Hydrochemical Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Lakes in Hoh Xil

A significant desalination and expansion of lakes in Qinghai Hoh Xil since the 1980s have been linked to climate change, with precipitation and evaporation identified as dominant factors. The study analyzed hydrochemical data from 2020, revealing that 14 lakes in the region include brackish-water, salt, salt-water, and freshwater types, primarily controlled by water-rock reactions and evaporation. Major ions follow a distinct abundance pattern (Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Ca2+; Cl– > SO42– > HCO3– > CO32–), with hydrochemical composition dominated by Cl-Na types except for one freshwater lake. These findings underscore the critical role of climate in shaping inland lake evolution on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

LI, X., XU, J., HAN, W., & HAN, J. (2024). Hydrochemical Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Lakes in Hoh Xil. Earth and Environment. https://doi.org/10.3724/ee.1672-9250.2024.52.056