Palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Badain Jaran Desert hinterland during the Early to Middle Holocene: A multi-proxy reconstruction on Taoerlegetu paleolake, northwest China

Lu, Chunmei; Wang, Nai'’ang; Zhang, Lvlv; Li, Zhuolun; Zhao, Wenwei; Li, Meng; Su, Xianbao; Wang, Yixin

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111359

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…(over 150 km away). 1,19,21 Contrary to traditional theory, they argued that the area's groundwater may be replenished from other basins. In this study, eight excavation sites were selected in the southern part of the BJD according to Chen's hypothesis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In previous studies, tritium was measured in groundwater samples from the BJD, indicating modern precipitation recharge. , Based on a stable isotope analysis, Chen et al suggested that the groundwater of the BJD is replenished by water from the Qilian Mts. (over 150 km away). ,, Contrary to traditional theory, they argued that the area’s groundwater may be replenished from other basins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Basalt and Dune: Critical Factors in Desert Water Resource Development

Wang,

Chen,

Chen

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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Deserts are distributed in arid areas, and groundwater is the primary source of drinking water and agricultural irrigation for the residents. However, owing to an insufficient understanding of desert groundwater sources, water management policies in arid areas often fail to meet actual water demands. The Badain Jaran Desert is a typical desert with abundant groundwater. However, local economic development has been severely limited due to water resource shortages. To address this challenge, in this study, an integrated approach was utilized to perform a groundwater exploration of the study area. Evidence from δ 2 H and δ 18 O and tracer logging tests in different interdune basins suggests that the desert's groundwater originates from the Qilian Mountains through rapid cross-basin flow and then upwells from hidden volcanic craters in the desert. The deep channels likely comprise contraction joints formed by cooling of the overlying rocks during magmatic diagenesis. Several deserts worldwide receive external recharge from plateaus or mountains rather than from "fossil" water. The initial characteristics of low 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values, which were less than 0.7065, changed with the retention time of groundwater in the aquifer. We conclude that desert groundwater resources have abundant recharge and can meet water demands under a reasonable development approach.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Basalt and Dune: Critical Factors in Desert Water Resource Development

Wang,

Chen,

Chen

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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Rapid recovery of desert shrubs is attributed to imbalance of water supply to demand after disturbance in Northwest China

Zhou,

Feng,

et al. 2024

Ecol Process

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Background Disturbance is a key driver of changes in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in water limited regions. In the desert ecosystem of Northwest China, shrubs are often foraged by camels and this causes the shrubs lost their aboveground tissues. Although the aboveground tissue could recover after the disturbance, the mechanisms of resprouts’ recovery after the disturbance are still poorly understood. We investigated the morphological and physiological characteristics and root water uptake sources of resprouts and non-disturbed seedlings of four desert shrub species that were often foraged by camels. Results The results showed that the resprouts grew rapidly after the removal of aboveground tissue. The height and aboveground biomass of resprouts reached the level of 5-year-old seedlings following a growing season. Compared to un-disturbed seedlings, higher leaf water potential, leaf hydraulic conductance and photosynthesis rate were observed in resprouts, indicating that resprouts grew rapidly after disturbance. Furthermore, we found that the root water uptake source did not change after disturbance. This indicated that the roots of resprouts kept intact water uptake capacity after disturbance, which could keep supplying sufficient water to the aboveground tissue. Due to the removal of aboveground tissue of the resprouts, the water demand of aboveground tissue decreased, which induced an imbalance of water supply from roots to demand of aboveground tissues of resprouts. This explained the improved physiological performance and rapid recovery of resprouts after disturbance. Conclusions The imbalance of water supply to demand contributes to the rapid recovery of desert shrubs after disturbance. The findings provide insight into the eco-physiological mechanism for the maintenance of desert ecosystems that are facing disturbance.

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Geochemical Indicators on the Central Tibetan Plateau Lake Sediments: Historical Climate Change and Regional Sustainability

Ma,

Wang,

Gao

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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This study investigates geochemical indicators (TOC, TN, C/N, δ13Corg, δ15N, and pollen indicators) from sediment samples of Zigetang Co Lake on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) to explore past climate changes in the lake basin. The findings aim to provide essential data for developing sustainable strategies for the TP region. From 14.0 to 10.8 cal. ka BP, the δ15N, TOC, TN, and δ13Corg value of the lake sediments was relatively low; this indicated a low organic matter input into the lake, reflecting a probably cold and arid environment. In addition, the pollen was primarily composed of Artemisia and Gramineae, which are adapted to cold environments, further confirming that the climate during this period was likely cold and dry. From 10.8 to 8.2 cal. ka BP, the changes in the main plant composition were likely due to increased solar radiation, the onset of the monsoon, and higher temperatures and precipitation, which created more favorable conditions for the growth of Cyperaceae. From 8.2 to 4.2 cal. ka BP, when the solar radiation weakened and the monsoon diminished, the basin maintained relatively high water levels, with regional precipitation being likely influenced by westerly winds. From 4.2 to 0.01 cal. ka BP, δ13Corg and δ15N initially decreased and then increased, which was likely a transition from a cold–wet climate to warm–dry conditions during the late Holocene, and the Pollen sum also showed significant changes. Understanding climate evolution and vegetation changes is crucial for formulating timely policies to ensure regional sustainable development.

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Palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Badain Jaran Desert hinterland during the Early to Middle Holocene: A multi-proxy reconstruction on Taoerlegetu paleolake, northwest China

Cited by 3 publications

References 77 publications

Basalt and Dune: Critical Factors in Desert Water Resource Development

Basalt and Dune: Critical Factors in Desert Water Resource Development

Rapid recovery of desert shrubs is attributed to imbalance of water supply to demand after disturbance in Northwest China

Geochemical Indicators on the Central Tibetan Plateau Lake Sediments: Historical Climate Change and Regional Sustainability

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