Analysis of the differences in water chemistry characteristics and spatial-temporal variation patterns in typical areas in northern and southern Xinjiang – a case study in Fukang City and Cele County

Abstract

Water chemistry characterization of natural water bodies is important for the study of rational water resources utilization in arid zones. In this paper, the hydrochemical characteristics of natural water bodies in the south (Cele) and north (Fukang) parts of Xinjiang, China, during 2006-2016 were analysed. It was found that the ion content of surface water in Cele in South Xinjiang was higher than that in Fukang in North Xinjiang, while the opposite was true for groundwater ion content; there was a good correlation between TDS and each ion content, and the mineralisation of natural water bodies was controlled by Na+ and SO42-; the water chemistry types in Cele were Na+-Cl- and mixed, and those in Fukang were Ca2+-HCO3-, Na+-Cl- and mixed; the water bodies are mainly influenced by the control of rock weathering, with the groundwater in Fukang being controlled by evaporative crystallisation; the water bodies in Cele are mostly suitable for irrigation water, and the surface water in Fukang is more suitable for irrigation water compared to groundwater.