Water Environmental Characteristics and Eutrophication Evaluation of Alpine Karst Mountains in Huanglong, Sichuan, China

A medium eutrophication state has been identified in the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area threatening travertine deposition and its ecological value. The study analyzed 14 water samples from surface and groundwater sources using mathematical statistics, Piper diagrams, and Gibbs and Gaillardet models to assess hydrochemical types, components, and pollution characteristics. Findings revealed that the area's water is weakly alkaline, dominated by Ca²⁺ cations and HCO₃⁻ anions, with travertine formation primarily controlled by carbonate rock weathering. The research highlights significant spatial and temporal variations in nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon levels, underscoring the need for targeted management to mitigate eutrophication impacts on this unique alpine karst landscape.

Gao, W., Zhang, J., Sun, D., Zhang, W., Wang, S., Guo, J., Xu, H., Zhao, S., Zeng, Y., & Liu, X. (2023). Water Environmental Characteristics and Eutrophication Evaluation of Alpine Karst Mountains in Huanglong, Sichuan, China. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 7(5), 1083–1096. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00015