Analysis of groundwater–lake interaction by distributed temperature sensing in Badain Jaran Desert, Northwest China

Groundwater discharge is the dominant factor shaping temperature patterns in Badain Lake, the second-largest desert in China. Using distributed temperature sensing, researchers identified cold anomalies near the eastern and southeastern lakeshore, indicating groundwater inflow, while a weaker signal from the northwestern shore suggests localized precipitation channeled by sand dunes contributes minimally compared to regional groundwater. This study provides the first direct evidence of groundwater–lake interactions in this unique desert ecosystem, advancing understanding of its hydrological dynamics.

Liu, C., Liu, J., Wang, X.-S., & Zheng, C. (2015). Analysis of groundwater–lake interaction by distributed temperature sensing in Badain Jaran Desert, Northwest China. Hydrological Processes, 30(9), 1330–1341. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10705