Groundwater recharge pathway according to the environmental isotope: the case of Changwu area, Yangtze River Delta Region of China

Groundwater recharge is an important factor affecting water circulation. As groundwater has slow seepage, directly observing the seepage velocity and recharge path of groundwater in the aquifer is difficult. Environmental isotope technology has become an important means to clarify the mechanism of groundwater movement and the mechanism by which groundwater recharges from the micro and macro perspectives. The Changwu area of Jiangsu Province was taken as an example to identify the recharge sources of groundwater and the recharge paths of groundwater and surface water by using the measured data of isotopes D, 18O, 34S, and T. The results indicated that the shallow aquifer and the I confined aquifer in the Changwu area are mainly recharged by precipitation and surface lake water. The II confined aquifer along the Yangtze River is recharged by modern precipitation. Moreover, the II confined aquifer in the Henglin area was recharged by the ancient Yangtze River before 4,000 years ago, and no recharge relationship exists now. the recharge condition of the II confined aquifer around the northwest of Gehu Lake is in the climate environment of 8,000 years ago and was caused by the surface depression lake water at that time. Additionally, the concealed limestone aquifer is primarily supplied by the II confined aquifer, while the concealed sandstone aquifer supplies the II confined aquifer. Hence, to find out the recharge conditions of groundwater aquifers based on the environmental isotope is conducive to scientific and reasonable evaluation of groundwater resources and to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of groundwater resources.

Microphysical Characteristics and Environmental Isotope Effects of the Micro-Droplet Groups under the Action of Acoustic Waves

Acoustics can cause particles/droplets to agglomerate in the air medium, thereby accelerating gravity sedimentation. To assess the microphysical characteristics and environmental isotope effects of micro-droplet groups under the action of acoustic waves, an air chamber experimental platform was established, and 100 groups of controlled experiments were conducted. The characteristic particle size, size spectrum, isotope values, corresponding linear relationships with hydrogen and oxygen, and d values were analyzed. The isotope exchange equation between the micro-droplet groups and environmental water vapor inside the air chamber was investigated. The results showed that the peak size values of the micro-droplet groups increased under the action of acoustic waves. The characteristic particle size (D90) showed a “trigger effect” with the acoustic operation with a positive deviation in the size spectrum and isotope exchange between the micro-droplet groups and environmental water vapor. The relative variations in theoretical values for different sedimentation conditions were consistent with those of the experimental results. Environment isotopes could be used to trace the acoustic agglomeration process of micro-droplets in the future.

Hydrochemical Zoning and Chemical Evolution of the Deep Upper Jurassic Thermal Groundwater Reservoir Using Water Chemical and Environmental Isotope Data

A comprehensive hydrogeological understanding of the deep Upper Jurassic carbonate aquifer, which represents an important geothermal reservoir in the South German Molasse Basin (SGMB), is crucial for improved and sustainable groundwater resource management. Water chemical data and environmental isotope analyses of D, 18O and 87Sr/86Sr were obtained from groundwater of 24 deep Upper Jurassic geothermal wells and coupled with a few analyses of noble gases (3He/4He, 40Ar/36Ar) and noble gas infiltration temperatures. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three major water types and allowed a hydrochemical zoning of the SGMB, while exploratory factor analyses identified the hydrogeological processes affecting the water chemical composition of the thermal water. Water types 1 and 2 are of Na-[Ca]-HCO3-Cl type, lowly mineralised and have been recharged under meteoric cold climate conditions. Both water types show 87Sr/86Sr signatures, stable water isotopes values and calculated apparent mean residence times, which suggest minor water-rock interaction within a hydraulically active flow system of the Northeastern and Southeastern Central Molasse Basin. This thermal groundwater have been most likely subglacially recharged in the south of the SGMB in close proximity to the Bavarian Alps with a delineated northwards flow direction. Highly mineralised groundwater of water type 3 (Na-Cl-HCO3 and Na-Cl) occurs in the Eastern Central Molasse Basin. In contrast to water types 1 and 2, this water type shows substantial water-rock interaction with terrestrial sediments and increasing 40Ar/36Ar ratios, which may also imply a hydraulic exchange with fossil formation waters of overlying Tertiary sediments.