Isotope Analysis on the Recharge Source of the Leakage Water behind the Right Dam of Suzhi Hydroelectric Station

Abstract

In order to find out the recharge source of the leakage water that appears behind the right dam of Suzhi hydroelectric station located in Qinghai province of China, water samples of the leakage water, groundwater in the seepage observation wells, reservoir water and local precipitation are taken for isotopic composition analysis. Stable isotopes of the leakage water behind the dam have significant differences with local precipitation, indicating that the leakage water should not be recharged by precipitation. Isotopes of water in the seepage observation wells and reservoir water scatter around the same evaporation line, which implies that well water comes from reservoir water recharge. Leakage water behind the dam probably originates from the leakage of reservoir water as the stable isotopes of leakage water approximate those of well water and reservoir water.