Analysis of the Hydrochemical Characteristics and Genesis of Bosten Lake, China

Abstract

The hydrogeochemical evolution of Bosten Lake has an important impact on the lake’s ecology and water environment. Kriging interpolation, principal component analysis and Piper and Gibbs charts were used to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics and genesis of Bosten Lake in summer and autumn. The following are the main conclusions: (1) In summer and autumn, the hydrochemistry of the lake follows the order of SO42− > Cl− > HCO3− > Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+. (2) The concentrations of TDS, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, Cl− and HCO3− in Bosten Lake increased significantly in autumn. Ion concentrations in most of the Little Lake District were higher than those in the Great Lake District. (3) In summer, ion correlation was strong, the evaporation effect was strong and the TDS contribution rate was high. Evaporation was weak in autumn, and Mg2+ and Ca2+ contributed more. (4) The hydrochemical type (SO4·Cl-Na·Mg) was the same in both seasons; in summer, the Great and Little lakes were mainly characterized by evaporation and crystallization; in autumn, evaporation crystallization was dominant in the Great lake. (5) The ions mainly came from the dissolution of gypsum, salt rock, calcite, etc. Cationic alternating adsorption occurred in summer.