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Journal of Earth Science  > 2025  > Corrected proof
Huaisong Ji, Mingming Luo, Xinyang Fan, Chen Chen, Huaishui Yang, Kun Huang, Junwei Wan, Shiyi Wei, Heng Zhao. High-frequency magnesium anomalies reveal structural controls on water cycle and runoff variations in karst systems. Journal of Earth Science. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0306-2
Citation: Huaisong Ji, Mingming Luo, Xinyang Fan, Chen Chen, Huaishui Yang, Kun Huang, Junwei Wan, Shiyi Wei, Heng Zhao. High-frequency magnesium anomalies reveal structural controls on water cycle and runoff variations in karst systems. Journal of Earth Science. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0306-2
shu

High-frequency magnesium anomalies reveal structural controls on water cycle and runoff variations in karst systems

doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0306-2

  • a School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430078, China

  • b GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 5, Erlangen, 91054, Germany

  • c Institute of Geography & Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, 3012, Switzerland

  • d Changjiang Survey Institute of MWR，Wuhan，Hubei 430014，China

Funds:

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42172276) and funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) (Grant No. 202406410079).

  • Available Online: 25 Aug 2025
    Abstract
  • Understanding the mechanisms of dynamic responses of karst aquifers is challenging and crucial for sustainable groundwater management. This study innovatively establishes a hydrogeochemical tracing framework based on Mg2+ ion anomalies in a dolomite-limestone interbedded karst system. By analyzing sediment geochemistry, along with statistical analysis and high-frequency discharge and water quality data, results show that the Mg2+/Ca2+ molar ratio of water bodies significantly depends on lithology. The ratio in groundwater from dolomite areas is notably higher than that from limestone. Mg content in epikarst and soil in dolomite regions is also around three times higher. The underground river features low Mg2+ and high Ca2+ concentrations under low flow conduit, but storm events abruptly raise Mg2+ levels, turbidity, and discharge. This contradicts the traditional dilution paradigm and supports a dual-domain recharge model characterized by vertical epikarst infiltration and lateral flow within the vadose zone. Stormflow mobilizes Mg2+-rich water from dolomite epikarst and transports it via preferential pathways. Hydrograph separation reveals that stormflow through dolomite contributes up to 36% of total discharge. These findings highlight the regulatory role of lithological heterogeneity in karst hydrodynamics. The Mg2+-based tracing approach proposed here offers a sensitive natural indicator for storm-induced recharge and solute transport in complex karst systems.

     

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