Seasonal Differences in the Hydrochemical Characteristics of Karst Wetlands and the Associated Mechanisms in Huixian, China

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the seasonal changes in the hydrochemical characteristics of the Huixian karst wetland and the underlying mechanism. Conventional ions and isotopes of 130 groundwater samples collected during the wet and dry seasons were analyzed. The hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Huixian karst wetland were clarified using mathematical statistics and hydrochemical methods, including Durov diagrams, ionic ratios, Gibbs diagrams, and H and O isotopes. The hydrochemical evolution and sources of major ions in the Huixian karst wetland were also investigated. The results showed that cations and anions in groundwater in the study area were dominated by Ca2+ and HCO3−, respectively, sourced mainly from calcite weathering. The ions of some groundwater samples were regulated by weathering of dolomite, dolomitic limestone, and pyrite, resulting in relatively high concentrations of Mg2+ and SO42−. K+, Na+, SO42−, NO3−, and Cl− in groundwater originated from precipitation, Na+ and Cl− originated from domestic sewage, K+ was related to the application of potassium fertilizer in agriculture, and NO3− mainly originated from chemical fertilizer. Groundwater ions were primarily controlled by rock weathering, followed by evaporative concentration. The sources of major ions were dependent on the dissolution and precipitation of carbonate rock, as well as the chemical weathering of silicate rock and evaporite. Samples from the various water sources were scattered on both sides of the local meteoric water line (δD = 3.13δ18O − 13.9), which indicated isotopic composition was affected by evaporation and precipitation.

The Characteristics and Application of Deuterium and Oxygen Isotopes to Karst Groundwater, Southwest China

“…In karst areas, karst conduits and fissures are developed; surface water could infiltrate into the ground quickly, and the hydraulic residence time is short, so the difference in stable isotopes between the two is minor, but on the contrary, the difference is obvious. This approach has been applied in many studies because it allows the acquisition of basic information on the interconversion of surface water and groundwater [138][139][140][141][142]. However, the aforementioned studies have only conducted simple qualitative analyses of the relationship between karst groundwater and surface water based on the characteristics of deuterium and oxygen isotopes.…”