Investigation of groundwater circulation models in the Jiuquan Basin

Abstract

The Jiuquan Basin, with area of 6,800 square kilometers, located in the arid northwest of China, is a vital part of the Hexi Corridor. Investigating its groundwater circulation model is essential for understanding regional hydrogeological processes, sustainable water resource management, and ecological protection. This study, building upon previous research, utilizes hydrogeological surveys, hydrogeochemical analysis, isotope tracing (δD and δ¹⁸O) with sample size of 439, and radiocarbon dating (¹⁴C) with sample size of 45 to evaluate the groundwater flow systems and groundwater age distribution. Results reveal that groundwater primarily originates from meltwater from the Qilian Mountains and atmospheric precipitation, flowing from south to north. The central basin exhibits slower circulation and older groundwater, while the groundwater in the Heihe River mainstream and the Beida River Basin was relatively young due to the favorable conditions for recharge and discharge. The local meteoric water line (LMWL) is defined as δD = 6.02 × δ¹⁸O- 2.5. Based on isotopic and age data, the basin is divided into several secondary groundwater flow systems (SGFS). This work contributes valuable insight into arid-zone hydrodynamics and supports ecological and water management strategies in the Jiuquan Basin.

1 Introduction

The Jiuquan Basin, situated in the arid region of northwestern China, represents a key segment of the Hexi Corridor and plays an irreplaceable role in regional socio-economic development and ecological sustainability (Wu et al., 2015). Due to its inland location, limited precipitation, and intense evaporation, groundwater has become the primary water source in the basin (Figure 1). Understanding the groundwater circulation patterns is of great significance for water resource management, ecological protection, and sustainable development in this ecologically fragile zone. As a critical buffer zone between human activities and the natural environment, the Jiuquan Basin’s hydrogeological processes are intricately linked to the broader water and ecological security of the Hexi Corridor and even northwestern China as a whole.

FIGURE 1

Li, 2004; Liu, 2003; Xie et al., 2024; Yang, 2020; Xiong, 2004; Wei et al., 2007; Mi et al., 2016).

In recent decades, researchers have conducted extensive investigations into the hydrogeology of the Jiuquan Basin. Methods including geological surveys, geophysical exploration, hydrochemical analysis, and groundwater modeling have identified key characteristics of the aquifer system. These include vertical stratification and horizontal zonation, recharge primarily from Qilian Mountain snowmelt and atmospheric precipitation, and a general south-to-north flow direction that ends in terminal lakes or through evaporation (He et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2021; Shen, 2008; Zhou et al., 2009). Hydrochemical simulations and stable isotope analyses (δD and δ¹⁸O) have revealed slow groundwater movement, strong water-rock interactions, and complex geochemical evolution (Zhang et al., 2005; Zhu et al., 2010; He et al., 2012; Hu et al., 2014; Ren, 2020; Feng et al., 2022; Pan et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2006). Several studies have also applied numerical models to simulate basin-scale groundwater flow under varying scenarios (Wang, 2007; Wang and Zhou, 2009), providing valuable guidance for groundwater exploitation and ecological conservation (Jia et al., 2008; Yin et al., 2022; Ugural et al., 2024; Qiu et al., 2015; Sang et al., 2025).

Despite these advances, several important knowledge gaps remain. First, the mechanisms governing deep groundwater circulation in the basin are not yet well understood. Second, existing studies have focused primarily on the overall groundwater pattern, while the internal heterogeneity and secondary groundwater flow systems within the basin have not been clearly delineated. Additionally, the connections between different recharge sources, aquifer layers, and groundwater age distributions require further investigation. These limitations constrain the accuracy of regional water resource assessments and the formulation of targeted management strategies.

