The main factors affecting isotopes of Yellow River water in China

Variation of delta O-18, delta D, and H-3 in the Yellow River water were analyzed based on the isotope test results of water samples in 18 sections of the Yellow River in rainy and dry seasons. The results show the trend of the ratios of the stable isotopes increases while the H-3 concentration decreases progressively from the river source to the estuary. The main factors affecting the isotopes in the river water are the mixing of foreign water bodies, evaporation, and human activities. River runoff mostly comes from the source and the middle reaches of the river The changes of the isotopes in the river water could be served as a good indicator of the recharge of different foreign water to the Yellow River.