Hydrogeochemical signatures, genetic mechanisms, and sustainable utilization potential of Li-B-Sr enriched groundwater in a typical arid endorheic watershed on Tibetan Plateau
Study region: Nalenggele watershed, the largest endorheic watershed in the hyper-arid Qaidam Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Study focus: Tibetan Plateau endorheic basins exhibit significant trace element enrichment in water systems, enabling salt-lake resource formation but constraining water suitability....
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825005609 |
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| Summary: | Study region: Nalenggele watershed, the largest endorheic watershed in the hyper-arid Qaidam Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Study focus: Tibetan Plateau endorheic basins exhibit significant trace element enrichment in water systems, enabling salt-lake resource formation but constraining water suitability. This research focuses on the hydrogeochemical signatures, genesis and exploitation suitability of groundwater resource in the piedmont plain of Li-B-Sr enriched endorheic watersheds. New hydrological insights for the region: Groundwater in the arid endorheic basin shows large TDS variations (469–2932 mg/L), with elevated trace elements: Li (0.43–3.05 mg/L), B (1.11–7.24 mg/L), and Sr (0.06–5.09 mg/L). Natural evapotranspiration (46 %), water-rock interaction (28 %), and geothermal-sourced solute inputs from upstream (26 %) govern the groundwater hydrogeochemical features primarily. Upstream geothermal inputs establish high Li-B-Sr baseline, while evaporation and water-rock reactions in alluvial plains further concentrate these trace elements, increasing groundwater hardness and salinity. Consequently, only 15 % of groundwater sampled in alluvial fan meets drinking standards. Evaporation (33 %) and geothermal activity (51 %) are the main causes of the high non-carcinogenic health risks from trace elements in alluvial plain groundwater. A conceptual model was established to elucidate controls on the genesis and utilization potential of Li-B-Sr-enriched groundwater in arid endorheic basins on Tibetan Plateau, especially evaporation’s effect on groundwater sustainable utilization potential under varying hydrodynamic conditions. This provides scientific insights for coordinating resource development and groundwater environmental quality protection in similar basins globally. |
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| ISSN: | 2214-5818 |