To address these challenges, this study integrates field hydrogeological investigations, hydrochemical analysis, isotopic tracing (δD, δ¹⁸O), and radiocarbon dating (¹⁴C) to establish a refined conceptual model of groundwater circulation in the Jiuquan Basin (Figure 2). The research aims to reveal spatial differentiation in groundwater recharge, flow, and age across different geomorphic units and hydrologic zones. By analyzing isotopic patterns and groundwater ages, this study delineates secondary groundwater flow systems and explores their controlling factors. The outcomes are expected to provide a scientific foundation for rational groundwater use and ecological protection, as well as to contribute to broader understandings of groundwater dynamics in arid inland basins.

FIGURE 2

2 Materials and methods

This study is based on field data collected from the Jiuquan Basin as part of the 1:50,000 hydrogeological survey conducted within the Heihe River Basin. Water samples were obtained from multiple sources, including river water, reservoir water, spring water, shallow hand-dug wells (typically <20 m depth), medium-depth civil wells (20–150 m), and deep boreholes (>150 m), including those sampled during pumping tests. The sampling sites were spatially distributed across the Jiuquan Basin, with denser coverage in oasis areas and sparser coverage in desert regions, ensuring comprehensive spatial representation.

Deuterium (δD) and oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) isotopic analyses were performed on all collected samples to trace groundwater sources and identify recharge processes. A total of 439 deuterium-oxygen isotope samples and 45 radiocarbon (¹⁴C) samples were analyzed. Isotopic analyses were carried out at the Hydrogeological and Environmental Geological Survey Center of the China Geological Survey with accuracy of ±0.5%, while ¹⁴C dating was conducted by Beta Analytic Inc., United States with accuracy of ±0.2pMC. These data provide critical insights into groundwater origin, flow pathways, residence time, and the evolution of hydrogeological processes in the region.

3 Results

3.1 Deuterium-oxygen isotope characteristics

The water samples collected from the Jiuquan Basin include both surface water (rivers, reservoirs, ponds, springs) and groundwater, which is further categorized by depth: shallow (<20 m), intermediate (20–150 m), and deep (150–300 m). Isotopic data (δD and δ¹⁸O) indicate significant differences between surface and groundwater groups. Given the strong linear relationship between δD and δ¹⁸O, the discussion here primarily focuses on δ¹⁸O variation.

The δ¹⁸O values for surface water range from −10.8‰ to −3.2‰, exhibiting the widest distribution. Shallow groundwater ranges from −10.7‰ to −6.5‰, intermediate groundwater from −11.9‰ to −7.5‰, and deep groundwater from −11.9‰ to −7.7‰. Notably, the intermediate and deep groundwater have similar isotopic ranges, suggesting comparable recharge sources or residence times. These findings are statistically summarized in Table 1.

Stable isotope analysis is an effective tool for tracing groundwater sources and recharge pathways (Li et al., 2025; Mondal et al., 2023; Alrehaili et al., 2024; Herrera et al., 2025). As shown in Figure 3, the δD–δ¹⁸O plot of surface water reveals that most samples align closely with the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL), indicating meteoric origin. Some samples, especially from small reservoirs in the Beidagang River Basin, deviate due to evaporation effects, as shown in the magnified inset (Figure 3b). Differences in δ¹⁸O among rivers are also apparent, reflecting varied recharge elevations and hydrological conditions.

FIGURE 3

Figure 4 presents the δD–δ¹⁸O relationships for shallow groundwater (<20 m). Distinct isotope signatures are observed across basins. While groundwater in the downstream area of the Heihe River shows signs of evaporation, other regions—such as the Maying and Beidagang Rivers—retain more depleted isotopic values, indicative of recent recharge and high-elevation sources. Some shallow wells, although geographically near the Heihe River, reflect recharge from adjacent systems such as the Maying River, as inferred from their δ¹⁸O signatures.

FIGURE 4

Intermediate-depth groundwater samples (20–150 m), displayed in Figure 5, show relatively uniform distributions aligned with the GMWL, suggesting recharge from precipitation. The isotope values of the North Mountain are significantly more negative than those from rivers originating in the Qilian Mountains, indicating that the North Mountain area receives recharge primarily from localized seasonal overland flow rather than southern mountain runoff.

