Abstract:
An investigation using environmental isotopes
(δ18O and δD) was conducted to gain insight into the
hydrological processes of the Ganga Alluvial Plain, northern
India. River-water, shallow-groundwater and lake-water
samples from the Gomati River Basin were analyzed.
During the winter season, the δ18O and δD compositions of
the Gomati River water ranged from −1.67 to −7.62‰
and −25.08 to −61.50‰, respectively. Deuterium excess
values in the river water (+0.3 to −13‰) and the lake water
(−20‰) indicate the significance of evaporation processes.
Monthly variation of δ18O and δD values of the Gomati River
water and the shallow groundwater follows a similar trend,
with isotope-depleted peaks for δ18O and δD synchronized
during the monsoon season. The isotopically depleted peak
values of the river water (δ18O0−8.30‰and δD0−57.10‰)
can be used as a proxy record for the isotopic signature of the
monsoon precipitation in the Ganga Alluvial Plain.
