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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Coupling Hydrochemistry and Stable
Isotopes (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C) for Understanding
the Geochemical Processes in Lihu Karst
Groundwater Systems in Southwest, China
1
Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS/ Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & Guangxi /International Research
Center on Karst, UNESCO, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
2
Pingguo Guangxi, Karst Ecosystem, National Observation and Research Station, Pingguo 531406, China
3
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Submission date: 2024-10-30
Final revision date: 2025-02-06
Acceptance date: 2025-03-04
Online publication date: 2025-04-22
Corresponding author
Qiong Xiao
Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS/ Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & Guangxi /International Research Center on Karst, UNESCO, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS/ Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & Guangxi /International Research Center on Karst, UNESCO, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The openness and sensitivity of karst water systems make the geochemical processes of groundwater
in karst areas of great importance. In this study, the recharge processes have been identified
based on physical-chemical indicators (T, DO, EC, HCO3−, SO42−, Cl-, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), δ2H, δ18O,
and δ13CDIC isotopes. The results are as follows: (1) Ions exchange is active in karst groundwater,
particularly during the dry season. (2) Evaporation and precipitation are significant but seasonally
varied processes governing the recharge of the Lihu underground river. Spring and summer
show significant groundwater recharge driven by rainfall, with intense evaporation in summer
and the isotopic and d-excess values in autumn reflecting the reduced rainfall and cooler weather.
Despite the combined influence of surface water and rainfall in winter, low precipitation produces
predominantly old groundwater, resulting in pronounced evaporative effects on groundwater isotopic
composition. (3) δ13CDIC values are generally heavy (-10.74‰ to -4.34‰) in the underground water,
indicating rapid surface water infiltration with short residence times and abbreviated karstification
processes in summer versus longer residence times and prolonged karstification in winter. This study
highlights chemical and isotope analysis to understand karst recharge and hydrodynamics in Southwest
China and beyond.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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