Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 June 2023) | Viewed by 22432

Special Issue Editors

Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Interests: lake hydrology; arid ecohydrology; isotope hydrology; biogeochemistry; water quality modeling
College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Interests: isotope hydrology; arid land hydrology; water cycle; precipitation; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of resources and environmental engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
Interests: isotope hydrology; groundwater recharge; biogeochemistry; geomorphology
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun 666303, Yunnan, China
Interests: evapotranspiration; water source; water vapor fluxes; infrared spectroscopy; hillslope hydrology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applications of isotope tracers into hydrological investigations stem from their ability to trace water sources and hydrological processes, including surface/groundwater interaction, water residence times, flow pathways, evaporation fluxes, transit time, and solute processes on the spatial and temporal scales. Understanding the hydrological processes of water sources is very important because these sustainable sources of freshwater for a growing population of 7 billion people are one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Stable water isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) are most commonly employed as tracers as they are incorporated within the water molecule (H218O, 1H2H16O) and because they undergo measurable and systematic fractionations as they move between phases in the water cycle. The study of hydrological processes that control water quality has also been an important avenue of environmental investigation. Water-related biogeochemical studies have also tended to rely extensively on solute isotopes, namely carbon, nitrogen, strontium, sulfur, and chloride.

This Special Issue is dedicated to “Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology” and seeks to capture the most up-to-date research and practices. We would therefore like to call for original research from researchers, practitioners, and decision makers about their contributions to the perspectives on isotope hydrology to illuminate the water cycle and environmental problems. We are looking for papers that discuss watershed hydrological processes, including (1) precipitation isotope networks revealing the convection activity, hydrometeorological processes below the cloud, and regional hydrology; (2) hydrograph separation and groundwater recharge; (3) river basin hydrology, for example, exploring the effects of human activities on water discharge (e.g., dams) and river water transit time; (4) lake hydrology, especially assessment of lake water balance and evaporation processes, etc.; (5) ecological hydrology, for example, evapotranspiration separation and plant water-use strategy, etc.; and (6) application of environmental isotopes in paleohydrology and paleoclimate studies.

Dr. Huawu Wu
Dr. Shengjie Wang
Dr. Buli Cui
Dr. Bin Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • environmental isotopes
  • precipitation
  • hydrograph separation
  • transit time
  • hydrological processes
  • moisture transport
  • ecohydrology
  • climate proxy

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 7374 KiB  
Article
Comparisons of Precipitation Isotopic Effects on Daily, Monthly and Annual Time Scales—A Case Study in the Subtropical Monsoon Region of Eastern China
by Zhuoyong Xiao, Xinping Zhang, Xiong Xiao, Xin Chang, Xinguang He and Cicheng Zhang
Water 2023, 15(3), 438; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15030438 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1441
Abstract
The study on precipitation isotope variation can potentially improve the understanding of weather processes, regional water cycle and paleoclimate reconstruction in the subtropical monsoon region. Based on the measured stable isotope composition in precipitation (δ18Op) and daily precipitation [...] Read more.
The study on precipitation isotope variation can potentially improve the understanding of weather processes, regional water cycle and paleoclimate reconstruction in the subtropical monsoon region. Based on the measured stable isotope composition in precipitation (δ18Op) and daily precipitation from January 2010 to December 2021 in Changsha of the subtropical monsoon region of eastern China, the δ18Op variations, amount effect and local meteoric water line (LMWL) were analyzed and compared on daily, monthly and annual time scales, as well as under different precipitation intensities. The results showed that, on the daily time scale, δ18Op was significantly and negatively correlated with precipitation in the study area. Influenced by subcloud evaporation, small precipitation events (≤5 mm/d) could change the rainout level of precipitation isotopes. There were significant differences in the slope and intercept of the LMWL on different time scales, in different seasons and under different precipitation intensities. On the daily and monthly time scales, the slope and intercept of the LMWL in the cold half of the year were significantly smaller and larger than those in the warm half of the year, respectively, and the slope and intercept of the LMWL increased significantly with precipitation intensity, and then remained largely stable. On the annual time scale, the slope and intercept of the LMWL in the cold half of the year were smaller than those in the warm half of the year. The possible reasons for the differences in the LMWL on different time scales are the combined effects of seasonal differences in precipitation intensity and water vapor sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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17 pages, 5775 KiB  
Article
Temp-Spatial Heterogeneity of Water Recharge and Its Stable Mechanisms of the Mountainous Rice Terraces in East Asia Monsoon Region
by Chengjing Liu, Yuanmei Jiao, Qiue Xu, Zhilin Liu and Yinping Ding
Water 2022, 14(24), 4110; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14244110 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484
Abstract
The paddy field water recharge system and the mechanism of its stability are key scientific issues related to reducing the threat to global food security and enhancing the well-being of humans. In this study, we sampled the field water, precipitation, and groundwater in [...] Read more.
