Using stable isotopes as tracer to investigate hydrological condition and estimate water residence time in a plain region, Chengdu, China.

ABSTRACT: The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) were measured on river water and precipitation collected from four sub-catchments within the upper Tuojiang River catchment. δ¹⁸O values of river water and precipitation exhibit significant seasonal variations. These seasonal variations are used for estimating the mean residence time (MRT) for four sub-catchments by an exponential model, ranging from 346 to 493 days. The correlation between catchment MRT and mean slope of the catchment (r² = 0.29) is weak, while the correlations between catchment MRT, catchment area (r² = 0.79) and topographic index (r² = 0.98) are strong. These results indicate that topography and catchment area, both control the catchment MRT and

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7854618 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature