Deep soil water infiltration and its dynamic variation in the shifting sandy land of typical deserts in China

Yang, Wenjin; Tang, Jinnian; Liang, Hairong; Dang, Hongzhong; Li, Wei

doi:10.1007/s11430-014-4882-8

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Berndtsson et al () studied water circulation in migratory dunes and found that the water at 1.5‐ to 2.0‐m depth could be recharged by individual 15‐ to 22‐mm precipitation events through infiltration. Yang et al () suggested that deep soil water, through infiltration, can be effectively replenished when the precipitation exceeds a minimum critical rainfall threshold. In arid deserts, single‐precipitation events of about 15 mm are thus critical for the effective recharge of dune water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Jing-bo

Luo

et al. 2017

Hydrological Processes

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The hydrology and water balance of megadunes and lakes have been investigated in the Badain Jaran Desert of China. Field observations and analyses of sand layer water content, field capacity, secondary salt content, and grain size reveal 3 types of important natural phenomenon: (a) vegetation bands on the leeward slope of the megadunes reflect the hydrological regime within the sandy vadose zone; (b) seepage, wet sand deposits, and secondary salt deposits indicate the pattern of water movement within the sandy vadose zone; (c) zones of groundwater seeps and descending springs around the lakes reflect the influence of the local topography on the hydrological regime of the megadunes. The seepage exposed on the sloping surface of the megadunes and gravity water contained within the sand layer confirm the occurrence of preferential flow within the vadose zone of the megadunes. Alternating layers of coarse and fine sand create the conditions for the formation of preferential flows. The preferential flows promote movement of water within the sand layer water that leads to deep penetration of water within the megadunes and ultimately to the recharging of groundwater and lake water. Our results indicate that a positive water balance promotes recharge of the megadunes, which depends on the high permeability of the megadune material, the shallow depth of the surface sand layer affected by evaporation, the occurrence of rainfall events exceeding 15 mm, and the sparse vegetation cover. Water balance estimates indicate that the annual water storage of the megadunes is about 7.5 mm, accounting for only 8% of annual precipitation; however, the shallow groundwater per unit area under the megadunes receives only 3.6% of annual precipitation, but it is still able to maintain a dynamic balance of the lake water. From a water budget perspective, the annual water storage in the megadunes is sufficient to serve as a recharge source for lake water, thereby enabling the long-term persistence of the lakes. Overall, our findings demonstrate that precipitation is a significant component of the hydrological cycle in arid deserts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Jing-bo

Luo

et al. 2017

Hydrological Processes

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“…Figure 6 shows that the δD and δ 18 O values of some soil water samples were distributed close to the LMWL, indicating that precipitation could recharge soil water on occasions. However, the depth of precipitation infiltration was limited, and the maximum depth cannot exceed 50 cm (Yang et al, 2014). Therefore, precipitation can be a water source only for the shallow soil layer.…”

Section: Variations In Isotopic Compositions Of Precipitation and Soimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…T. laxa is assumed to be a typical groundwater-dependent plant species, with a well-developed root system relying on groundwater to survive (Gries et al, 2003;Yu et al, 2017). However, the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert where T. laxa distributed have a relative height of 101-244 m, making access to groundwater difficult (Yang et al, 2014). Thus, it is interesting to explore the sources of water used by T. laxa in this region, and to understand water use patterns of T. laxa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable isotope analysis of water sources for Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

et al. 2018

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The complex interactions in desert ecosystems between functional types and environmental conditions could be reflected by plant water use patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the water use patterns as well as the water sources of Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China, remain unclear. This study investigated the water sources and water use patterns of T. laxa using the stable oxygen isotope method. The δ 18 O values of xylem water, soil water in different layers (0-200 cm), rainwater, snow water, lake water, atmospheric water vapor, condensate water, and groundwater were measured. The sources of water used by T. laxa were determined using the IsoSource model. The results indicate that T. laxa mainly relies on soil water. At the beginning of the growing season (in May), the species is primarily dependent on water from the middle soil layer (60-120 cm) and deep soil layer (120-200 cm). However, it mainly absorbs water from the shallow soil layer (0-60 cm) as the rainy season commences. In September, water use of T. laxa reverts to the deep soil layer (120-200 cm). The water use patterns of T. laxa are closely linked with heavy precipitation events and soil water content. These findings reveal the drought resistance mechanisms of T. laxa and are of significance for screening species for ecological restoration.

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“…Rain amount not only affects the depth and time of water infiltration into soil (Yang et al, 2014) but also affects the contribution of rainwater to plant growth (Duan et al, 2008). The interspecific difference of rain amount that plants use is related to their life forms (Dodd et al, 1998;Antunes et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rainwater Use Process of Caragana intermedia in Semi-Arid Zone, Tibetan Plateau

Zhu

Wang

2020

Front. Earth Sci.

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Summer rain is changeable in the semi-arid climate and is the limiting factor to the survival and growth of sand-fixing vegetation, especially in the Tibetan Plateau. Caragana intermedia is the dominant sand-binding shrub on a sand dune in the northeast Tibetan Plateau. Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of xylem water, soil water, and groundwater were examined to study the rainwater uptake process by C. intermedia in midsummer. Soil water content was monitored continuously before and after a 13.9-mm rain. Contribution of each water source was analyzed by the MixSIAR model. The results showed that the surface soil water (0−10 cm) was replenished by rainwater through increasing soil water content and reducing its stable isotope. Caragana intermedia mainly used surface soil water (0−10 cm) replenished by rainwater one day after the rain, accounting for about 60% of its total water source. As water availability decreased in upper soil layers, it used soil water at deeper levels (10−150 cm), the same water source as that one day before the rain. The rapid and efficient uptake of rainwater by C. intermedia reflected its response to summer rain, which is an adaptive strategy to the semi-arid environment. Therefore, C. intermedia could survive on a sand dune by shallow soil water replenished from rainwater in the Tibetan Plateau.

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Deep soil water infiltration and its dynamic variation in the shifting sandy land of typical deserts in China

Cited by 25 publications

References 4 publications

Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Stable isotope analysis of water sources for Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Rainwater Use Process of Caragana intermedia in Semi-Arid Zone, Tibetan Plateau

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