Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China

Study region: Chahannaoer Lake, the largest inland saline lake in northern China, is vital for biodiversity conservation but has been dried-up in recent years. Study focus: This study aimed to identify lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) differences between two small perennial lakes on the wester...

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Main Authors: Rui Xu, Yao Du, Zichen Wang, Xiaoliang Sun, Liangping Yang, Junting Liu, Yiqun Gan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825001041
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author Rui Xu
Yao Du
Zichen Wang
Xiaoliang Sun
Liangping Yang
Junting Liu
Yiqun Gan
author_facet Rui Xu
Yao Du
Zichen Wang
Xiaoliang Sun
Liangping Yang
Junting Liu
Yiqun Gan
author_sort Rui Xu
collection DOAJ
description Study region: Chahannaoer Lake, the largest inland saline lake in northern China, is vital for biodiversity conservation but has been dried-up in recent years. Study focus: This study aimed to identify lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) differences between two small perennial lakes on the western (XHZ) and eastern (HHZ) sides of Chahannaoer Lake and the internal LGD spatial variability within each lake. A comprehensive approach was used by combining 222Rn model, water balance model and water chemistry. New hydrological insights for the region: Significant spatial variability of 222Rn was observed in both lakes, increasing with increased distance from Chahannaoer Lake, and consistent with distributions of total nitrogen, total organic carbon, and chlorophyll-a. Average LGD rates were 18.7 mm/d for XHZ and 7.3 mm/d for HHZ, respectively. The difference in LGD rates could be attributed to geological structural influences that enhance connectivity and groundwater flow, as well as groundwater interception leading to internal differences in LGD rates of each lake. Findings from this study indicate that hydrogeological conditions in the northwest of the Chahannaoer Lake are favorable for greater water influx to the lake. Consequently, it is recommended to prioritize ecological restoration efforts in the northwest of the lake. This study can improve our understanding of LGD in lake groups adjacent to large lakes in arid regions and can inform water resource management and ecological restoration.
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spelling doaj-art-eba3441257d84a9a815281b0f0876e8f2025-08-20T02:57:47ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182025-04-015810228010.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102280Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern ChinaRui Xu0Yao Du1Zichen Wang2Xiaoliang Sun3Liangping Yang4Junting Liu5Yiqun Gan6MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; Correspondence to: School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Jincheng Road 68, Wuhan 430078, China.MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, ChinaGeological Survey and Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot 010000, ChinaGeological Survey and Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot 010000, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, ChinaStudy region: Chahannaoer Lake, the largest inland saline lake in northern China, is vital for biodiversity conservation but has been dried-up in recent years. Study focus: This study aimed to identify lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) differences between two small perennial lakes on the western (XHZ) and eastern (HHZ) sides of Chahannaoer Lake and the internal LGD spatial variability within each lake. A comprehensive approach was used by combining 222Rn model, water balance model and water chemistry. New hydrological insights for the region: Significant spatial variability of 222Rn was observed in both lakes, increasing with increased distance from Chahannaoer Lake, and consistent with distributions of total nitrogen, total organic carbon, and chlorophyll-a. Average LGD rates were 18.7 mm/d for XHZ and 7.3 mm/d for HHZ, respectively. The difference in LGD rates could be attributed to geological structural influences that enhance connectivity and groundwater flow, as well as groundwater interception leading to internal differences in LGD rates of each lake. Findings from this study indicate that hydrogeological conditions in the northwest of the Chahannaoer Lake are favorable for greater water influx to the lake. Consequently, it is recommended to prioritize ecological restoration efforts in the northwest of the lake. This study can improve our understanding of LGD in lake groups adjacent to large lakes in arid regions and can inform water resource management and ecological restoration.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825001041Lacustrine groundwater dischargeRadonSpatial disparitiesSmall perennial lakesChahannaoer Lake
spellingShingle Rui Xu
Yao Du
Zichen Wang
Xiaoliang Sun
Liangping Yang
Junting Liu
Yiqun Gan
Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
Lacustrine groundwater discharge
Radon
Spatial disparities
Small perennial lakes
Chahannaoer Lake
title Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
title_full Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
title_fullStr Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
title_full_unstemmed Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
title_short Contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried-up Chahannaoer Lake, Northern China
title_sort contrasting lacustrine groundwater discharge in two small perennial lakes around dried up chahannaoer lake northern china
topic Lacustrine groundwater discharge
Radon
Spatial disparities
Small perennial lakes
Chahannaoer Lake
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825001041
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