Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Underground karst development characteristics and their influence on exploitation of karst groundwater in Guilin City, southwestern China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Carbonates and Evaporites Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Exploitation and utilization for karst groundwater is an effective way of solving the imbalance between supply and demand of water resources in Guilin City, southwestern China. To better develop and utilize karst groundwater, the development characteristics of underground karst in Guilin City and their influence on the development of karst groundwater were systematically investigated. The results show that the thick limestone formation of D3r is the most ideal aquifer because it has the highest karst development and the most abundant karst groundwater. The main karst development zone is above 90 m a.s.l., and accounting for 88.5% of the karst caves, 11.5% karst caves are located in the weak karst development zone of 40–90 m a.s.l, and below 40 m a.s.l., the karst is not developed. Thus, the borehole depth for groundwater exploitation is suggested to be approximately 100–120 m owing to the ground-surface elevation of Guilin City being 140–160 m a.s.l. The zone above 120 m a.s.l. is not optimal for karst groundwater exploitation because of its high karst cave filling rate (82.89%) and low water-filling cavity ratio (16.95–30.08%), in which the karst groundwater is easily connected with surface water, therefore, an increase of possibility of collapse when abstracting groundwater. The zone between 120 and 90 m a.s.l. could be more optimal for groundwater extraction due to its medium scale of karst caves, relatively low karst cave filling rate (62.07%), and high water-filling cavity rate (30.43–62.10%) relatively. Meanwhile, a favorable groundwater exploitation and utilization region is located in the eastern study area, which has the highest underground karst development, with the highest percentage of boreholes encountering caverns (80.21%), linear karst rates (8.58%), and the medium karst cave filling rate (65.61%). This study provides a scientific basis for the exploitation of karst groundwater and construction of a backup emergency water sources for Guilin City.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The files necessary to generate Figures and Extended Figures are available upon request.

References

  • Ahmed Al-Taani A (2013) Seasonal variations in water quality of Al-Wehda Dam north of Jordan and water suitability for irrigation in summer. Arabian J Geosci 6:1131–1140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bi H, Wang ZG, Wang YL, Zhu XQ (1999) History of tectono-magmatic evolution in the Western Kunlun Orogen. Sci China, Ser D Earth Sci 42:604–619

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao JW, Xia RY (2017) Exploitation models for different types of underground rivers in karst mountain areas southwestern China. Carsologica Snicai 36(5):609–617 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Jiang CH, Zheng L, Zhang L, Fu X, Chen SH, Chen Y, Hu J (2021) Evaluating the genesis and dominant processes of groundwater salinization by using hydrochemistry and multiple isotopes in a mining city. Environ Pollut 283:117381

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Waele J, Gutierrez F, Parise M, Plan L (2011) Geomorphology and natural hazards in karst areas: a review. Geomorphology 134:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford DC, Williams PW (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology. John Wiley Sons Ltd, West Sussex, pp 441–471

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fu FY, Lu SF, Yu YY, Xu T, Zeng WQ, Song B, Huang XN (2014) Geostatistical analysis of heavy metals in vegetable soil from Guilin City. China Adv Mater Res 1030–1032:526–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldscheider N, Chen Z, Auler AS, Bakalowicz M, Broda S, Drew D, Hartmann J, Jiang G, Moosdorf N, Stevanovic Z, Veni G (2020) Global distribution of carbonate rocks and karst water resources. Hydrogeol J 28:1661–1677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo F, Jiang G (2020) Hydro-ecological processes of hyporheic zone in a karst spring-fed pool: Effects of groundwater decline and river backflow. J Hydrol 587:124987

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo XJ, Jiang GH, Gong XP, Yin JJ, Wu X (2015) Recharge processes on typical karst slopes implied by isotopic and hydrochemical indexes in Xiaoyan Cave, Guilin. China J Hydrol 530:612–622

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han GH, Chen XB, Zhao YL (2003) The characteristics of scenic city of Guilin and its protection. Geogr Res 22(3):335–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann A, Goldscheider N, Wagener T, Lange J, Weiler M (2014) Karst water resources in a changing world: review of hydrological modeling approaches. Rev Geophys 52:218–242. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013RG000443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang F, Zhang CL, Xie YC, Li L, Cao JH (2015) Inorganic carbon flux and its source in the karst catchment of Maocun, Guilin. China Environ Earth Sci 74:1079–1089

