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Evolution of the groundwater system under the impacts of human activities in middle reaches of Heihe River Basin (Northwest China) from 1985 to 2013

Evolution du système aquifère influencé par les activités anthropiques dans les cours moyens du bassin versant de la rivière Heihe (Nord-Ouest de la Chine) entre 1985 et 2013

Evolución de un sistema de agua subterránea bajo los impactos de las actividades humanas entre 1985 y 2013 en la parte media de la cuenca del río Heihe (Noroeste de China)

1985年至2013年(中国西北地区)黑河流域中游人类活动影响下地下水系统的演化

Evolução do sistema de águas subterrâneas do trecho central da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Heihe (Nordeste da China) sob o impacto de atividades antropogênicas entre 1985 e 2013

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Abstract

Investigation of the evolution of the groundwater system and its mechanisms is critical to the sustainable management of water in river basins. Temporal and spatial distributions and characteristics of groundwater have undergone a tremendous change with the intensity of human activities in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin (HRB), the second largest arid inland river basin in northwestern China. Based on groundwater observation data, hydrogeological data, meteorological data and irrigation statistical data, combined with geostatistical analyses and groundwater storage estimation, the basin-scaled evolution of the groundwater levels and storage (from 1985 to 2013) were investigated. The results showed that the unbalanced allocation of water sources and expanded cropland by policy-based human activities resulted in the over-abstraction of groundwater, which induced a general decrease in the water table and groundwater storage. The groundwater level has generally fallen from 4.92 to 11.49 m from 1985 to 2013, especially in the upper and middle parts of the alluvial fan (zone I), and reached a maximum depth of 17.41 m. The total groundwater storage decreased by 177.52 × 108 m3; zone I accounted for about 94.7 % of the total decrease. The groundwater balance was disrupted and the groundwater system was in a severe negative balance; it was noted that the groundwater/surface-water interaction was also deeply affected. It is essential to develop a rational plan for integration and management of surface water and groundwater resources in the HRB.

Résumé

L’examen de l’évolution du système aquifère et de ses mécanismes est crucial vis-à-vis de la gestion durable des ressources eau dans les bassins versants de cours d’eau. Les distributions spatio-temporelles et les caractéristiques des eaux souterraines ont subi un énorme changement dû à l’intensité des activités anthropiques dans les cours moyens du bassin versant de la rivière Heihe, le deuxième plus grand bassin versant continental aride du Nord-Ouest de la Chine. A partir des données d’observation des eaux souterraines, de données hydrogéologiques, météorologiques et de données statistiques concernant l’irrigation, combinées aux analyses géostatistiques et à l’estimation de la capacité d’emmagasinement en eaux souterraines, l’évolution à l’échelle du bassin des niveaux piézométriques et du stockage (entre 1985 et 2013) a été étudiée. Les résultats ont montré que l’allocation déséquilibrée en ressources en eau et l’expansion des terres arables basée sur une politique de développement d’activités anthropiques avaient pour conséquence une surexploitation des eaux souterraines, qui a induit une diminution généralisée des niveaux piézométriques et des capacités de stockage en eaux souterraines. Le niveau piézométrique a généralement chuté de 4.92 à 11.49 m de profondeur entre 1985 et 2013, spécialement dans les parties amonts et intermédiaires du delta alluvial (zone I), et a atteint une profondeur maximale de 17.41 m. La capacité totale de stockage en eaux souterraines a diminué de 177.52 × 108 m3 ; la zone I contribua pour environ 94.7 % du total de la diminution. L’équilibre hydrique des aquifères a été perturbé et le système aquifère s’est retrouvé dans un bilan hydrique fortement négatif ; il a été remarqué que les interactions eaux souterraines/eaux de surface ont été également fortement affectées. Il est essentiel de développer un plan pertinent pour l’intégration et la gestion des ressources en eaux de surface et souterraines dans le bassin versant de la rivière Heihe.

