Using stable isotopes and tritium to delineate groundwater flow systems and their relationship to streams in the Geum River basin, Korea

Youn Young Jung; Dong Chan Koh; Yoon Yeol Yoon; Hong Il Kwon; Joonghyeok Heo; Kyoochul Ha; Seong Taek Yun

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.084

Using stable isotopes and tritium to delineate groundwater flow systems and their relationship to streams in the Geum River basin, Korea

Youn Young Jung, Dong Chan Koh, Yoon Yeol Yoon, Hong Il Kwon, Joonghyeok Heo, Kyoochul Ha, Seong Taek Yun

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aims to clarify groundwater and stream water flow systems in the Geum River basin, Korea, which is an area with a crystalline basement using δ ¹⁸ O, δ ² H, and ³ H. Stable isotopes of precipitation showed clear differences between dry and rainy seasons due to the Asian monsoon. Groundwater and stream water samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons in three hydrographic zones of the upper, middle, and lower zones. The contribution of rainy season precipitation to groundwater recharge based on deuterium excess was 71–89%, far exceeding the amount fraction of the season in total precipitation. Stable isotopic compositions of groundwater and stream water showed little seasonal variation, and indicated the dominance of high-altitude recharge in the upper zone. Groundwater with lower ³ H was mainly observed in that area, indicating a contribution of intermediate flow with a longer residence time. In contrast, stream water and some groundwater samples in the lower zone showed seasonal variability and signatures of 10–20% evaporation in their stable isotopic composition. The ³ H content of groundwater in the lower zone was high, indicating that the local flow system is dominant. These regional features also influenced the relative contributions of rainy season precipitation, dry season precipitation, and local recharge with evaporation signature, as estimated from δ ¹⁸ O and deuterium excess values, and ³ H in groundwater. Stream water from lower-order streams of the river had stable isotopic compositions similar to those in the upper zone, indicating a considerable contribution of groundwater discharge in the mountainous areas to the lower reach of the river. These results have implications for sustainable management of water resources in the basin during predicted changes in water usage and precipitation patterns due to climate change, as well as in regions with similar climatic and hydrologic conditions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	267-280
Number of pages	14
Journal	Journal of Hydrology
Volume	573
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.084
Publication status	Published - 2019 Jun

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Basic Research Project (18-3411) of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. We thank researchers in Groundwater research center of KIGAM for collection of water samples and K-water for permission of access to the wells of the national groundwater monitoring network. Fernando A. L. Pacheco and Se-Yeong Hamm are also thanked for their thoughtful and constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

Crystalline bedrock aquifer
Groundwater age
Mountain recharge
Recharge source
Stream–aquifer interaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Water Science and Technology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.084

Cite this

@article{99e5f39355d34ddab96a13f8d986925e,

title = "Using stable isotopes and tritium to delineate groundwater flow systems and their relationship to streams in the Geum River basin, Korea",

abstract = " This study aims to clarify groundwater and stream water flow systems in the Geum River basin, Korea, which is an area with a crystalline basement using δ 18 O, δ 2 H, and 3 H. Stable isotopes of precipitation showed clear differences between dry and rainy seasons due to the Asian monsoon. Groundwater and stream water samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons in three hydrographic zones of the upper, middle, and lower zones. The contribution of rainy season precipitation to groundwater recharge based on deuterium excess was 71–89%, far exceeding the amount fraction of the season in total precipitation. Stable isotopic compositions of groundwater and stream water showed little seasonal variation, and indicated the dominance of high-altitude recharge in the upper zone. Groundwater with lower 3 H was mainly observed in that area, indicating a contribution of intermediate flow with a longer residence time. In contrast, stream water and some groundwater samples in the lower zone showed seasonal variability and signatures of 10–20% evaporation in their stable isotopic composition. The 3 H content of groundwater in the lower zone was high, indicating that the local flow system is dominant. These regional features also influenced the relative contributions of rainy season precipitation, dry season precipitation, and local recharge with evaporation signature, as estimated from δ 18 O and deuterium excess values, and 3 H in groundwater. Stream water from lower-order streams of the river had stable isotopic compositions similar to those in the upper zone, indicating a considerable contribution of groundwater discharge in the mountainous areas to the lower reach of the river. These results have implications for sustainable management of water resources in the basin during predicted changes in water usage and precipitation patterns due to climate change, as well as in regions with similar climatic and hydrologic conditions. ",

keywords = "Crystalline bedrock aquifer, Groundwater age, Mountain recharge, Recharge source, Stream–aquifer interaction",

author = "Jung, {Youn Young} and Koh, {Dong Chan} and Yoon, {Yoon Yeol} and Kwon, {Hong Il} and Joonghyeok Heo and Kyoochul Ha and Yun, {Seong Taek}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Basic Research Project (18-3411) of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. We thank researchers in Groundwater research center of KIGAM for collection of water samples and K-water for permission of access to the wells of the national groundwater monitoring network. Fernando A. L. Pacheco and Se-Yeong Hamm are also thanked for their thoughtful and constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 Elsevier B.V.",

year = "2019",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.084",

language = "English",

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journal = "Journal of Hydrology",

