Groundwater dynamic influenced by intense anthropogenic activities in a dried-up river oasis of Central Asia

Abstract Intense anthropogenic activities in arid areas have great impacts on groundwater process by causing river dried-up and phreatic decline. Groundwater recharge discharge become hot spot the oases of regions, but are not well known, challenging water ecological security. This study applied a stable isotope end-member mixing analysis method to quantify shallow sources interpret processes using data from 186 samples Wei-Ku Oasis central Asia. Results showed that (well depth < 20 m) was mainly supplied surface lateral flow upstream, accounting for 88 12%, respectively, implying dominant source. Stable isotopes TDS obviously spatiotemporal dynamic. Shallow increased northwest southeast, while spatial variation trend δ18O obvious. Surface non-flood season had higher values than those flood season. Anthropogenic greatly affect dynamics, where land-cover change overexploitation main driving factors. The findings would be useful further understanding cycling, help restore level desert ecosystem region.