Groundwater quality and stable isotope compositions in the Yellow River basin

Abstract

Water quality and stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen (δ 18O and δD) in the Yellow River Basin were examined by fi eld observations and chemical analysis in from 2002 to 2005. Water samples for chemical analysis were collected from observation wells, pumping wells, rivers and springs. In this study, water qualities and isotope compositions of water samples collected from Yellow River Basin were analyzed to deduce provenances of water in upstream area and groundwater flow systems in the downstream area. The major results show that 1) the groundwater flow system in the upstream area is affected by monsoon and westerly winds, and that 2) groundwater of less than 2,000 m in depth is stagnant in the midstream and downstream areas.