Understanding the impact of natural processes and anthropogenic activities on geochemical evolution is vital for groundwater protection and utilization. This research was devoted to identifying the water quality status and the main controlling factors of the hydrochemical evolution of karst groundwater by combining hydrogeochemical indicators with multi-isotope analysis techniques in the Heilongdong Spring Basin, North China. The results showed that the karst groundwater in the area was of meteoric origin, and the dissolution of carbonate minerals was dominant in water–rock interactions. Meanwhile, the positive and negative cation exchange occurred in the process. The main hydrochemical types of karst groundwater were HCO₃-Ca·Mg and HCO₃-Ca in the recharge area, while the predominant hydrochemical types were the HCO₃·SO₄-Ca·Mg and HCO₃·SO₄-Ca in the runoff and discharge area. Under the influence of coal mining and other factors, the average concentrations of major ions kept rising in the runoff area where coal mines were distributed, and the SO₄²⁻ concentrations of the karst groundwater changed the most in the study area. In addition, sewage from agricultural production and domestic sources had also negatively impacted the quality of regional groundwater in the runoff and discharge area, as evidenced by the increasing NO₃⁻ and Cl⁻ contents in the Quaternary sediment groundwater, Permian bedrock groundwater and a small portion of karst groundwater. These results were helpful to explain the mechanism of gradual hydrogeochemical changes and provided a scientific basis for the effective management and utilization of karst groundwater.

Karst groundwater plays important roles as a water supply and in sustaining the biodiversity and ecosystems of the eastern Qinghai–Xizang Plateau. Owing to the stratigraphic structure, high tectonic activity, and changeable climate of the region, the recharge source, runoff path, and dynamic characteristics of karst groundwater are highly complex, which poses challenges with regard to the protection of water resources and ecology. This study identified the origin and flow processes of karst groundwater in the glacial lake area of the Jinsha River fault zone using satellite remote sensing, hydrochemical and isotope analyses, and flow measurements. Results showed that active faults control the distribution of glacial lakes and the recharge, runoff, and discharge of karst groundwater. Glacial lake water is an important source of karst groundwater in the Jinsha River fault zone area. Specifically, glacial lake water continuously recharges the karst system via faults, fractures, and karst conduits, thereby maintaining the relative stability of karst spring flows. Through hierarchical cluster analysis, two main runoff conduits of karst water were distinguished: one along the Dingqu Fault and the other along the Eastern Zhairulong Fault, which together account for 59% of the total regional karst groundwater flow. The elevation difference between the recharge and discharge areas of the main karst springs is > 1000 m. Groundwater runoff is fast and residence time in the aquifer is short. The dissolution of calcite and dolomite mainly occurs during transit through the groundwater system, and cation exchange is weak. Therefore, the regional karst springs are predominantly HCO₃−Ca·Mg type. To protect regional karst water resources and ecology, the monitoring and protection of glacial lakes should be strengthened.

Groundwater in the alpine canyon regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is influenced by multiple recharge sources and geological structures, resulting in complex recharge processes and evolution mechanisms. This study focuses on the alpine canyon region of Zheduotang and integrates unsupervised machine learning with isotope tracers (δD, δ¹⁸O, and ³H) to systematically identify groundwater sources and their evolutionary processes. By integrating self-organizing maps (SOM) and K-means clustering, the water samples are classified into four groups, highlighting variations in hydrochemical facies, mineralization levels, and dominant ion sources among different water bodies. The results indicate that groundwater hydrochemical evolution is jointly governed by lithology and water-rock interaction intensity. Groundwater in the granite-dominated area is characterized by low-TDS Ca-HCO₃ and Ca-Mg-HCO₃, suggesting rapid shallow recharge, whereas groundwater in the metamorphic sandstone–slate area exhibits higher TDS with enriched Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and HCO₃⁻, indicative of longer flow paths and stronger water-rock interactions. Isotopic evidence indicates that groundwater and surface water are predominantly recharged by atmospheric precipitation and snow-ice meltwater, with recharge elevations ranging from 3594 to 5103 m, typically 400–800 m higher than their corresponding discharge elevations. Groundwater recharge in the study area occurs through three principal modes: direct recharge via high-elevation fractures, sustained input from alpine glacial lakes, and river leakage, and is strongly controlled by geological structures overall.