Application of Rn-222 isotope for the interaction between surface water and groundwater in the Source Area of the Yellow River
A pioneering rapid and direct measurement of dissolved 222Rn in the field has been used here to explore interaction between surface and groundwater in the source area of the Yellow River (SAYR). The results indicate average 222Rn activity of 2,371 Bq/m3 in surface water and 27,835 Bq/m3 in groundwater. The high 222Rn activity (up to 9,133 Bq/m3) found in the southeast part of the SAYR suggests possible influence of permafrost on the exchange between surface water and groundwater. The remarkable contrast among the different samples of a stream in the Shuangchagou basin, a typical basin in the SAYR, clearly indicates groundwater infiltration along the north tributary and occurrence of groundwater end-member in the south tributary. Considering no 222Rn decay and atmospheric evasion, the daily average fraction of groundwater input to the surface water through the end-member in a location (S1) is estimated at 19%. Despite the up to 40% uncertainty, this is the first estimate of a reference value for groundwater input in this basin and which can be improved in the future with more samples and measurements. 222Rn can be a rapid and easily measured tracer of surface water–groundwater interaction for future investigation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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