FIGURE 5

Figure 6 shows that deep groundwater (150–300 m) follows similar patterns to those observed in shallower layers, though local heterogeneities remain. The isotopic similarity across depths in some regions suggests active vertical exchange or uniform recharge conditions.

FIGURE 6

As illustrated in Figures 5, 6, the distribution patterns of D and ¹⁸O isotope samples in the groundwater located at the front of North Mountain are markedly distinct from those in the Maying River Basin and Fengle River Basin. This suggests that the groundwater in this area is not sourced from the Maying River or Fengle River. Considering its geographical location and hydrogeological characteristics, it is hypothesized that the groundwater is primarily recharged by seasonal mountain floods originating from Beishan Mountain.

3.2 Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) isotope characteristics

Radiocarbon dating (¹⁴C) is a fundamental method for estimating groundwater residence time (Li et al., 2024; Meyzonnat et al., 2023; Zha and Mao, 2024). In this study, groundwater samples were collected from boreholes throughout the Jiuquan Basin. Some deep boreholes were equipped with multi-depth pumping installations, allowing for layered sampling and age comparison. The results show that, except for a few samples near the mainstream of the Heihe River (e.g., HQ30), most groundwater samples exhibit ages greater than 5,000 years (Table 2).

Figure 7 compares groundwater ages at different depths. The vertical age gradient is expressed as the relative difference between upper and lower sample ages in the same borehole. The analysis reveals that groundwater in the southern part of the basin tends to show minimal age differences between layers, indicating hydraulic connectivity and similar recharge periods. In contrast, the northern and northwestern parts (e.g., Maying, Fengle, and Duanshankou River basins) show significantly larger vertical age differences, suggesting hydraulic separation between aquifer layers and staggered recharge periods.

FIGURE 7

Figure 8 illustrates the spatial pattern of shallow groundwater ages relative to distance from the mountain or river outlet. Groundwater near the Heihe and Beidagang rivers exhibits younger ages, some less than 2,000 years, due to active recharge. In contrast, groundwater in the central and downstream parts of the Maying and Fengle River basins is considerably older (up to 30,000 years), reflecting limited recharge and slower flow. Some anomalies (e.g., HQ31 and HQ20 near the Yumu Mountain) reflect complex recharge dynamics likely influenced by groundwater inflow from the adjacent Zhangye Basin.

FIGURE 8

Figure 9 presents the deep groundwater age distribution. Similar spatial patterns emerge: ages increase along the groundwater flow path in most basins. An exception is observed at HQ82 in the North Mountain, where the deep groundwater age is younger than expected compared to other locations at similar distances. This anomaly may indicate a separate secondary groundwater flow system. If the HQ82 borehole is located in the downstream of the Fengle River, the age of the groundwater at HQ82 should be greater than that at HQ38 and HQ39. However, the actual situation is that the groundwater age at HQ82 is smaller. Considering that HQ82 is located at the foot of the Beishan Mountain, it can be inferred that HQ82 is in another groundwater flow system rather than the Fengle River groundwater flow system.

FIGURE 9

The groundwater age results indicate that along both sides of major rivers, such as the Heihe River and the Beida River, the groundwater tends to be younger. In contrast, the central and northern regions of the basin exhibit older groundwater, suggesting a longer average residence time.

In the areas adjacent to both sides of the Beida River and the Heihe River, the groundwater exhibits relatively young ages and rapid circulation rates, indicating a high degree of renewability. In the western Dunshankou River Basin and the eastern Gaotai area of the Jiuquan Basin, groundwater ages are generally less than 10,000 years, suggesting moderate renewability. In contrast, in the central and northern parts of the basin, groundwater ages are significantly older, reflecting limited renewability. However, extensive land reclamation and intensive agricultural activities are currently being carried out in these regions, with irrigation water primarily sourced from groundwater. These activities are currently disrupting the natural balance between groundwater recharge and discharge. Therefore, agricultural development in these areas should be regulated to mitigate adverse impacts on the groundwater system.

