Stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) and chemical characteristics of soil solution in the unsaturated zone of an arid desert

In this study, the 2H and 18O isotopes of soil water and chemical composition of soil solution was analyzed for six typical soil profiles in the Badain Jaran Desert. Our results showed that the degree of the evaporation effect increased gradually from the southern to the northern of this desert. Local precipitation was the main recharge source for the soil water, deep soil water should be originated from the mixture of the heavy precipitation and shallow soil water. Recharge source and chemical weathering were the two major mechanisms to control the ion concentrations of the soil solution in this desert.