Abstract
Improved understanding of interactions among the atmosphere, soil water and groundwater can be achieved by observing time-series of soil-water content and water-table fluctuations in a soil profile. Field observations at a site in China show that from mid-June to mid-September, when evapotranspiration is strong, direct groundwater recharge does not occur, and variations in soil-water content in the shallow part of the unsaturated zone are mainly controlled by atmospheric conditions; however, in the deeper part they are controlled by the fluctuating water table. Therefore, a one-dimensional (1D) model with a variable-head lower boundary condition (BC) is built to interpret the responses of soil-water flow to changes in atmospheric and groundwater conditions, and a 1D model with a fixed-head lower BC corresponding to the mean water-table depth is built for comparison. The model with a variable-head lower BC reproduces the observed variations in soil-water content, and results in much smaller groundwater evapotranspiration than the compared model. Moreover, the model with a variable-head lower BC shows a two-sided damping of variations in the soil-water flux from the surface and from the bottom, thus producing a stable middle layer with limited variation in soil-water flux. The limited but stable upward flux in the middle layer indicates restriction of both the direct recharge and evapotranspiration of groundwater. Therefore, this study enhances understanding of interactions between the atmosphere and groundwater in arid regions, and also on the appropriate selection of the lower BC of 1D variably saturated flow models.
Résumé
Une meilleure compréhension des interactions entre l’atmosphère, l’eau du sol et l’eau souterraine dans une région semi-aride peut être obtenue par l’étude des chroniques de la teneur en eau et des fluctuations du niveau piézométrique sur un profil de sol. Des observations de terrain sur un site en Chine montrent qu’entre la mi-juin et la mi-septembre, quand l’évapotranspiration est forte, la recharge directe en eau souterraine ne se produit pas, et les variations de la teneur en eau du sol dans la partie supérieure de la zone non saturée sont principalement contrôlées par les conditions atmosphériques; néanmoins, dans la partie plus profonde elles sont contrôlées par les fluctuations de la surface piézométrique. En conséquence, un modèle uni-dimensionnel (1D) avec une condition aux limites (CL) inférieure à charge hydraulique variable est établi pour interpréter les réponses de l’écoulement de l’eau du sol aux changements des conditions atmosphériques et souterraines et un modèle 1D à CL inférieure à charge hydraulique fixe, correspondant à la profondeur moyenne de la surface piézométrique, est construit pour comparaison. Le modèle à CL inférieure à charge hydraulique variable reproduit les variations observées de la teneur en eau du sol et conduit à une évapotranspiration de l’eau souterraine beaucoup plus faible que dans le modèle de comparaison. Qui plus est, le modèle à CL inférieure à charge hydraulique variable montre un amortissement des variations de l’écoulement de l’eau du sol à la fois depuis la surface et depuis le fond, générant ainsi une couche moyenne stable avec des variations limitées du flux d’eau dans le sol. Les flux amont limités mais stables dans la couche moyenne indique une limitation à la fois de la recharge directe et de l’évapotranspiration des eaux souterraines. Ainsi, la présente étude renforce la compréhension des interactions entre l’atmosphère et l’eau souterraine dans les régions arides et aussi du choix judicieux de la CL inférieure pour les modèles 1D à écoulement saturé variable.
Resumen
En una región semiárida se puede lograr una mejor comprensión de las interacciones entre la atmósfera, el agua del suelo y las aguas subterráneas observando series cronológicas del contenido de agua del suelo y las fluctuaciones del nivel freático en un perfil de suelo. Las observaciones sobre el terreno en un sitio de China muestran que a mediados de junio y mediados de septiembre, cuando la evapotranspiración es fuerte, no se produce una recarga directa de las aguas subterráneas, y las variaciones del contenido de agua del suelo en la parte poco profunda de la zona no saturada están controladas principalmente por las condiciones atmosféricas; sin embargo, en la parte más profunda están controladas por la fluctuación del nivel freático. Por lo tanto, se construye un modelo unidimensional (1D) con una condición de límite inferior (BC) de carga variable para interpretar las respuestas del flujo de agua del suelo a los cambios en las condiciones atmosféricas y de las aguas subterráneas, y se construye un modelo 1D con una BC inferior de carga fija que corresponde a la profundidad media del nivel freático para su comparación. El modelo con un nivel inferior de BC de carga variable reproduce las variaciones observadas en el contenido de agua del suelo y da lugar a una evapotranspiración de las aguas subterráneas mucho menor que la del modelo comparado. Además, el modelo con un nivel inferior de carga variable muestra una amortiguación en ambos lados de las variaciones del flujo de agua del suelo desde la superficie y desde el fondo, produciendo así una capa media estable con una variación limitada del flujo de agua en el suelo. El flujo ascendente limitado pero estable de la capa media indica la restricción tanto de la recarga directa como de la evapotranspiración de las aguas subterráneas. Por lo tanto, este estudio mejora la comprensión de las interacciones entre la atmósfera y las aguas subterráneas en las regiones áridas, y también sobre la selección apropiada de los modelos de flujo de saturación variable de la capa inferior del BC de 1D.
