The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions
This study investigates the isotopic composition of precipitation in Iran and its moisture sources, offering insights crucial for addressing water recharge and management in semi-arid regions. This study analyzes 150 precipitation events collected from 11 stations across Iran over multiple years. Th...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| author | Hossein Mohammadzadeh Rogert Sorí Mojtaba Heydarizad |
| author_facet | Hossein Mohammadzadeh Rogert Sorí Mojtaba Heydarizad |
| author_sort | Hossein Mohammadzadeh |
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| description | This study investigates the isotopic composition of precipitation in Iran and its moisture sources, offering insights crucial for addressing water recharge and management in semi-arid regions. This study analyzes 150 precipitation events collected from 11 stations across Iran over multiple years. The HYSPLIT model was used to trace air mass trajectories contributing to these events. The isotopic composition of precipitation from each moisture source was examined to identify their distinct characteristics. Furthermore, the contribution of each air mass to groundwater and surface water recharge was quantified using the Simmr mixing model in R programming language, combining stable isotope data from precipitation and surface/groundwater samples. Precipitation in northern Iran is associated with low d-excess values, indicating moisture from high-latitude sources, particularly the Caspian Sea, while higher d-excess values in the west and south point to moisture mainly from the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Air mass trajectory analysis via the HYSPLIT model identified the dominant pathways of Continental Tropical (CT), Continental Polar (CP), and Mediterranean (MedT) air masses across Iran. Quantitative analysis using the Simmr mixing model revealed that the CT air mass contributes up to 33.6% to groundwater recharge in southern Iran’s karstic regions, while the CP air mass dominates in the north, with up to 46.8% contribution. The MedT air mass, although significant in the west, decreases in influence towards the east. Isotope data from groundwater and surface water sites showed more depleted values than local precipitation, likely due to larger catchment areas. These findings contribute to water management strategies by identifying the variations in moisture sources that influence groundwater and surface water recharge in Iran. Understanding these variations enables the development of targeted strategies for managing water resources in semi-arid regions facing increasing water scarcity. The methodologies applied in this study can be adapted to other regions, providing a valuable framework for sustainable water management in areas where identifying moisture sources is critical. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-acfe7e9e85bd42c595489ab54e9e317c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-acfe7e9e85bd42c595489ab54e9e317c2024-11-26T17:50:09ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-10-011511127410.3390/atmos15111274The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid RegionsHossein Mohammadzadeh0Rogert Sorí1Mojtaba Heydarizad2Groundwater and Geothermal Research Center (GRC), Water and Environment Research Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad P.O. Box 917794-8974, IranCentro de Investigación Mariña, Environmental Physics Laboratory (EPhysLab), Universidade de Vigo, Campus As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, SpainState Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaThis study investigates the isotopic composition of precipitation in Iran and its moisture sources, offering insights crucial for addressing water recharge and management in semi-arid regions. This study analyzes 150 precipitation events collected from 11 stations across Iran over multiple years. The HYSPLIT model was used to trace air mass trajectories contributing to these events. The isotopic composition of precipitation from each moisture source was examined to identify their distinct characteristics. Furthermore, the contribution of each air mass to groundwater and surface water recharge was quantified using the Simmr mixing model in R programming language, combining stable isotope data from precipitation and surface/groundwater samples. Precipitation in northern Iran is associated with low d-excess values, indicating moisture from high-latitude sources, particularly the Caspian Sea, while higher d-excess values in the west and south point to moisture mainly from the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Air mass trajectory analysis via the HYSPLIT model identified the dominant pathways of Continental Tropical (CT), Continental Polar (CP), and Mediterranean (MedT) air masses across Iran. Quantitative analysis using the Simmr mixing model revealed that the CT air mass contributes up to 33.6% to groundwater recharge in southern Iran’s karstic regions, while the CP air mass dominates in the north, with up to 46.8% contribution. The MedT air mass, although significant in the west, decreases in influence towards the east. Isotope data from groundwater and surface water sites showed more depleted values than local precipitation, likely due to larger catchment areas. These findings contribute to water management strategies by identifying the variations in moisture sources that influence groundwater and surface water recharge in Iran. Understanding these variations enables the development of targeted strategies for managing water resources in semi-arid regions facing increasing water scarcity. The methodologies applied in this study can be adapted to other regions, providing a valuable framework for sustainable water management in areas where identifying moisture sources is critical.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1274HYSPLIT modelprecipitationmoisturestable isotopeswater supply |
| spellingShingle | Hossein Mohammadzadeh Rogert Sorí Mojtaba Heydarizad The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions Atmosphere HYSPLIT model precipitation moisture stable isotopes water supply |
| title | The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions |
| title_full | The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions |
| title_fullStr | The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions |
| title_short | The Contribution of Moisture Sources of Precipitation to Water Resources Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions |
| title_sort | contribution of moisture sources of precipitation to water resources recharge in semi arid regions |
| topic | HYSPLIT model precipitation moisture stable isotopes water supply |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1274 |
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