge from local precipitation，while deep confined water recharge from allogenic water with isotope dilution.