Regional variations and hydrochemical evolution in Golmud River Watershed (Qaidam Basin, China): an integration of self-organizing maps and multi-statistic approaches

IF 2.8 4区环境科学与生态学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental Earth Sciences Pub Date : 2025-02-28 DOI:10.1007/s12665-025-12145-z

Liang Guo, Yuanyuan Ding, Haisong Fang, Chunxue An, Guangcai Wang, Hairu Mao, Nuan Yang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Regional hydrochemical variations and their evolution mechanisms have been a common concern for a long time, especially in fragile ecological areas such as the Qaidam Basin. However, previous studies have conducted hydrochemical investigations mostly based on aquifer properties or geomorphic conditions to reveal hydrochemical characteristics and evolution mechanisms. In this study, we systemically collected and investigated hydrochemical characteristics by integrating machine learning algorithms and multivariate statistical analyses to unravel regional variability and evolutionary processes along the groundwater flow in the Qaidam Basin. The results deciphered more detailed and data-driven regional hydrochemical patterns. The hydrochemical type evolved from HCO₃·Cl-Ca·Mg·Na type in the recharge area to Cl-Mg·Na type in the distal discharge area and displayed a two-step variation, characterized by the accumulation of ionic components. A total of 8 clusters were identified from the SOM-KM output, representing distinct hydrochemical characteristics. Surface water and underground water showed similar hydrochemical evolutionary paths. The predominant hydrochemical process shifted from water–rock interaction to evaporation and concentration along the groundwater flow path. Cation exchange reactions were responsible for abnormal Mg²⁺/Na⁺ ratio and asynchronous Na⁺ and Cl⁻ variations. We obtained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the regional hydrochemical variations and evolutionary processes within the Golmud River Watershed. This study showed that combining novel data mining techniques and traditional hydrochemical approaches has great potential and promising prospects regarding the hydrochemical variation and evolution mechanism based on hydrochemical traits. The outcomes of this study are significant for hydrochemical evolution mechanisms and groundwater management in arid areas worldwide.

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柴达木盆地格尔木河流域的区域变化与水化学演化：自组织图与多元统计方法的结合

长期以来，区域水化学变化及其演化机制一直是人们关注的问题，特别是在柴达木盆地等生态脆弱地区。然而，以往的研究大多是基于含水层性质或地貌条件进行水化学调查，以揭示水化学特征及其演化机制。本研究采用机器学习算法和多元统计分析相结合的方法，对柴达木盆地的水化学特征进行了系统的收集和研究，揭示了地下水流动的区域变异和演化过程。结果破译了更详细和数据驱动的区域水化学模式。水化学类型由补给区HCO3·Cl-Ca·Mg·Na型向远端放电区Cl-Mg·Na型演变，呈现两步变化，以离子组分积累为特征。从SOM-KM输出中共识别出8个簇，代表了不同的水化学特征。地表水和地下水表现出相似的水化学演化路径。主要的水化学过程由水岩相互作用转变为沿地下水流动路径的蒸发和浓缩过程。阳离子交换反应导致Mg2+/Na+比值异常，Na+和Cl−不同步变化。对格尔木河流域的区域水化学变化及其演化过程有了更深入、更全面的认识。该研究表明，将新型数据挖掘技术与传统的水化学方法相结合，研究基于水化学特征的水化学变化及其演化机制具有巨大的潜力和前景。研究结果对干旱区水化学演化机制和地下水管理具有重要意义。

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来源期刊

Environmental Earth Sciences 环境科学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

3.60%

发文量

494

审稿时长

8.3 months

期刊介绍： Environmental Earth Sciences is an international multidisciplinary journal concerned with all aspects of interaction between humans, natural resources, ecosystems, special climates or unique geographic zones, and the earth: Water and soil contamination caused by waste management and disposal practices Environmental problems associated with transportation by land, air, or water Geological processes that may impact biosystems or humans Man-made or naturally occurring geological or hydrological hazards Environmental problems associated with the recovery of materials from the earth Environmental problems caused by extraction of minerals, coal, and ores, as well as oil and gas, water and alternative energy sources Environmental impacts of exploration and recultivation – Environmental impacts of hazardous materials Management of environmental data and information in data banks and information systems Dissemination of knowledge on techniques, methods, approaches and experiences to improve and remediate the environment In pursuit of these topics, the geoscientific disciplines are invited to contribute their knowledge and experience. Major disciplines include: hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geochemistry, geophysics, engineering geology, remediation science, natural resources management, environmental climatology and biota, environmental geography, soil science and geomicrobiology.