Analysis of Water Chemistry Characteristics and Main Ion Controlling Factors of Lakes in the Nagqu Area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in Summer
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In this manuscript, the authors focus on water chemistry characteristics and main ion controlling factors of lakes in the Nagqu area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The research results are a useful supplement to the basic information of lakes in this area.
However, the following concerns should be responded by the authors.
(1) The introduction part is too simple, and the research objectives are not very sufficient and clear.
(2) Classification method of lake types in water chemistry and its evaluation criteria are not clear in Materials and Methods.
(3) The subtitle of 3.1 and 3.2 is basically no difference, although their actual contents are completely different. The similar question is found in the subtitle of 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.
(4) All figures in the manuscript look a little blurry and are not very clear.
(5) In Table 2, 0 should be deleted in the values of oxidation/reduction. In fact, the accuracy of the instrument is difficult to reach this level in an actual monitoring situation.
(6) In Figure 2, the data cannot be displayed in the form of point-line, because each salt lake is in a dispersed and independent position, and the water bodies of all lakes are not connected to each other.
(7) Line 132-135: TDS ranged from 3.53 to 47.27 g·L-1, the salinity range of 0.64–106.90 g·L-1. Why is the maximum value of TDS and salinity so different?
(8) Line 172-174: the change of phosphorus content corresponds to the change of salt content, its main reason should be caused by evaporation and concentration.
(9) Line 176-180: whether are the test methods of TN and TP consistent with those specified methods in GB3838-2002? If not, the current evaluation results must be biased.
(10) Line 185: ... ranged from 2.97 to 10.98 mg·L-1 .... The ratio of N/P should have no unit.
(11) Is the value Pearson or Spearman correlation in Table 5? There is also not mentioned in Materials and Methods.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
To,
Editor
Journal of Water
Subject:- Analysis of water chemistry characteristics and main ion controlling factors of lakes in the Nagqu area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in summer
Dear Sir,
I submit the following my comments;
1. The conductivity or total dissolved salts are lesser than the total ions presented in table 2, 4.
2. When nitrate, nitrite and ammonia and its sum was approximately 1 ppm, why the total nitrogen exceed 16 ppm, Please check figures 2.
3. Reference may added China Salt Lake Chronicle, China lakes record.
4. Please add the references in methodology and explain well for understandings of applied methods.
5. The water quality may explained as spatial variations.
6. The geology section may presented in addition.
7. In table 2, The temperature may checked; and replace words hydration index with i.e physicochemical analysis.
8. The nutrients are rich in lakes may explained hydrogeochemistry or if any source of anthropogenic. The eutrophication index may also briefly presented.
9. Indicate the units in table 4, and remove hydration index.
10. The Gibbs diagram and Piper diagram may checked and changed if the most values at the borderline.
If this may with improvements.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript presents and discusses new data concerning water chemistry (major anions) of a set of 12 high-altitude lakes with increased levels of salt, alkalinity, and mineralization. All lakes are situated at high altitudes Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Given the location of investigated lakes, the subject presents interest for a large category of researchers.
To be accepted, the scientific value of the manuscript should be augmented first of all by increasing the quality of data analysis. Here I have noticed the absence of a well structured section concerning quality assurance. This fact is first of all evidenced by the lack of any experimental uncertainties (see Tables 2 and 4) as well as by the absence of any error bars in Fig. 4 and 5.
A matrix of correlation coefficients is useful but represents the first steps in a more detailed data analysis. I would suggest the author perform more multivariate data analysis such as PCA or Factor analysis.
Figure 1 without a general map of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau worth almost nothing.
For this reason, I would recommend moderate to major revisions.
More remarks con be found on the annotated pdf. file
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors have answered bona fide the majority of my observations and suggestions.
There are still two main reason I can't give OK manuscript to be published.
1. - Table 2 I insist to include uncertainties
2.- If some authors do not include error bars, e.g.
[1] Y. Tian, C. Yu, X. Zha, X. Gao, M. Yu, Hydrochemical characteristics and factors controlling of natural water in the western, southern, and northeastern border areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Acta Geographica Sinica 74(5) (2019) 975-991.
[2] J. Han, J. Xu, G. Wang, T. He, The material sources and it's hydraulic migration in the Gas Hure salt lake, Qaidam Basin, China, Journal of Lake Sciences 29(6) (2017) 1551-1560.
this does not represents a good example. I high quality paper contains all the time the error bars as a confirmation of the measurements quality.
Consequently, once these remarks will be properly answered, the manuscript could be published.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