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang QB, Qin XQ, Yang QY, Liu PY (2016) Identification of dissolved sulfate sources and the role of sulfuric acid in carbonate weathering using δ13CDIC and δ34S in karst area, northern China. Environ Earth Sci 37:178–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang QB, Qin XQ, Liu PY, Zhang LK, Su CT (2017) Impact of sulfuric and nitric acids on carbonate dissolution, and the associated deficit of CO2 uptake in the upper–middle reaches of the Wujiang River. China J Contam Hydrol 203:18–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang QB, Qin XQ, Cheng RR, Li TF, Wu HY, Liao HW (2021) Investigation of the hydrogeochemical processes and regional evolution of karst groundwater in Liulin Spring Catchment, northern China. Environ Earth Sci 80:20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang H, Liu WJ, Zhao T, Sun HG, Xu ZF (2018) Water geochemistry of rivers draining karst-dominated regions, Guangxi province, South China: Implications for chemical weathering and role of sulfuric acid. J Asian Earth Sci 163:152–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li TF, Qin XQ, Huang QB, Cheng RR, Liu PY, Zhang LK (2018) Characteristics of karst development and its impact on the yields of wells in karst peak forest region in Chongzuo city. Guangxi Guangxi Sci 25(5):1–8 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lian YQ, You GJ, Lin KR, Jiang ZC, Zhang C, Qin XQ (2015) Characteristics of climate change in southwest China karst region and their potential environmental impacts. Environ Earth Sci 74:937–944

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang FY, Xu B (2014) Discrimination of tower-, cockpit-, and non-karst landforms in Guilin, Southern China, based on morphometric characteristics. Geomorphology 204:42–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Gao X, Zhao C, Tang C, Shen H, Wang Z, Wang Y (2018) Review: characterization, evolution, and environmental issues of karst water systems in Northern China. Hydrogeology 26:1371–1385

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XC, Li SY (2014) Investigation of current water pollution of coastal villages and towns in Li River scenic spot. Adv Mater Res 1030–1032:539–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu ZH, Liu XL, Liao CJ (2008) Daytime deposition and nighttime dissolution of calcium carbonate controlled by submerged plants in a karst spring-fed pool: insights from high time-resolution monitoring of physico-chemistry of water. Environ Geol 55:1159–1168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu YR, Liu Q, Zhang FE (2013) Environmental characteristics of karst in China and their effect on engineering. Carbonates Evaporites 28:251–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahler BJ, Jiang Y, Pu J, Martin JB (2021) Editorial: Advances in hydrology and the water environment in the karst critical zone under the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities. J Hydrol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.125982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michel B (2005) Karst groundwater: a challenge for new resources. Hydrogeology 13:148–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parise M, De Waele J, Gutierrez F (2008) Engineering and environmental problems in karst-an introduction. Eng Geol 99:91–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qin Q, Clare JA, Wall G (2012) Creative destruction in China’s historic towns: Daxu and Yangshuo, Guangxi. J Destin Mark Manag 1:56–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin XQ, Song KB, Huang QB, Lan FL, Hunag CY, Huang H (2017) Groundwater occurrence characteristics and drilling well models in karst peak forest areas, Guangxi. China Carsologica Sinica 36(5):618–625 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Song K, Wang F, Yi Q, Lu S (2018) Landslide deformation behavior influenced by water level fluctuations of the Three Gorges Reservoir (China). Eng Geol 247:58–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang T (2002) Surface sediment characteristics and tower karst dissolution, Guilin, southern China. Geomorphology 49:231–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang T, Day MJ (2000) Field survey and analysis of hillslopes on tower karst in Guilin, southern China. Earth Surf Proc Land 25:1221–1235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waltham T (2008) Fengcong, fenglin, cone karst and tower karst. Cave Karst Sci 35:77–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang F, Zhang J, Lian J, Fu Z, Luo Z, Nie Y, Chen H (2022) Spatial variability of Epikarst thickness and its controlling factors in a dolomite catchment. Geoderma 428:116–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu F, Jiang SY, Liu QC, He Y, Li HL (2019) Evaluation of susceptibility of karst collapse in urban planning area of Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. China J Geol Hazard Control 30(5):83–91 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia RY, Zhu YF, Li ZL (1997) The characteristics of resources and geological environment for agriculture development in Guangxi karst areas. Guangxi Siencesc 4(2):192–195 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia RY, Tang JS, Zhu YF (2003) Sustainable utilization measures of groundwater resources in karst areas of southwest china. China Popul Resour Environ 13(1):81–85 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia RY, Zou SZ, Tang JS, Liang B, Cao J, Lu H (2017) Technicalkey points of 1:50,000 hydrogeological and environmental geology surveys in karst areas of South China. Carsologica Snicai 36(5):599–608 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ya W, Luo Z, Luo W, Ma T, Wang Y (2018) Multiple isotope geochemistry and hydrochemical monitoring of karst water in a rapidly urbanized region. J Contam Hydrol 218:44–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Q, Li Z, Ma H, Wang L, Martín JD (2016) Identification of the hydrogeochemical processes and assessment of groundwater quality using classic integrated geochemical methods in the Southeastern part of Ordos basin. Chin Environ Pollut 216:879–888