The paddy field water recharge system and the mechanism of its stability are key scientific issues related to reducing the threat to global food security and enhancing the well-being of humans. In this study, we sampled the field water, precipitation, and groundwater in the Hani terrace areas and measured the values of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes. The results indicated that precipitation and groundwater were the main sources of terrace water recharge in the Hani terrace area. Spatially, the terrace areas were divided into rain-fed terraces, which were mainly recharged by precipitation, and spring-fed terraces, where groundwater was the primary source of recharge. Temporally, there were two different recharge periods: the rain-fed season (>70% recharge from precipitation) and the spring-fed season (>30% recharge from groundwater). The temporally alternating recharge periods of the spring-fed and rain-fed seasons and the interconnected spatial distribution of rain-fed and spring-fed types were essential to maintain stable water sources in the Hani terraces. Meanwhile, the spatial heterogeneity of groundwater recharge and the timing of agricultural cultivation adjusted the system to some extent. Rice cultivation will be sustainable if the changes in monsoonal precipitation due to global climate change align with the anthropogenic agricultural cultivation cycle, including land preparation, planting, growing, and harvesting. This is the key reason that the mountainous rice cultivation systems of the Hani terraces have lasted for thousands of years under the influence of the East Asian monsoon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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19 pages, 5288 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Variations of Stable Isotopes in Precipitation in the Mountainous Region, North Hesse
by Amani Mahindawansha, Marius Jost and Matthias Gassmann
Water 2022, 14(23), 3910; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14233910 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2183 | Correction
Abstract
Patterns of stable isotopes of water (18O and 2H) in precipitation have been used as tracers for analyzing environmental processes which can be changed by factors such as the topography or meteorological variables. In this study, we investigated the isotopic [...] Read more.
Patterns of stable isotopes of water (18O and 2H) in precipitation have been used as tracers for analyzing environmental processes which can be changed by factors such as the topography or meteorological variables. In this study, we investigated the isotopic data in precipitation for one year in the low mountain range of North Hesse, Germany, and analyzed mainly for altitude, rainfall amount, and air temperature effects on a regional scale. The results indicate that the isotopic composition expressed an altitude effect with a gradient of −0.14‰/100 m for δ18O, −0.28‰/100 m for δ2H and 0.83‰/100 m for Deuterium excess. Patterns of enrichment during warmer months and depletion during colder months were detected. Seasonal correlations were not consistent because the altitude effect was superimposed by other processes such as amount and temperature effects, vapor origins, orographic rainout processes, moisture recycling, and sub-cloud secondary evaporation. Precipitation was mostly affected by secondary evaporation and mixing processes during the summer while depleted moisture-bearing fronts and condensation were more responsible for isotope depletion during winter. In autumn and spring, the amount effect was more prominent in combination with moisture recycling, and large-scale convective processes. The altitude effect was also detected in surface water. The investigated elevation transect with multiple stations provided unique insights into hydrological and climatic processes of North Hesse on a regional scale. The spatial heterogeneity and mixing of different processes suggest that multiple rainfall stations are required when rainfall isotopes serve as forcing data for hydrological applications such as transit time assessments in complex terrains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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15 pages, 4414 KiB  
Article
Backward Trajectory Analysis Based on Specific Humidity Correction for the Influence of Moisture Sources on Precipitation Isotopes in the Western Loess Plateau, China
by Xiaobo Yue, Mingjun Zhang, Deye Qu, Shengjie Wang, Fenli Chen, Yu Zhang and Yuanyuan Tian
Water 2022, 14(21), 3452; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14213452 - 29 Oct 2022
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Abstract
Based on the precipitation samples collected in Minxian in the western Loess Plateau from 2019 to 2021, this study analyzes the influence of moisture sources on precipitation isotopes. Through the specific humidity correction of the backward trajectory, it is found that Xinjiang and [...] Read more.
