Characteristics of Ions Composition and Chemical Weathering of Tributary in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region: The Perspective of Stratified Water Sample from Xiaojiang River

River water chemistry offers information on watershed weathering and responds to the global carbon cycle. Watershed weathering processes and water chemistry in stratified water are still unclear in Xiaojiang River, as a major tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) which is the largest reservoir in the world. Major ions of river water at different depths were measured to reveal the ionic composition and chemical weathering properties by principal component analysis and stoichiometry in Xiaojiang River. Ca2+-HCO3- dominated the hydrochemical facies of river. Surface river water had the lowest total dissolved solid (146 mg/L) compared to other layers of water. According to principal component analysis, the major ions were divided into two principal components. PC1 was the weathering end-member of rocks, including the main ions except K+ and NO3-N, and PC2 may be the mixed end-member of atmospheric input and anthropogenic input. From stoichiometry, carbonate weathering dominated the cationic composition, with a contribution ratio of 56.7%, whereas atmospheric input (15.2%) and silicates weathering (13.9%) had similar extent of contribution. Compared with other major tributaries of TGR, Xiaojiang had more intense chemical weathering processes. The weathering rates of carbonates and silicates were 19.33 +/- 0.68 ton/km(2)/year and 3.56 +/- 0.58 ton/km(2)/year, respectively. Sulfuric acid as a proton may have participated less in the weathering processes of Xiaojiang River. The CO2 consumption budgets for silicates and carbonates weathering were 0.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(9) mol/year and 2.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(9) mol/year, respectively. These results enrich the watershed weathering information of TGR tributaries and provide data support for understanding the global carbon cycle.

Automated summary

This study investigates the water chemistry and weathering processes in the Xiaojiang River, a major tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir. The results show that the river water is dominated by Ca2+-HCO3-. Surface water has the lowest total dissolved solid compared to other layers. Principal component analysis divides the major ions into two components, with one representing weathering end-members and the other representing mixed atmospheric and anthropogenic inputs. Carbonate weathering dominates the cationic composition, while atmospheric input and silicate weathering contribute similarly. Compared to other tributaries, the Xiaojiang River experiences more intense chemical weathering processes. The weathering rates of carbonates and silicates are also quantified. These findings contribute to our understanding of watershed weathering and the global carbon cycle.