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<p>The current understanding of inorganic solute transport, hydrochemical mechanisms, and water quality status in the surface waters of the Yellow River headwaters (HWYR) remains limited. This study investigated the spatial variation, formation mechanisms, and hydrochemical ion sources while assessing surface water quality. The results indicate that HWYR surface waters are weakly alkaline (pH: 8.30–8.51) and fresh (total dissolved solids (TDS): 308–397&#xa0;mg/L; mineralization: 296–378&#xa0;mg/L; total hardness (TH): 200–233&#xa0;mg/L). The Ngoring Lake exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity in hydrochemical parameters. The confluence of the Gyaring Lake and Duoqu River showed peak Ca<sup>2+</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>, total phosphorus, and TH, while the mainstem Yellow River had the highest TDS and mineralization. Riverine total nitrogen and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> exceeded lake concentrations, indicating nitrogen cycling significantly drives hydrochemical processes. HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> dominated anions (&gt;40%), peaking in Requ River (66.52%). Water chemistry types were Na(K)-HCO<sub>3</sub>(CO<sub>3</sub>) throughout, except Requ River (Ca-HCO<sub>3</sub>(CO<sub>3</sub>)). Rock weathering governed ion variation, with dissolution dominance ordered as: carbonate &gt; evaporite &gt; silicate rocks. The water quality classifications were: Gyaring Lake (grade II), Requ River and Yellow River mainstem (grade III), Ngoring Lake (grade IV). All samples showed “excellent” (entropy-weighted water quality index &lt; 50) status, meeting drinking standards, with no heavy metal contamination (trace metal pollution index: 0–1). This work advances understanding of the HWYR hydrogeochemical processes and provides foundational data for ecological protection on the Tibetan Plateau.</p>

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Spatial Variation and Potential Sources of Inorganic Dissolved Substances in the Headwaters of the Yellow River

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月4日

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  • Nana Bai,
  • Ruotong Wang,
  • Aili Sun,
  • Zhongbo Yu,
  • Yi Li,
  • Lei Wu,
  • Li Li,
  • Ning Qiu,
  • Shubing Dai,
  • Jian Zhou

摘要

The current understanding of inorganic solute transport, hydrochemical mechanisms, and water quality status in the surface waters of the Yellow River headwaters (HWYR) remains limited. This study investigated the spatial variation, formation mechanisms, and hydrochemical ion sources while assessing surface water quality. The results indicate that HWYR surface waters are weakly alkaline (pH: 8.30–8.51) and fresh (total dissolved solids (TDS): 308–397 mg/L; mineralization: 296–378 mg/L; total hardness (TH): 200–233 mg/L). The Ngoring Lake exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity in hydrochemical parameters. The confluence of the Gyaring Lake and Duoqu River showed peak Ca2+, SO42−, total phosphorus, and TH, while the mainstem Yellow River had the highest TDS and mineralization. Riverine total nitrogen and NO3− exceeded lake concentrations, indicating nitrogen cycling significantly drives hydrochemical processes. HCO3− dominated anions (>40%), peaking in Requ River (66.52%). Water chemistry types were Na(K)-HCO3(CO3) throughout, except Requ River (Ca-HCO3(CO3)). Rock weathering governed ion variation, with dissolution dominance ordered as: carbonate > evaporite > silicate rocks. The water quality classifications were: Gyaring Lake (grade II), Requ River and Yellow River mainstem (grade III), Ngoring Lake (grade IV). All samples showed “excellent” (entropy-weighted water quality index < 50) status, meeting drinking standards, with no heavy metal contamination (trace metal pollution index: 0–1). This work advances understanding of the HWYR hydrogeochemical processes and provides foundational data for ecological protection on the Tibetan Plateau.