Hydrogeochemical controls on As and B enrichment in the aqueous environment from the Western Tibetan Plateau: A case study from the Singe Tsangpo River Basin

Although enrichment of As and B has been extensively observed in major rivers within the Tibetan Plateau, the mechanisms regulating natural enrichment of As and B in the river basins remain poorly understood. To evaluate the hydrogeochemical controls on the As and B enrichment in the aqueous environment in the western Tibetan Plateau, samples of river waters, river sediments, and groundwater were collected within the Singe Tsangpo River basin. The results revealed significant enrichment of As and B in river water (up to 104 μg L −1 for As and 3.2 mg/L for B), river sediment (up to 141 mg/kg for As and 79.4 mg/kg for B), and groundwater (up to 73 μg /L for As and 2.5 mg/L for B). Moreover, the decreases in the molar ratios from the Ca 2+ /(Na + +K + ) in river water and the chemical index of alteration (CIA) in the sediments accompanied with the enrichment of heavier δ 18 O values along the river flow path suggested that, carbonate and silicate weathering were more substantial at the upper reaches, and the dissolution of evaporites was enhanced at the lower reaches. The As and B enrichment in the river waters primarily resulted from the discharge of geothermal springs, while the carbonate weathering has facilitated the B enrichment through providing HCO 3 − for the competitive adsorption with H 3 BO 3 or B(OH) 4 − . In addition, the recharge of surface water into groundwater resulted in elevated As and B concentrations in the alluvial aquifers at the lower reaches of the Singe Tsangpo River. The present study highlighted that variations in the weathering processes within the river basin could significantly contribute to the enrichment of As and B, which can improve our understanding of hydrogeochemical controls on the transport and enrichment of trace elements at the catchment scale worldwide. • Chemical weathering varied along the flow path of the Singe Tsangpo River. • As and B enrichment in river waters were sourced from the hot springs and evaporite. • As and B is introduced into the groundwater through surface water recharge.