Spatiotemporal characteristics of arsenic and lead with seasonal freeze-thaw cycles in the source area of the Yellow River Tibet Plateau, China

• Published in: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
• Main Authors: Congrong Yu, Kun Hua, Ching-Sheng Huang, Huijun Jin, Yufeng Sun, Zhongbo Yu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2022
• Subjects: Arsenic; Influencing factors; Lead; Permafrost thawing; Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau; Physical geography; GB3-5030; Geology; QE1-996.5; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101210; https://doaj.org/article/15d0d28c81604fa58faad53d99a97f67

Study region: The source region of the Yellow River, China (SAYR) Study focus: This study focuses on demonstrating the impact of seasonal freeze-thaw process on the seasonally arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentration in the water bodies, such as river, lake, and spring. 113 surface water samples in April (freeze permafrost), 164 in July (active layer in permafrost thawed), and 86 soil samples at various depths in July were collected. Statistical correlation and principle analysis were applied to find the connection between tracer metals in water bodies and the various environmental factors. The percentage of soil particle size (5–50 µm), which can reflect the intensity of the freeze-thaw process in the permafrost soil, influenced the soil and water As and Pb trace metal concentrations differently in the permafrost area. New hydrological insights for the region: In April, the average As concentrations were 23.4 ± 16.7, 39.4 ± 32.6, 26.5 ± 24.4 μg/L, respectively in river, lake and spring water samples, and Pb concentrations were 34.9 ± 27.1, 47.4 ± 38 and 48.9 ± 33.4 μg/L. While the As concentrations in waters in July all decreased by 2 or 3 times compared with those in April, Pb concentrations slightly increased. Permafrost thawing enhanced the weathering of As and Pb, but the high As adsorption on fine soil particles, resulting from the seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, leaded to the significant decrease in the water As concentration in July, in addition to the rainfall dilution. The slight increase in Pb water concentration in July suggesting the effects of enhanced weathering and dilution were equally important. The higher As and Pb concentrations around the large Gyaring and Ngoring lakes than other SAYR area, shaping the spatial distribution of As and Pb, might be due to evaporative enrichment and the high phosphate content in the lakes. Results are helpful in assessing the ecological impact of trace metals in the permafrost area with climate change.