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AU - Jung, Youn Young

AU - Koh, Dong Chan

AU - Yoon, Yoon Yeol

AU - Kwon, Hong Il

AU - Heo, Joonghyeok

AU - Ha, Kyoochul

AU - Yun, Seong Taek

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the Basic Research Project (18-3411) of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. We thank researchers in Groundwater research center of KIGAM for collection of water samples and K-water for permission of access to the wells of the national groundwater monitoring network. Fernando A. L. Pacheco and Se-Yeong Hamm are also thanked for their thoughtful and constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper. Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2019/6

Y1 - 2019/6

N2 - This study aims to clarify groundwater and stream water flow systems in the Geum River basin, Korea, which is an area with a crystalline basement using δ 18 O, δ 2 H, and 3 H. Stable isotopes of precipitation showed clear differences between dry and rainy seasons due to the Asian monsoon. Groundwater and stream water samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons in three hydrographic zones of the upper, middle, and lower zones. The contribution of rainy season precipitation to groundwater recharge based on deuterium excess was 71–89%, far exceeding the amount fraction of the season in total precipitation. Stable isotopic compositions of groundwater and stream water showed little seasonal variation, and indicated the dominance of high-altitude recharge in the upper zone. Groundwater with lower 3 H was mainly observed in that area, indicating a contribution of intermediate flow with a longer residence time. In contrast, stream water and some groundwater samples in the lower zone showed seasonal variability and signatures of 10–20% evaporation in their stable isotopic composition. The 3 H content of groundwater in the lower zone was high, indicating that the local flow system is dominant. These regional features also influenced the relative contributions of rainy season precipitation, dry season precipitation, and local recharge with evaporation signature, as estimated from δ 18 O and deuterium excess values, and 3 H in groundwater. Stream water from lower-order streams of the river had stable isotopic compositions similar to those in the upper zone, indicating a considerable contribution of groundwater discharge in the mountainous areas to the lower reach of the river. These results have implications for sustainable management of water resources in the basin during predicted changes in water usage and precipitation patterns due to climate change, as well as in regions with similar climatic and hydrologic conditions.

AB - This study aims to clarify groundwater and stream water flow systems in the Geum River basin, Korea, which is an area with a crystalline basement using δ 18 O, δ 2 H, and 3 H. Stable isotopes of precipitation showed clear differences between dry and rainy seasons due to the Asian monsoon. Groundwater and stream water samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons in three hydrographic zones of the upper, middle, and lower zones. The contribution of rainy season precipitation to groundwater recharge based on deuterium excess was 71–89%, far exceeding the amount fraction of the season in total precipitation. Stable isotopic compositions of groundwater and stream water showed little seasonal variation, and indicated the dominance of high-altitude recharge in the upper zone. Groundwater with lower 3 H was mainly observed in that area, indicating a contribution of intermediate flow with a longer residence time. In contrast, stream water and some groundwater samples in the lower zone showed seasonal variability and signatures of 10–20% evaporation in their stable isotopic composition. The 3 H content of groundwater in the lower zone was high, indicating that the local flow system is dominant. These regional features also influenced the relative contributions of rainy season precipitation, dry season precipitation, and local recharge with evaporation signature, as estimated from δ 18 O and deuterium excess values, and 3 H in groundwater. Stream water from lower-order streams of the river had stable isotopic compositions similar to those in the upper zone, indicating a considerable contribution of groundwater discharge in the mountainous areas to the lower reach of the river. These results have implications for sustainable management of water resources in the basin during predicted changes in water usage and precipitation patterns due to climate change, as well as in regions with similar climatic and hydrologic conditions.

KW - Crystalline bedrock aquifer

KW - Groundwater age

KW - Mountain recharge

KW - Recharge source

KW - Stream–aquifer interaction

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DO - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.084

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85063520464

SN - 0022-1694

VL - 573

SP - 267

EP - 280

JO - Journal of Hydrology

JF - Journal of Hydrology

ER -

Using stable isotopes and tritium to delineate groundwater flow systems and their relationship to streams in the Geum River basin, Korea

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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