Chemical Characteristics-Based Evolution of Groundwater in Tailan River Basin, Xinjiang, China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe purposes of the manuscript water-2618640 is to assess the chemical characteristics and the evolution of groundwater in Telan River Basin (Xinjiang,China), using mathematical statistics, ion ratio analysis, and geochemical modelling.
The paper appears no well-structured and some sections must be improved. Therefore, I believe the manuscript should be published only after major revision.
Comments (R = row#):
In the pdf I received for review, there are parts highlighted in yellow, why?
R=68: Geogenic pollution it is little elaborated in the introduction. I recommend reading the following works and integrating this part: [1,2]
R=91: the graphic quality of the figure 1 is very low. The writing cannot be read and the letters a, b and c for the various parts are missing
R=96: the legend of figure 2 is not clear, and the writings are in Chinese
R=140: tab 1 is not present in this document!
R=162: use box plots to better describe and visualize these characteristics and variations.
R=179: To evaluate the chemical composition of the water it is not enough to use the Piper diagram because it does not take into account (as proposed by the authors) salinity, I suggest using a TIS salinity diagram, as proposed by: [3]
R=215: change Albiase with Albite
R=273: which phreeqc database was used?
R=291: also in this case it must be indicated which database was used, furthermore it is necessary to consider the fact that this type of models do not consider the reaction rates as already highlighted by [4,5]
Throughout the text all superscripts and subscripts of the chemical formulas must be checked
Discussion and conclusions should be revised and integrated considering the previous comments
The recommended works must be added in the references:
[1]-Karunanidhi, D., Subramani, T., Roy, P.D. and Li, H., 2021. Impact of groundwater contamination on human health. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(2), pp.643-647.
[2]- Barzegar, R., Asghari Moghaddam, A., Adamowski, J. and Nazemi, A.H., 2019. Assessing the potential origins and human health risks of trace elements in groundwater: a case study in the Khoy plain, Iran. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 41, pp.981-1002.
[3]- Procesi, M., Marini, L., Cinti, D., Sciarra, A., Basile, P., Mazzoni, T. and Zarlenga, F., 2022. Preliminary fluid geochemical survey in Tete Province and prospective development of geothermics in Mozambique. Geothermal Energy, 10(1), pp.1-27.
[4]- Apollaro, C., Fuoco, I., Gennaro, E., Giuliani, L., Iezzi, G., Marini, L., Radica, F., Di Luccio, F., Ventura, G. and Vespasiano, G., 2023. Advanced argillic alteration at Cave di Caolino, Lipari, Aeolian Islands (Italy): Implications for the mitigation of volcanic risks and the exploitation of geothermal resources. Science of The Total Environment, 889, p.164333.
[5]- Apollaro, C., Marini, L. and De Rosa, R., 2007. Use of reaction path modeling to predict the chemistry of stream water and groundwater: a case study from the Fiume Grande valley (Calabria, Italy). Environmental geology, 51, pp.1133-1145.
Author Response
Dear reviewer
Thank you for your suggestions. I have revised your suggestions one by one, please see the attachment for details
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsChemical characteristics-based evolution of groundwater in Telan River Basin, Xinjiang,China
Lei Liu, Yudong Lu1, Lihe Yin, Zhi Yang, Jiaxin Bian, Liyang Cui
Major
1.All text must be carefully corrected.
2. Despite the link in the text, the paper does not contain Table 1, in which you need to indicate Sample ID, Location (coordinates), Sample date, depth (m), physical and chemical parameters, chemical type of water. Without this, it is impossible to verify the authors’ judgments.