Based on the precipitation samples collected in Minxian in the western Loess Plateau from 2019 to 2021, this study analyzes the influence of moisture sources on precipitation isotopes. Through the specific humidity correction of the backward trajectory, it is found that Xinjiang and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River may be the main moisture sources. Through cluster analysis of backward trajectories, it is found that in the summer half-year, the water vapor from the east and northeast leads to the precipitation with a depleted isotope ratio, while the water vapor from the south and northwest leads to the precipitation with an enriched isotope ratio; in the winter half, water vapor from the east leads to precipitation with enriched isotope ratios, while water vapor from the northwest and northeast leads to precipitation with depleted isotope ratios. In addition, the precipitation isotope values showed a tendency to deplete with the duration of water vapor transport in the summer half-year, but this tendency was not obvious in the winter half-year. The relationship between precipitation isotopes and water vapor transport height showed a positive correlation in both the winter half-year and summer half-year. Using the Potential Source Contribution Factor analysis methods and the backward trajectory after the specific humidity revision, it was found that the potential evaporation source areas in the summer half-year are larger in extent, mainly distributed in the eastern and southern regions of the sampling site, and the contribution of local recycled vapor to precipitation is 32.17%; while the potential evaporation source areas in the winter half-year are smaller in extent, they are only distributed in the southern region of the sampling site, and the contribution of local recycled vapor to precipitation is 24.66%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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21 pages, 19528 KiB  
Article
Temporal Variation of Suspended Sediment and Solute Fluxes in a Permafrost-Underlain Headwater Catchment on the Tibetan Plateau
by Xiong Xiao, Zhu Liu, Keshao Liu and Jiaqi Wang
Water 2022, 14(18), 2782; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14182782 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1301
Abstract
Under global warming, the permafrost-underlain headwater catchments of the Tibetan Plateau have undergone extensive permafrost degradation and changes in precipitation characteristics, which may substantially alter the riverine suspended sediment and riverine solute fluxes. However, these fluxes and their influencing factors in such catchments [...] Read more.
Under global warming, the permafrost-underlain headwater catchments of the Tibetan Plateau have undergone extensive permafrost degradation and changes in precipitation characteristics, which may substantially alter the riverine suspended sediment and riverine solute fluxes. However, these fluxes and their influencing factors in such catchments are poorly understood. We studied the suspended sediment and solute fluxes in a permafrost-underlain headwater catchment on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, based on comprehensive measurements of various water types in spring and summer in 2017. The daily flux of suspended sediment in spring was close to that in summer, but heavy rainfall events following a relatively long dry period made the largest contribution to the suspended sediment fluxes in summer. The riverine solute flux (in tons) was 12.6% and 27.8% of the suspended sediment flux (in tons) in spring and summer, indicating the dominating role of physical weathering in total material exportation. The snowmelt mobilized more suspended sediment fluxes and fewer solutes fluxes than summer rain, which may be due to the meltwater erosion and freeze–thaw processes in spring and the thicker thawed soil layer and better vegetation coverage in summer, and the longer contact time between the soil pore water and the soil and rock minerals after the thawing of frozen soil. The input of snowmelt driven by higher air temperatures in spring and the direct input of rainfall in summer would both act to dilute the stream water; however, the supra-permafrost water, with high solute contents, recharged the adjacent streamflow as frozen soil seeps and thus moderated the decrease in the riverine solute content during heavy snowmelt or rainfall events. With the permafrost degradation under future global warming, the solute fluxes in permafrost-underlain headwater catchments may increase, but the suspended sediment flux in spring may decrease due to the expansion of discontinuous permafrost areas and active layer thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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17 pages, 4457 KiB  
Article
Evolution of Sustainable Water Resource Utilization in Hunan Province, China
by Na Liu, Wulin Jiang, Linjuan Huang, Yilong Li, Cicheng Zhang, Xiong Xiao and Yimin Huang
Water 2022, 14(16), 2477; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14162477 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1713
Abstract
The demand for social and economic development has promoted research into water resources. The combined effects of natural conditions and human activities on regional water resource usage are not well understood. The sustainable utilization of water resources was assessed in terms of supply [...] Read more.