4 Discussion

4.1 Precipitation amount effect on isotopic signatures

The isotopic composition of groundwater across different parts of the Jiuquan Basin reveals a pattern that is inconsistent with the commonly expected altitude effect. Intermediate and deep groundwater samples from the North Mountain display significantly more negative δ¹⁸O values than those from the Qilian Mountain-sourced rivers such as the Heihe, Beidagang, Maying, and Hongshuiba. Given that Qilian Mountain is much higher in elevation than North Mountain, one would typically expect more depleted isotopes in the former’s recharge. However, the opposite trend observed here suggests that elevation alone does not govern isotopic variation in this arid region.

Instead, the observed differences are better attributed to the precipitation amount effect. Due to the strong temperature contrasts and large orographic lifting in the Qilian Mountains, the region experiences more intense and frequent precipitation. This leads to a larger fraction of heavy isotopes (¹⁸O and D) remaining in the condensed phase and falling as rain, thus enriching the isotopic signature. In contrast, the North Mountain area, being lower in elevation and much drier, generates less precipitation and thus has more depleted isotopic values in its limited groundwater recharge. This suggests that in arid inland basins, especially over distances of less than 100 km, the amount of precipitation and associated condensation dynamics play a more critical role in determining isotope values than elevation alone.

4.2 Local meteoric water line (LMWL) of the Jiuquan basin

To establish a regional isotopic baseline, δD and δ¹⁸O data from groundwater samples between 20 and 150 m deep were used to construct the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL). After excluding samples affected by evaporation, the least-squares regression yielded the equation: δD = 6.02 × δ¹⁸O- 2.5 (R² = 0.92) (Figure 10). This slope is slightly lower than that of the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL), which is consistent with evaporative enrichment typical of arid to semi-arid climates.

FIGURE 10

The fitted LMWL closely resembles that of the adjacent Zhangye Basin, where the LMWL slope is 6.76 (Li et al., 2015; Wu et al., 2011). The relatively low slope values in both basins suggest that meteoric precipitation undergoes substantial isotopic fractionation due to evaporation before or during infiltration. The similarity also implies that these regions share broadly comparable climatic influences, even if their recharge mechanisms differ. Overall, the Jiuquan LMWL provides an important reference for interpreting groundwater recharge processes, tracing moisture sources, and distinguishing between evaporative and non-evaporative influences in isotopic datasets.

4.3 Spatial zonation of secondary groundwater flow systems

The spatial distribution of δ¹⁸O and δD values, in combination with groundwater dating results and regional geomorphic patterns, enables the delineation of several secondary groundwater flow systems within the Jiuquan Basin. These systems are not only spatially distinct but also hydrogeologically and isotopically unique, reflecting varying recharge sources, residence times, and flow dynamics. The North Mountain system, for example, is characterized by significantly depleted isotopic signatures and relatively young groundwater ages, such as those recorded at HQ82. These traits indicate localized recharge from seasonal runoff rather than distant river systems, confirming it as a separate hydrological entity.

In contrast, the downstream area of the Heihe River includes wells such as HQ29 and HHQ027 that, despite being geographically close to the Heihe channel, share isotope characteristics with the Maying River system. This suggests that local topography and aquifer structure cause the Maying River to dominate recharge in this zone. Similarly, the Yumu Mountain area appears to be influenced by groundwater inflow from the Zhangye Basin rather than by adjacent Jiuquan sources. Its isotopic and stratigraphic features are distinct enough to justify independent classification.

Though some basins such as the Maying and Fengle Rivers are geographically adjacent, differences in isotope profiles and groundwater age gradients reveal separate hydrogeological systems. Even the Duanshankou and Beidagang Rivers, which share similar topographic positions and climate conditions, differ markedly in groundwater residence times and recharge characteristics. These findings highlight the complex and compartmentalized nature of groundwater movement in the basin and emphasize the importance of combining isotopic, chronological, and hydrogeological data to accurately map groundwater systems. The delineation of SGFS enhances the understanding of hydrogeological conditions across different parts of the basin, thereby providing a certain degree of guidance for the sustainable management of groundwater development and ecological conservation.

