Quantifying Recycled Moisture in Precipitation in Qilian Mountains

Studies about the hydrological cycle based on basin or regional scales often ignore the uniqueness of recycling moisture in mountain areas, and little effort has been made to understand the impact of the local recycled moisture on precipitation in mountain areas. We collected and analyzed a series of samples (stable isotope of precipitation, soil water, plant water, runoff, and groundwater) in the Qilian Mountains, northwest of China. Based on the isotopic mixing model, the characteristics of recycled moisture in the Qilian Mountains were evaluated. The results showed that lateral advection moisture is the primary source of precipitation (83.5~98.38%). The contribution rate of recycled moisture to precipitation was higher in the spring, summer, and autumn (2.05~16.5%), and lower in the winter (1.62~3.32%). The contribution of recycled moisture to precipitation in the high-elevation areas (>2400 m) was higher than that in the foothills area (2100~2400 m). The contribution of vegetation transpiration (fTr) to precipitation in the east of Qilian Mountain was higher than that of the land surface evaporation (fEv). These proved that in the eastern part of Qilian Mountain, the arge-scale water cycle has a greater impact on precipitation in the area. The influence of local circulating water on precipitation dominated in the summer half of the year. Understanding the contribution of local circulating water to precipitation in the eastern part of Qilian Mountain will help us to understand the local hydrothermal conditions better and provide a basis for rationally arranging local agricultural production activities