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

研究水在流域中的循环对于提高我们预测人类活动(如城市和农业用地、气候变化)对淡水资源的影响的能力至关重要。在区域范围内，前寒武纪屏蔽湖正在显示出越来越多的有害藻类水华(HAB)，营养输入(例如磷)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的影响的主要工具，但它们的使用存在很大的不确定性。水循环研究可以对水如何储存和释放到我们的水道产生重要的见解，从而改进这些模型。最近的技术降低了成本，提高了分析水和蒸汽样本中水分子的氧和氢同位素的能力。自然产生的水同位素比率可以区分径流中的水源混合物(如融雪、地下水)和蒸发的影响，这为与流域管理和决策有关的尺度上的重要水文过程提供了新的证据。

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.