3. There is absolutely no information about where the samples were taken from (boreholes, wells, springs, etc.)
4. Figures and legends for them need to be edited
Minor
Abstract
A letter dated September 25 from the editorial office of Abstract differed, in the “Review Report Form” too:
The Tailan river basin is located in an arid and ecologically sensitive region of western China. It is very important to understand the water chemistry and the evolution of groundwater in this area for the sustainable utilization of groundwater. In this study, 69 representative water samples were collected from the area, In this paper, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), Piper and Gibbs chart, ion ratio and hydrogeochemical simulation methods are used to analyze the distribution characteristics of groundwater chemical types and the controlling factors of groundwater chemistry, and discuss the role of water-rock in the process of groundwater chemical evolution.The results are shown as follows: (1) The water samples were divided into 4 zones (Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ) .zone I is the recharge zone, Zone II and III are the transition zone, and zone IV is the discharge zone.From the upper reaches to the middle reaches, the hydrochemical types changed from Ca-HCO3 to Ca-Mg-Na-Cl-SO4, and from the middle reaches to the lower reaches, the hydrochemical types changed from Ca-Mg-Na-Cl-SO4 to Na-Cl-SO4 and Na-Cl.(2) the groundwater chemical characteristics in the study area were mainly controlled by water-rock interaction and evaporative crystallization. Along the groundwater flow path, halite and gypsum are not saturated, calcite precipitate, and the cation exchange degree is weakened.
It was said that 69 representative water samples were collected from the area. Water types were indicated in the manner commonly used.
In the manuscript, the Abstract looks like this:
Groundwater plays an important role in ecological environment protection in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of hydrochemical evolution in this area is of great significance for the sustainable use of groundwater in this area. The Tailan river basin is located in the arid ecological sensitive area in western China. In this study, we collected 42 groups of representative water samples from Tailan river, and analyzed the chemical distribution in groundwater using mathematical statistics, Piper and Gibbs charts, ion ratio, and hydrogeochemical simulation methods were shown in xxx. We also discussed the water-rock interaction in the groundwater hydrochemical evolutionary process. The results are shown as follows: (1) The chemical types of groundwater changed from HCO3·SO4-Ca to SO4·Cl-Na·Ca, Cl·SO4-Na and Cl-Na, and the total dissolved solids content increased from less than 1g/L to more than 40g/L from piedhill gravel plain to fine soil plain; (2) Gibbs chart, the ion ratio analysis and saturation index showed that the groundwater chemical characteristics in the study area were mainly controlled by water-rock interaction, as well as evaporation and concentration. Along the runoff of groundwater, halite and gypsum were dissolved dolomite and calcite precipitated. The relationship between chlor-alkali index and [(Na++K+) -Cl-] and [(Ca2++Mg2+) - (HCO3-+SO42-)] indicated that cation exchange also affects the chemical composition of groundwater in the area; (3) Through reverse hydrogeochemical simulation, the main water-rock effect of the groundwater runoff process revealed by qualitative analysis was quantitatively verified.
There are already 42 groups of representative water samples from Tailan river (from river?). The title of the article is “Telan River Basin”.
Line 16
It is not clear what the symbol "xxx" means
Line 18
The types of water are indicated in an unusual way.
Lines 22-23
The phrase “Along the runoff of groundwater, halite and gypsum were dissolved dolomite and calcite precipitated” needs to be edited.
INTRODUCTION
Line 70
Instead of “the” you need “The”
MATERIALS AND METHODS
1. Study area 2. Hydrogeology
Heading writing should be unified
Figure 1.
Counter water table
It is necessary to put absolute marks on the isolines (if they are isolines) and, accordingly, in the legend
Sampling site
It is necessary to explain in the caption to the figure the designations WG, S, G
Study area
The legend does not correspond to the picture
Figure 2.
Didn't find “a” in the picture on the left
Image in Legend
Please translate into English
Lines 115-116
Hydrochemical samples were collected from different water bodies.
Explain in detail what these “water bodies” are: boreholes, wells, springs, etc.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Lines 140-145
The pH value of the water samples in the study area is ranging between 7-8.86 indicating all water samples are weakly alkaline. The pH of the t groundwater mostly below 8.5. The eutrophication of groundwater is below the threshold standards (World Health Organization ,2008). According to the WHO, the recommended maximum permissible limit for the pH of groundwater is maximum 8.5 maximum. The pH of surface water is relatively low ranging from 7.96-8.44.