The demand for social and economic development has promoted research into water resources. The combined effects of natural conditions and human activities on regional water resource usage are not well understood. The sustainable utilization of water resources was assessed in terms of supply (e.g., precipitation) and demand (e.g., ecological water resources footprint (EFw)) sides in Hunan Province, China, from 2010 to 2019. The results showed that: (1) on the supply side, water resources were increased across Hunan Province. The spatial patterns of total water resources are significantly heterogeneous, with high values in the east and south, which are mainly affected by precipitation; (2) on the demand side, evapotranspiration was great in areas with high vegetation coverage. The EFw was high in relatively developed areas. The mean percentage of agricultural EFw remained dominant at approximately 60% with a steady decreasing trend, while that of eco-environmental EFw increased; and (3) the sustainable utilization of water resources in Hunan Province is generally rational. Moreover, the potential for water resource development and utilization is really significant in eastern and southern Hunan Province. The findings are beneficial in providing an important scientific basis for policymaking relating to the efficient utilization of regional water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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14 pages, 3741 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Surface Water–Groundwater Interactions Based on Isotopic Data from the Kaidu River Basin, South Tianshan Mountain
by Yuting Fan, Ye Wu, Yun Wang, Shengxia Jiang, Shulong Yu and Huaming Shang
Water 2022, 14(14), 2259; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14142259 - 19 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1721
Abstract
The unique climate conditions and water source composition in the Tianshan Mountain provide a good experimental site for verifying the relationships between water resources and climate change on a larger scale. With the help of water isotopes (D, 18O), a more reliable [...] Read more.
The unique climate conditions and water source composition in the Tianshan Mountain provide a good experimental site for verifying the relationships between water resources and climate change on a larger scale. With the help of water isotopes (D, 18O), a more reliable conceptual model of groundwater systems can be constructed on both local and regional scales, especially in areas that are susceptible to climate change and under pressure from intensive human activities. In this paper, we present δ18O, δD, d-excess, RWLs and altitude effects of river water and groundwater based on the data derived from our network of stable isotope sampling sites along the Kaidu River. Stable isotope mass balance was applied to study the interactions between groundwater and surface water and to quantify the recharge proportions between bodies of water in typical regions. The results showed that the Kaidu River is composed of precipitation, ice and snow melt, baseflow and groundwater. The percentage of groundwater increased with the distance between upstream (the runoff producing area) and the leading edge of the glacier. The two recharge areas are the spring overflow from the mountain area to the alluvial layer of the inclined plain and the leading edge of the alluvial plains to areas with fine soil. The groundwater recharge ratio is about 23% in high mountain areas but 46% or more in the middle and lower reaches. These results generated a more comprehensive understanding of the hydrological cycle of inland rivers in arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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17 pages, 5139 KiB  
Article
The Partitioning of Catchment Evapotranspiration Fluxes as Revealed by Stable Isotope Signals in the Alpine Inland River Basin
by Zhigang Wang, Shengkui Cao, Guangchao Cao, Yaofang Hou, Youcai Wang and Ligang Kang
Water 2022, 14(5), 790; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14050790 - 02 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
Evapotranspiration is an important process in the water budget of an ecosystem. Quantifying the components of evapotranspiration is of great significance in revealing the ecohydrological process of alpine inland river basins. In this study, the evapotranspiration fluxes in the Shaliu River basin were [...] Read more.
