Stable Water Isotope Study of a Mesoscale Precambrian Shield Basin for Improved Model Predictions of Water Quantity and Quality

通过我们的流域水循环的研究是至关重要的，以提高我们的能力，预测人类活动（如城市和农业土地利用，气候变化）对淡水资源的影响。在区域范围内，前寒武纪盾湖显示出越来越多的有害藻类水华（HABs），营养物质输入（如磷）和气候条件可能是促成因素。计算机模型是帮助预测未来对水资源影响的主要工具，但其使用具有很大的不确定性。水循环研究可以产生重要的见解，了解水是如何储存和释放到我们的水道，改善这些模型。最近的技术降低了成本，提高了分析水和蒸汽样品中水分子的氧和氢同位素的能力。天然水同位素的比值可以区分径流中水源的混合（如融雪，地下水）和蒸发的影响，这提供了重要的水文过程在相关的流域管理和决策尺度的新证据。

The study of the cycling of water through our watersheds is critical to improve our ability to predict the impact of human activities (e.g. urban and agricultural landuse, climate change) on freshwater resources. Regionally, Precambrian shield lakes are showing an increasing number of harmful algae blooms (HABs) with nutrient inputs (e.g phosphorus) and climate conditions likely contributing factors. Computer models are primary tools that help predict future impacts on water resources but their use comes with large uncertainties. Water cycling studies can generate important insights into how water is stored and released to our waterways, improving these models. Recent technology has reduced the cost and improved the ability to analyze water and vapor samples for isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen of the water molecule. Ratios of naturally occurring water isotopes can distinguish the mixture of water sources in streamflow (e.g. snowmelt, groundwater) and the influence of evaporation which provides new evidence of important hydrological processes at scales relevant to watershed management and decision making.