Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis
Abstract This study investigates the temporal processes of suprapermafrost groundwater (SPG)‐supplied streamflow in alpine permafrost regions, aiming to fill the gap in understanding this process from a water‐age perspective. Precipitation, streamflow, and SPG samples were collected from the Three‐R...
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Wiley
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Water Resources Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037329 |
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| author | Fa Du Zongxing Li Juan Gui Baijuan Zhang Jian Xue Huiling Zhou |
| author_facet | Fa Du Zongxing Li Juan Gui Baijuan Zhang Jian Xue Huiling Zhou |
| author_sort | Fa Du |
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| description | Abstract This study investigates the temporal processes of suprapermafrost groundwater (SPG)‐supplied streamflow in alpine permafrost regions, aiming to fill the gap in understanding this process from a water‐age perspective. Precipitation, streamflow, and SPG samples were collected from the Three‐Rivers Headwaters Region (TRHR). We defined the physical meaning of Fyw (the young water fraction) of the SPG and calculated it for the first time. The results showed that in the TRHR, the SPG mean travel time (MTT) was 159 days, and approximately 46.4% of SPG was younger than 77 days, whereas the streamflow MTT was 342 days, and approximately 12.2% of the streamflow was younger than 97 days. The correlation analysis revealed that various climatic factors played dominant roles in the recharge time variations of the SPG‐supplied streamflow within the TRHR. The SPG recharge rate did not significantly affect the streamflow Fyw; however, the thickness of the active layer ultimately controlled the SPG transit time distribution. Regression analysis further demonstrated the nonlinear impact of precipitation, average temperature, and average freezing days on SPG Fyw, which is closely related to seasonal freeze–thaw heat conduction and groundwater heat advection in the active layer. During the initial ablation period, the streamflow was primarily recharged by young SPG, resulting in a short‐tail travel time distribution. Our findings provide valuable insights into runoff generation and concentration processes in permafrost regions and have important implications for water resource management. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0043-1397 1944-7973 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Water Resources Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3150d8081f144e1092743012b58be9ea2025-08-20T03:30:56ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732024-07-01607n/an/a10.1029/2024WR037329Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction AnalysisFa Du0Zongxing Li1Juan Gui2Baijuan Zhang3Jian Xue4Huiling Zhou5Observation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaObservation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaObservation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaObservation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaObservation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaObservation and Research Station of Eco‐Hydrology and National Park by Stable Isotope Tracing in Qilian Mountains Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou ChinaAbstract This study investigates the temporal processes of suprapermafrost groundwater (SPG)‐supplied streamflow in alpine permafrost regions, aiming to fill the gap in understanding this process from a water‐age perspective. Precipitation, streamflow, and SPG samples were collected from the Three‐Rivers Headwaters Region (TRHR). We defined the physical meaning of Fyw (the young water fraction) of the SPG and calculated it for the first time. The results showed that in the TRHR, the SPG mean travel time (MTT) was 159 days, and approximately 46.4% of SPG was younger than 77 days, whereas the streamflow MTT was 342 days, and approximately 12.2% of the streamflow was younger than 97 days. The correlation analysis revealed that various climatic factors played dominant roles in the recharge time variations of the SPG‐supplied streamflow within the TRHR. The SPG recharge rate did not significantly affect the streamflow Fyw; however, the thickness of the active layer ultimately controlled the SPG transit time distribution. Regression analysis further demonstrated the nonlinear impact of precipitation, average temperature, and average freezing days on SPG Fyw, which is closely related to seasonal freeze–thaw heat conduction and groundwater heat advection in the active layer. During the initial ablation period, the streamflow was primarily recharged by young SPG, resulting in a short‐tail travel time distribution. Our findings provide valuable insights into runoff generation and concentration processes in permafrost regions and have important implications for water resource management.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037329permafrostsuprapermafrost ground waterwater ageyoung water fractionrecharge mechanismwater resource management |
| spellingShingle | Fa Du Zongxing Li Juan Gui Baijuan Zhang Jian Xue Huiling Zhou Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis Water Resources Research permafrost suprapermafrost ground water water age young water fraction recharge mechanism water resource management |
| title | Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis |
| title_full | Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis |
| title_short | Mechanisms of Suprapermafrost Groundwater Recharge Streamflow in Alpine Permafrost Regions: Insights From Young Water Fraction Analysis |
| title_sort | mechanisms of suprapermafrost groundwater recharge streamflow in alpine permafrost regions insights from young water fraction analysis |
| topic | permafrost suprapermafrost ground water water age young water fraction recharge mechanism water resource management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037329 |
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