Evapotranspiration is an important process in the water budget of an ecosystem. Quantifying the components of evapotranspiration is of great significance in revealing the ecohydrological process of alpine inland river basins. In this study, the evapotranspiration fluxes in the Shaliu River basin were classified by hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope technology and remote sensing technology. The results showed the following: (1) The average value of soil fractional evaporation (E1) in the summer of 2018 and 2019 was 7.59 mm and 2.10 mm, respectively. (2) The average ratio of soil evaporation (Esoil) in the summer of 2018 was 48.82%, 68.11%, 54.99%, respectively. The average ratio of Esoil in the summer of 2019 was 66.86%, 57.50%, 55.53%, respectively. The average value of Esoil in the summer of 2018 and 2019 was 42.84 mm and 35.36 mm, respectively. (3) The average ratio of vegetation transpiration (T) in the summer of 2018 was 51.18%, 31.89%, and 45.01%, respectively. The average ratio of T in the summer of 2019 was 33.14%, 42.50%, and 44.47%, respectively. The average value of T in the summer of 2018 and 2019 was 32.59 mm and 26.23 mm, respectively. Obviously, the soil fractionation was stronger in the summer of 2018 than that in the summer of 2019. At the same time, both soil evaporation and plant transpiration in summer 2018 were higher than those in summer 2019, and soil evaporation in the Shaliu River basin was greater than plant transpiration in summer during the study period. The results of this study can provide data reference for mastering the eco-hydrological process of the Shaliu River basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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20 pages, 2047 KiB  
Article
The Variation in Groundwater Microbial Communities in an Unconfined Aquifer Contaminated by Multiple Nitrogen Contamination Sources
by Justin G. Morrissy, Matthew J. Currell, Suzie M. Reichman, Aravind Surapaneni, Mallavarapu Megharaj, Nicholas D. Crosbie, Daniel Hirth, Simon Aquilina, William Rajendram and Andrew S. Ball
Water 2022, 14(4), 613; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14040613 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2066
Abstract
Aquifers provide integral freshwater resources and host ecosystems of largely uncharacterized, truncated endemic microorganisms. In recent history, many aquifers have become increasingly contaminated from various anthropogenic sources. To better understand the impacts of nitrogen contamination on native groundwater ecosystems, 16S rRNA sequencing of [...] Read more.
Aquifers provide integral freshwater resources and host ecosystems of largely uncharacterized, truncated endemic microorganisms. In recent history, many aquifers have become increasingly contaminated from various anthropogenic sources. To better understand the impacts of nitrogen contamination on native groundwater ecosystems, 16S rRNA sequencing of the groundwater microbial communities was carried out. Samples were taken from an aquifer known to be contaminated with nitrogen from multiple sources, including fertilizers and wastewater treatment plant effluents. In total, two primary contaminants were identified: NH4+ (<0.1–3.7–26 mg L−1 NH4+ min-median-max), and NO3 (<0.01–18–150 mg L−1 NO3 min-median-max). These contaminants were found to be associated with a decrease/increase in microbial species richness within affected groundwater for NH4+/NO3, respectively. Important phyla were identified, including Proteobacteria, which had the highest abundance within samples unaffected by NH4+ (36–81% NH4+ unaffected, 4–33% NH4+ affected), and Planctomycetes (0.05–10% NH4+ unaffected, 43–72% NH4+ affected), which had the highest abundance within the NH4+ affected samples, likely due to its ability to perform anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX). Planctomycetes were identified as a potential indicator for the presence of NH4+ contamination. The analysis and characterization of sequencing data alongside physicochemical data showed potential to increase the depth of our understanding of contaminant behavior and fate within a contaminated aquifer using this type of data and analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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14 pages, 5534 KiB  
Article
Insights into Shallow Freshwater Lakes Hydrology in the Yangtze Floodplain from Stable Water Isotope Tracers
by Jing Li, Fan Song, Zhicheng Bao, Hongxiang Fan and Huawu Wu
Water 2022, 14(3), 506; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14030506 - 08 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1752
Abstract
Stable isotopes of lake waters are widely used to identify the relative importance of hydrological processes on the lake water balance across the ungauged landscape via the coupled-isotope tracer model. The isotopic compositions of twenty shallow freshwater lakes across the mid-lower reaches of [...] Read more.
