Using stable isotopes of surface water and groundwater to quantify moisture sources across the Yellow River source region

Abstract

Characterization of stable isotope compositions (δ2H and δ18O) of surface water and groundwater in a catchment is critical for refining moisture sources and establishing modern isotope–elevation relationships for paleoelevation reconstructions. There is no consensus on the moisture sources of precipitation in the Yellow River source region during summer season. This study presents δ2H and δ18O data from 111 water samples collected from tributaries, mainstream, lakes, and groundwater across the Yellow River source region during summertime. Measured δ18O values of the tributaries range from −13.5‰ to −5.8‰ with an average of −11.0‰. Measured δ18O values of the groundwater samples range from −12.7‰ to −10.5‰ with an average of −11.9‰. The δ18O data of tributary waters display a northward increase of 1.66‰ per degree latitude. The δ18O data and d‐excess values imply that moisture sources of the Yellow River source region during summertime are mainly from the mixing of the Indian Summer Monsoon and the Westerlies, local water recycling, and subcloud evaporation. Analysis of tributary δ18O data from the Yellow River source region and streamwater and precipitation δ18O data from its surrounding areas leads to a best‐fit second‐order polynomial relationship between δ18O and elevation over a 4,600 m elevation range. A δ18O elevation gradient of −1.6‰/km is also established using these data, and the gradient is in consistence with the δ18O elevation gradient of north and eastern plateau. Such relationships can be used for paleoelevation reconstructions in the Yellow River source region.