This phrase needs to be edited. It is unclear how surface water differs from groundwater and why the pH of surface water is relatively low. In addition, there is an extra letter t.
Line 152
Instead of 215mg/L to 42794mg/L you need 215 mg/L to 42,794 mg/L
Similar errors need to be corrected throughout the text.
Lines 159-160
Instead of Na+、Mg2+、Cl-, andSO42- you need Na+, Mg2+, Cl-, and SO42-
Figure 4.
Water-salt interaction or Water-rock interaction?
Line 215
aluminite minerals, such as albiase
May be aluminosilicate minerals such as albite?
References
It must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the journal. The section as presented is unacceptable.
Author Response
Dear reviewer
Thank you for your suggestions. I have revised your suggestions one by one, please see the attachment for details
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for Authorsok
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
First of all, thank you for your tolerance of my weak writing ability, and I have been trying to revise it under your advice. I have improved the format of the article by referring to the submission instructions, especially the references. Due to my weak English ability, I hereby apply to the professionals of this journal for revision. See attachment for the latest revised version.
Liu Lei
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper is interesting, but the main comments still remain relevant.
The paper requires editing by a native English speaker, as well as careful proofreading.
Authors should once again refer to the Instructions for Authors.
I won’t re-note specific typos, but as an example I’ll give three options for spelling References:
Journal Articles:
Instructions for Authors:
1. Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name Year, Volume, page range.
Peer reviewed paper:
1. Gu, X; Zhang, Q; Cui, Y; Shao, J; Xiao, Y; Zhang, P; Liu, J. Hydrogeochemistry and Genesis Analysis of Thermal and Mineral Springs in Arxan, Northeastern China.Water 2017,9,61.
13. 13. SIKDAR P K,SARKAR S S,PALCHOUDHURY S．Geo-chemical evolution of groundwater in the Quaternary a quifer of Calcutta and Howrah,India[J].Journal of Asian Earth Sciences,2001,19(5):579－594
39. Jiang Wanjun,Zhao Dan,Wang Guangcai,et al．Hydrogeochemical characteristics and formation function of groundwater in 478 Tu-Ha Ba-sin,Xinjiang[J]．Modern Geology,2016,30(4):825-833
None of the options meet the requirements.
Such inconsistencies are constant in the text.
In addition, the revised manuscript does not highlight all the corrections made.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
First of all, thank you for your tolerance of my weak writing ability, and I have been trying to revise it under your advice. I have improved the format of the article by referring to the submission instructions, especially the references. Due to my we ak English ability, I hereby apply to the professionals of this journal for revision.
Liu lei
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript improved a lot with the comments requested, although revision of English and style are needed.
Although common for many hydrogeochemical works, I believe that the statistical part presented by the authors is adequate. Moreover, one of my suggestions in the fisrt revision was to use a graphical method to present the descriptive statistic of table 2.
I think that to visualize the results, and above all, to positively cover what the authors point out in the last paragraph of the introduction ("The evolution of water chemistry in the Tailan River Basin have received little attention"), it would be important a map of spatial distribution or proportional symbols.
I suggest that a section for discussion of results be added so that the manuscript is not only descriptive but also discusses the high concentrations of nitrate, TH, among others, and relate it to the anthropogenic activities of the place and the geology.
Some other comments are in the manuscript.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
It is imperative to review the style and wording. There are many misspellings that still need to be corrected.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis is a poorly prepared manuscript. It has many problems.
1. The language in this manuscript is poor and serious modifications are needed. It is required to be edited by native English speakers.
2. The authors are careless, because they did not remove the unnecessary contents from the template.
3. Introduction is poor, and was not written in a manner of international interest. The literature review is weak.
4. Methods were poorly introduced. They should be introduced as separate subsections based on their topics.
5. Most seriously, the results and discussion was weak, and no new innovative contributions and findings were reported. The authors have adequate data, but these data were poorly used.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe language in this manuscript is poor and serious modifications are needed. It is required to be edited by native English speakers