Stable isotopes of lake waters are widely used to identify the relative importance of hydrological processes on the lake water balance across the ungauged landscape via the coupled-isotope tracer model. The isotopic compositions of twenty shallow freshwater lakes across the mid-lower reaches of Yangtze floodplain (MLY) were investigated in January and May of 2018. The lake-specific input water (δI) and evaporation-to-inflow (E/I) ratios were estimated to explore the specific lake hydrology across the MLY. Results showed that distinct isotopic enrichment trends in May compared with those in January, which was indicative of stronger evaporation in May. The δ18OI values of specific lakes exhibited large variability across the MLY, which may be related to the watershed properties, such as watershed area and elevation, and rainfall. The estimated E/I ratios of lakes across the MLY were below 1, which suggested that these lakes (code 1–15) are flood-dominated in the middle reaches of Yangtze River where lakes are susceptible to Three Gorges Dams regulations. By contrast, the relatively lower variability of lake E/I ratios were observed from the Yangtze River Delta (code 17–20) because these lakes with developed river network systems are highly exchanged by artificial regulation. Our investigation of lake types and corresponding isotopic evolution patterns are likely typical of other floodplain landscapes and their identification could be used to better predict hydrological responses to ongoing climate change and artificial regulations by dams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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Review

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26 pages, 3451 KiB  
Review
Research Trends in Groundwater and Stable Isotopes
by Paúl Carrión-Mero, Néstor Montalván-Burbano, Gricelda Herrera-Franco, Luis Domínguez-Granda, Lady Bravo-Montero and Fernando Morante-Carballo
Water 2022, 14(19), 3173; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14193173 - 09 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4147
Abstract
Groundwater is essential in the management of water resources globally. The water quality of aquifers is affected by climate change and population growth, aspects that can be addressed with stable isotope analysis. This study aims to carry out an analysis of the scientific [...] Read more.
Groundwater is essential in the management of water resources globally. The water quality of aquifers is affected by climate change and population growth, aspects that can be addressed with stable isotope analysis. This study aims to carry out an analysis of the scientific information related to groundwater and stable isotopes (GSI) using scientific databases (Scopus and Web of Science) to evaluate the intellectual structure of the subject and the emerging research lines. The methodology includes: (i) topic search selection, (ii) tools in databases processing, (iii) bibliometric analysis, and (iv) review by clustering technique. The results showed that the scientific production of GSI can be addressed through three evolution periods: I (1969–1990), II (1991–2005), and III (2006–2021). Periods I and II did not significantly contribute to publications because, in the past, most of the student’s thesis (M.Sc. and Ph.D) consisted of writing a report that summarizes their works. Therefore, the researcher was not obliged to publish their results in a professional journal. Finally, the third period showed exponential growth, representing 82.34% of the total publications in this theme because, in the last years, institutions require at least one scientific article depending on the country and university, in order to graduate with an M.Sc. and PhD. Finally, the contribution of this study is reflected in the recognition of new research lines and their applicability by the knowledge of recharge sources, environmental aspects, infiltration, knowledge of the aquifer-meteoric water system, and groundwater-superficial water interaction. These aspects offer the possibility of analyzing integrated water resources management at the watershed or river-aquifer systems level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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Other

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1 pages, 602 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Mahindawansha et al. Spatial and Temporal Variations of Stable Isotopes in Precipitation in the Mountainous Region, North Hesse. Water 2022, 14, 3910
by Amani Mahindawansha, Marius Jost and Matthias Gassmann
Water 2023, 15(4), 638; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15040638 - 06 Feb 2023
Viewed by 663
Abstract
In the original publication [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isotope Tracers in Watershed Hydrology)
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