Bangong Lake is a narrow and long lake in the arid region of the plateau in northern Tibet. The salinity of the east of the lake is different from that the west, resulting in differences in the natural environment and human living conditions on each side. Watershed hydrochemical analysis and spatial statistical analysis can help to understand regional hydrochemical evolution and water quality evaluation. In this study, the hydrochemical characteristics of surface water (glacier, river, and lake) and groundwater in the Bangong Co Lake Watershed were investigated to reveal the relationships between various water bodies. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) and USSL classification were applied to assess groundwater quality suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes. The hydrochemical characteristics show the differences among water bodies and their spatial distribution. The analyzed groundwater and surface water samples, such as river water and glaciers, were mainly Ca-HCO3-type and the lake water was mainly categorized as Na-Cl-type with some Na-HCO3-Cl type. The lake water’s chemical components are mainly affected by evaporative karst decomposition. The main mineralization process of groundwater and river water was related to the dissolution of reservoir minerals, such as dolomite and calcite, as well as halite. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) indicates that 79% of the groundwater samples in the study area were of good enough quality for drinking. In terms of irrigation water quality, the electrical conductivity (EC), calculated sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and magnesium hazardous ratio (MHR) showed that more than 13% of the total samples were not suitable for irrigation. However, the USSL classification indicated that glacier and river water are relatively suitable for irrigation. Additionally, some groundwater and lake water has very high alkalinity or salinity, which is alarming when considering them for irrigation.
In order to explore the hydrochemical characteristics, influencing factors, and water quality of various water bodies in Bangong Co Lake Watershed, 60 water samples were collected from lake, river, groundwater, glacier water bodies in the watershed. Piper diagram, Gibbs’ diagrams, ion ratio analysis, statistical methods, and principal component analysis were used to study the hydrochemical characteristics and its influencing factors. Drinking water quality index (DWQI) and USSL classification were applied to assess the groundwater quality suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes. The hydrochemical characteristics show the differences among water bodies and their spatial distribution. Analyzed groundwater and surface water samples such as river water and glaciers mainly presented Ca-HCO3 type, and lake water mainly presented Na-Cl type and a small number of Na-HCO3·Cl type. The lake water chemical components are mainly affected by evaporative karst decomposition. The main mineralization process of groundwater and river water was related to the dissolution of reservoir minerals such as dolomite and calcite, and halite. The DWQI indicates that 79% of the groundwater samples in the study area showed a good quality for drinking. For irrigation water quality, the electrical conductivity (EC), calculated Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Magnesium hazardous ratio (MHR) showed that more than 13% of the total samples were not suitable for irrigation. USSL classification indicated that glacier and river water are relatively suitable for irrigation. And part of the groundwater and lake water has very high alkalinity or salinity which is alarming when considered for irrigation.
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