Isotopes and hydrochemistry were used to characterize the recharge and flow of groundwater in the arid Santanghu basin in Northwest China. The results of isotopic measurement and hydrochemical facies indicate that the predominant recharge mechanism is via rivers and streams. Modern recharge only occurs in the piedmont area of Moqinwula Mountains by ephemeral rivers, and the main recharge source is precipitation in the mountain areas at an elevation of about 2,200 m above sea level. Two recharge mechanisms were identified by stable isotope methods: the ephemeral stream recharge in the piedmont with the occurrence of evaporation during recharge, and subsurface inflow recharge from the mountain regions. Diffuse recharge derived from precipitation in the basin can be ignored because of the scarcity of precipitation and intense evaporation. Groundwater in the Paleogene and Neogene confined aquifers could represent recharge during cooler climatic conditions, rather than latitude or altitude effects, signified by tritium-free samples and significant depletion of heavy stable isotopes throughout the study area. Groundwater age data suggest that central faults are controlling the flow paths of the regional groundwater flow system. Groundwater moves from the piedmont plain to the basin lowland area through lateral flow, and changes flow direction to the spring zone of Hanshuiquan Oasis because of the barrier of the central faults. A conceptual model was defined, for better understanding of the groundwater recharge and flow systems. The major findings of this study have significant implications for groundwater protection and management in arid basins.

同位素和水化学被用来表征西北干旱三塘湖盆地地下水的补给和流动。同位素测量和水化学相的结果表明，主要的补给机理是通过河流和溪流。现代补给仅发生在短暂的河流在莫钦乌拉山脉的山麓地区，主要补给来源是海拔海拔约2200 m的山区的降水。通过稳定同位素方法确定了两种补给机理：山前的短暂河流补给，并在补给过程中发生了蒸发；山区的地下流入补给。由于降水稀少和强烈蒸发，流域降水产生的扩散补给可以忽略不计。在较冷的气候条件下，古近纪和新近纪承压含水层中的地下水可以表示补给，而不是纬度或高度影响，这由无tri的样品和整个研究区域中大量稳定的重同位素的消耗来表示。地下水年龄数据表明，中央断层正在控制区域地下水流系统的流动路径。地下水通过侧向流动从山前平原流向盆地低地，并由于中央断层的屏障而改变了流向汉水泉绿洲泉域的方向。为了更好地理解地下水补给和流量系统，定义了一个概念模型。这项研究的主要发现对干旱盆地的地下水保护和管理具有重要意义。