干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

A typical megadune in the hinterland of Badain Jaran Desert has been monitored from 2013 to 2014. Six soil profiles have been analyzed for the recharge source and movement mechanism combined with Cl- concentration and stable isotopes. The analysis results show that local precipitation is the main recharge source of the soil water while shallow groundwater only influences the soil water which interfaces groundwater table. The recharge rates are calculated by chloride mass balance method for one hydrological year. The high recharge rates also reflect the significance of local precipitation for recharging soil water at the Nuoertu area in this desert. The variation characteristics of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of soil profiles suggest that the piston-type flow should be the primary mode in the Nuoertu area. This approach is applicable to analyzing soil water characteristics of unsaturated zone in similar arid desert areas around the world.