As shown in Figure 11, the delineation of secondary groundwater flow systems has significantly improved the understanding of recharge and discharge mechanisms within the basin. The Beida River SGFS and the Heihe River SGFS are primarily recharged through channel leakage at the mountain outlets and subsequently flow downstream into the Jinta Basin and Dingxin Valley. The Hongshuba-Hongshan River SGFS, Fengle River SGFS, Maying-Bailang River SGFS mainly receives recharge from river water originating in the southern Qilian Mountains and is predominantly discharged through evaporation and anthropogenic extraction. The Yumu Mountain SGFS also receives recharge from the southern Qilian Mountains but discharges into adjacent groundwater flow systems. The North Mountain SGFS is primarily recharged by seasonal mountain floods from North Mountain and is mainly discharged through evaporation and human exploitation. The Duanshankou River SGFS is recharged by surface water from Beishan and predominantly discharges into the Beida River SGFS.

FIGURE 11

The delineation of groundwater flow systems primarily utilized stable isotopes and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating. In regions adjacent to major rivers, such as the Beida River and the Heihe River, the classification of groundwater flow systems—namely the Beida River SGFS and Heihe River SGFS—was based on the relatively younger groundwater ages observed in these areas. However, this classification has certain limitations, mainly due to the limited number of available samples, which hinders the precise determination of boundaries between the two systems. Similarly, for the North Mountain SGFS, its existence was inferred from the younger groundwater age detected at the HQ82 borehole, suggesting that it is distinct from the Fengle River and Maying River systems. Nevertheless, due to insufficient sampling, the boundary of the Beishan system remains speculative rather than definitively established. Although the boundaries of these three SGFS may not be entirely accurate, the overall classification still enables the differentiation of distinct flow systems and provides a methodological reference for future theoretical studies.

5 Conclusion

This study systematically investigated the groundwater circulation patterns in the Jiuquan Basin using hydrogeological surveys, stable isotope analysis (δD and δ¹⁸O), and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating. The results confirm that precipitation is the dominant source of groundwater recharge in the basin. Isotopic values exhibit distinct horizontal zonation, reflecting spatial variability in recharge origins. A pronounced precipitation amount effect was observed: groundwater recharged by the Qilian Mountains shows more enriched isotopic signatures than that recharged by the lower North Mountains. A Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) was derived from groundwater isotopes (δD = 6.02 × δ¹⁸O- 2.5, R² = 0.92), which provides a critical isotopic baseline for hydrological interpretation in this arid region. Radiocarbon dating revealed that most groundwater has residence times exceeding 5,000 years, with significantly younger ages near active river channels (e.g., the Heihe and Beidagang Rivers) due to river–aquifer interactions. In contrast, central and terminal areas of the basin exhibit older groundwater, indicating slower flow and limited recharge. Based on combined isotope and age data, the basin was hydrologically partitioned into several secondary groundwater flow systems associated with different rivers and geomorphic units, including those of the Beidagang River, North Mountain, Maying River, Fengle River, Hongshuiba, Duanshankou, and Yumu Mountain.

These findings not only deepen the understanding of groundwater recharge and flow mechanisms in an arid inland basin but also provide a scientific basis for regional water resource management and ecological protection. The delineation of multiple secondary flow systems underscores the complex hydrogeological framework and highlights the necessity of localized groundwater evaluation and planning. Moreover, the observed patterns of groundwater age and isotopic signatures offer new insights into recharge timing, flow paths, and hydraulic connectivity across the basin. Future studies should focus on coupling isotope tracing with numerical groundwater flow modeling to simulate spatiotemporal changes under scenarios of climate change and anthropogenic extraction. Expanding monitoring networks and integrating geophysical data may further enhance the precision of groundwater resource assessments, supporting sustainable development in the Hexi Corridor and broader arid regions of northwestern China.

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