Resumen

La investigación de la evolución del sistema de agua subterránea y sus mecanismos es fundamental para la gestión sostenible del agua en las cuencas hidrográficas Las características y las distribuciones temporales y espaciales del agua subterránea han experimentado cambios significativos debido a la intensidad de las actividades humanas en el curso medio de la cuenca del río Heihe (HRB), que es la segunda cuenca fluvial más extensa del interior árido del noroeste de China. Se investiga la evolución de la cuenca a escala de los niveles y el almacenamiento del agua subterránea (desde 1985 a 2013) en base en datos de observación del agua subterránea, datos hidrogeológicos, datos meteorológicos y datos estadísticos del riego, conjuntamente con análisis geoestadísticos y de estimación del almacenamiento del agua subterránea. Los resultados mostraron que la expansión de las actividades humanas basadas en políticas de una asignación no equilibrada de las fuentes de agua y de las tierras de cultivo dio lugar a la sobreexplotación del agua subterránea, lo que indujo una disminución general en los niveles freáticos y en el almacenamiento del agua subterránea. El nivel del agua subterránea descendió generalmente de 4.92 a 11.49 m desde 1985 hasta 2013, sobre todo en las partes altas y medias del abanico aluvial (zona I), y alcanzó una profundidad máxima de 17.41 m. El almacenamiento de agua subterránea total disminuyó 177.52 × 108 m3; lo cual representó para la zona I alrededor del 94.7 % de la disminución total. El balance de agua subterránea fue afectado y presentó un severo saldo negativo; se observó que también la interacción de las aguas subterráneas / aguas superficiales fue profundamente afectada. Es esencial desarrollar un plan racional para la gestión y la integración de los recursos hídricos superficiales y subterráneos en la HRB.

摘要

地下水系统演化及其机理调查对于河流流域的水资源可持续管理至关重要。黑河是中国西北部第二大干旱内陆河,黑河中游地下水的时空分布和特征在人类强烈活动影响下经历着巨大的变化。基于地下水观测资料、水文地质资料、气象资料和灌溉统计资料,结合地质统计分析和地下水储量估算方法,研究了地下水位和储量(1985–2013年)在流域尺度的演化。结果显示,水资源分配不均 衡和基于政策的人类活动造成的农田扩张导致地下水过量开采,引起地下水位和地下水储量的下降。1985年至2013年,地下水位普遍下降了4.92 至11.49米,尤其在冲积扇(I区)中上部,下降最大达17.41米。地下水总储量减少了177.52 × 108 立方米,I区占总下降量的94.7 %。地下水平衡遭到破坏,地下水系统处于严重的负均衡状态;值得注意的是,地下水、地表水的交互作用也受到很大影响。制定黑河流域地表水和地下水资源综合管理的合理规划至关重要。

Resumo

A investigação sobre a evolução do sistema de água subterrânea e os seus mecanismos é fundamental para a gestão sustentável de água em bacias hidrográficas. A distribuição espacial e temporal das características das águas subterrâneas sofreu alterações significativas com a intensidade das atividades antropogênicas no trecho central da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Heihe (BHRH), a segunda maior bacia hidrográfica árida e interior no noroeste da China. A evolução dos níveis piezométricos e do armazenamento na escala da bacia (de 1985 a 2013) foram investigados com base em dados observados, dados hidrogeológicos, dados meteorológicos e dados estatísticos de irrigação, juntamente com análises geoestatísticas e estimativas do armazenamento de água subterrânea. Os resultados mostram que a alocação desequilibrada de recursos hídricos e a política de expansão da área agrícola a partir de atividades antropogênicas resultaram na sobre-exploração das águas subterrâneas, que induziu a um decréscimo geral do nível freático e do armazenamento. O nível freático decresceu em geral de 4.92 m a 11.49 m entre 1985 e 2013, em particular nas zonas superiores e intermedias do leque aluvial (zona I), e atingiu uma profundidade máxima de 17.41 m. A depleção total do armazenamento de águas subterrâneas foi de 177.52 × 108 m3; em que a zona I representa 94.7 %. O balanço hídrico encontra-se em desequilíbrio e o sistema apresenta um balanço negativo; a interação água subterrânea/superficial foi também fortemente afetada. É essencial desenvolver um plano racional para a integração e gestão e recursos hídricos superficiais e subterrâneos na BHRH.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91125025), and the Science and Technology Service Network Plan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-EW-STS-005-02). We also thank the editors and anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Heihe Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology and Integrated River Basin Science, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Lina Mi, Honglang Xiao, Zhenliang Yin & Yongping Shen

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Lina Mi

  3. College of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Jianming Zhang

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  1. Lina Mi
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Mi, L., Xiao, H., Zhang, J. et al. Evolution of the groundwater system under the impacts of human activities in middle reaches of Heihe River Basin (Northwest China) from 1985 to 2013. Hydrogeol J 24, 971–986 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1346-y

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