摘要
通过观察土壤水分含量和土壤剖面中的水位波动的时间序列,可以更好地理解半干旱地区大气,土壤水和地下水之间的相互作用。中国某实地的观察表明,在6月中旬和9月中旬,当蒸散量很大时,没有直接的地下水补给,并且非饱和区浅层土壤水含量的变化主要受大气条件的控制;但在更深的地方,浅层土壤水含量变化是由波动的地下水位控制的。因此,建立了具有变水头下边界条件(BC)的一维(1D)模型来解释土壤水流动对大气和地下水条件变化的响应。另外,建立了固定水头为下边界条件的一维模型与进行比较。具有变水头下边界的模型再现了观察到的土壤含水量变化,与比较模型结果相比,其模拟的地下蒸散量要小得多。此外,带有变水头的下边界的模型显示了土壤水通量向表面和底部的存在双向减弱的变化,因此产生了土壤水通量变化小的稳定中间层。中层有限但稳定的向上通量表明,地下水的直接补给和蒸散作用受到限制。因此,本研究增进了对干旱地区大气与地下水之间相互作用的理解,并适当选择了一维变饱和流模型的下边界条件。
Resumo
Entendimento melhorado das interações entre a atmosfera, água no solo e águas subterrâneas em região semiárida pode ser atingido pela observação de séries temporais do conteúdo de água no solo e flutuações no nível freático em um perfil de solo. Observações de campo em um local na China mostraram que durante o meio de junho e meio de setembro, quando a evapotranspiração é forte, a recarga direta de águas subterrâneas não ocorre, e as variações no conteúdo de água no solo na parte rasa da zona não-saturada são principalmente controladas por condições atmosféricas; entretanto, na parte mais profunda eles são controlados pela flutuação do nível freático. Portanto, um modelo unidimensional (1D) com condição de fronteira (CF) baixa de carga variável é construído para interpretar as respostas do fluxo água-solo em mudanças em condições atmosféricas e de águas subterrâneas, e um modelo 1D com CF baixa de carga fixa correspondente à profundidade média do nível freático é construído para comparação. O modelo com CF baixa de carga variável reproduz as variações observadas no conteúdo água-solo, e os resultados em menor evapotranspiração das águas subterrâneas do que o modelo comparado. Além disso, o modelo com CF baixa de carga variável mostra um amortecimento bilateral das variações no fluxo de água-solo da superfície e do fundo, assim produzindo uma camada média estável com variação limitada no fluxo água-solo. O fluxo limitado e estável em ascensão na camada do meio indica restrição em ambas, recarga direta e evapotranspiração das águas subterrâneas. Portanto, esse estudo melhora o entendimento das interações entre a atmosfera e as águas subterrâneas em regiões áridas, e também na seleção apropriada da CF baixa de modelos 1D de fluxos saturados variantes.
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The authors thank two anonymous reviewers and the anonymous associate editor for providing constructive comments.
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This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41772242), and the National Program for Support of Top-Notch Young Professionals.
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This article is part of the topical collection “Groundwater recharge and discharge in arid and semi-arid areas of China”
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Zhao, KY., Jiang, XW., Wang, XS. et al. Restriction of groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration due to a fluctuating water table: a study in the Ordos Plateau, China. Hydrogeol J 29, 567–577 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02208-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02208-9