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang P, Li Y, Groves C, Hong A (2019) Coupled hydrogeochemical evaluation of a vulnerable karst aquifer impacted by septic effluent in a protected natural area. Sci Total Environ 658:1475–1484

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu S, Kuo YM, Du WY, He SY, Sun PA, Yuan YQ, Li R, Li YS (2015) The hydrochemistry properties of precipitation in karst tourism city (Guilin), Southwest China. Environ Earth Sci 74:1061–1069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan D, Drogue C, Dai A, Lao W, Cai W, Bidaux P, Razack M (1990) Hydrology of the Karst aquifer at the experimental site of Guilin in southern China. J Hydrol 115:285–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZG, Vice-chief E (1980) Karst Division, and Karst Types in China. GeoJournal 4:541–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao LJ, Yang Y, Xia RY, Shao JL, Cao JW, Fan LJ, Chen HF (2018) Evaluation of a hydrodynamic threshold in the Zhaidi karst aquifer (Guangxi Province, China). Environ Earth Sci 77:424

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was financially supported by Natural Science Fund Project (42372294) and China Geological Survey’s Project (DD20221758). Special thanks are given to Prof. Qin Xiaoqun for his valuable comments and suggestions. Hydrogeological Survey and Water Resources Assessment of the Pearl River Basin, DD20230081.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pingguo Guangxi, Karst Ecosystem, Observation and Research Station, Pingguo, 531400, China

    Zhenggong Pu, Qibo Huang, Hongwei Liao, Huaying Wu, Youjun Jiao, Fei Luo, Tengfang Li, Guangshuai Zhao & Changpei Zou

  2. Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Guangxi, Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Qixing Road 50, Guilin, 541004, China

    Zhenggong Pu, Qibo Huang, Hongwei Liao, Huaying Wu, Youjun Jiao, Fei Luo, Tengfang Li, Guangshuai Zhao & Changpei Zou

  3. International Research Centre On Karst Under the Auspices of UNESCO, National Center for International Research On Karst Dynamic System and Global Change, Guilin, 541004, China

    Zhenggong Pu, Qibo Huang, Hongwei Liao, Huaying Wu, Youjun Jiao, Fei Luo, Tengfang Li, Guangshuai Zhao & Changpei Zou

  4. School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Zhenggong Pu

Authors
  1. Zhenggong Pu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qibo Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hongwei Liao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Huaying Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Youjun Jiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Fei Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tengfang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Guangshuai Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Changpei Zou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Pu is responsible for research methods, experimental design, data collection, processing and analysis, and writing papers, Huang is responsible for the planning, design and implementation of the entire study. Guarantee the completeness and accuracy of the study. Provide economic and technical support, Li, Zou, Liao, and Zhao participated in the research design, method selection, etc., assisted in data collection, processing and analysis, and provided experimental equipment, technology, and paper writing suggestions; Wu, Luo, and Jiao provided suggestions for paper writing. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Pu. and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qibo Huang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pu, Z., Huang, Q., Liao, H. et al. Underground karst development characteristics and their influence on exploitation of karst groundwater in Guilin City, southwestern China. Carbonates Evaporites 39, 34 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-024-00939-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-024-00939-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation