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Abstract: Groundwater recharge and evolution in the Quaternary aquifer beneath the Dunhuang Basin was investigated using chemical indicators, stable isotopes, and radiocarbon data to provide guidance for regional water management. The quality of groundwater and surface water is generally good with low salinity and it is unpolluted. The dissolution of halite and sylvite from fine-grained sediments controls concentrations of Na+ and K+ in the groundwater, but Na+/Cl− molar ratios >1 in all samples are also indicative of weathering of feldspar contributing to excess Na+. The dissolution of carbonate minerals yields Ca2+ to the groundwater, thereby exerting a strong influence on groundwater salinity. The δ18O and δ2H values in unconfined groundwater are enriched along the groundwater flow path from SW to NE. In contrast, confined groundwater was depleted in heavy isotopes, with mean values of −10.4‰ δ18O and −74.4‰ δ2H. Compared with the precipitation values, all of the groundwater samples were strongly depleted in heavy isotopes, indicating that modern direct recharge to the groundwater aquifers in the plains area is quite limited. The unconfined water is generally young with radiocarbon values of 64.9–79.6 pmc. In the northern basin, radiocarbon content in the confined groundwater is less than 15 pmc and an uncorrected age of ∼15ka, indicates that this groundwater was recharged during a humid climatic phases of the late Pleistocence or early Holocene. The results have important implications for inter-basin water allocation programmes and groundwater management in the Dunhuang Basin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The groundwater recharge environments and hydrogeochemical characteristics in the Quaternary aquifer of Jiuquan Basin was investigated using a combination of chemical indicators, stable isotopes, and radiocarbon dating. The d-excess values of winter precipitation and surface water revealed that the meltwater from snow and ice played the dominant role in the basin’s surface water supply. The unconfined groundwater showed gradual enrichment of heavy isotopes along the flow path, but δ 18O and δ 2H values were similar to those of surface water, suggesting recent recharge as a result of rapid seepage along rivers combined with the effects of high evaporation. The 14C (pmc) values of unconfined groundwater was between 71.5% and 90.9%, and since 80% modern carbon probably represents the upper limit of initial 14C activity, this suggests that the groundwater is relatively young. The confined groundwater was depleted in heavy isotopes; coupled with low 14C values (∼20–53%), indicating that the groundwater was mainly recharged as palaeowater during the late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs under a cold climate. The surface water and most groundwater samples were fresh rather than saline, with TDS <490 and <1000mgL−1, respectively. The chemistry of unconfined groundwater changed from -dominated to no dominant ions and then to -dominated moving along the flow path from the Jiuquan-Jiayuguan Basin to the Jinta Basin, and the confined water was -dominated. The results have important implications for groundwater management in the Basin, where a high proportion of the water being used is in effect being mined (i.e., extracted faster than its replacement rate); thus, significant changes are urgently needed in the regional water-use strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multiple isotopic and hydrogeochemical tracers were utilized to understand the recharge sources and geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Quaternary aquifer beneath Jinchang city and the adjacent Gobi desert area. The groundwater shows markedly depleted stable isotopic composition compared to modern rainfall. The signature of groundwaters from Jinchang and the northern Gobi desert area differ clearly from that of the alluvial fan in the south Yongchang basin and modern rainfall, and has lower or non-detectable 3H activity, implying that the aquifer is likely maintained by palaeowater. This groundwater in the Gobi desert has a 14C age older than 12ka, indicating that the groundwater resources are non-renewable. The build-up of dissolved solids through evaporation is a major control on groundwater composition, and the dominant anion species change systematically from , to Cl−, but cations from weathering of albite, calcite, dolomite and gypsum also make a significant contribution. The scientific results have important implications for groundwater management in Jinchang city and as well as in the Shiyang River basin under China’s West Development Strategy. It is recommended that the water allocation program of diverting water from the Dongda river to the Minqin basin be reconsidered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on surveys and chemical analyses, we performed a case study of the surface water and groundwater quality in the Wuwei basin, in order to understand the sources of water pollution and the evolution of water quality in Shiyang river. Concentrations of major chemical elements in the surface water were related to the distance downstream from the source of the river, with surface water in the upstream reaches of good quality, but the river from Wuwei city to the Hongya reservoir was seriously polluted, with a synthetic pollution index of 25. Groundwater quality was generally good in the piedmont with dominant bicarbonate and calcium ions, but salinity was high and nitrate pollution occurs in the northern part of the basin. Mineralization of the groundwater has changed rapidly during the past 20 years. There are 23 wastewater outlets that discharge a total of 22.4×106 m3 y−1 into the river from Wuwei city, which, combined with a reduction of inflow water, were found to be the major causes of water pollution. Development of fisheries in the Hongya reservoir since 2000 has also contributed to the pollution. The consumption of water must be decreased until it reaches the sustainable level permitted by the available resources in the whole basin, and discharge of wastes must also be drastically reduced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]