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Characterization of regional land subsidence in Yangtze Delta, China: the example of Su-Xi-Chang area and the city of Shanghai

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Abstract

Su-Xi-Chang area and the city of Shanghai, located in the south of Yangtze Delta, China, has subsided due to groundwater overpumping. Because of the regional scale of the groundwater exploitation, cone of depression and land subsidence at present, Su-Xi-Chang area and Shanghai are treated as a single area for a land subsidence study, which could more clearly elaborate the relationships between the deformation features of hydrostratigraphic units and the different sites of the cone of depression. All hydrostratigraphic units in the study area were discussed throughout. Based on the field data, including data on compression of individual strata from groups of extensometers and groundwater levels from observation wells, the relationship between the deformation and the groundwater level was analyzed. The results indicate that the deformation features of the hydrogeologic units are greatly related to hydrogeologic properties and groundwater-level variations. An identical hydrogeologic unit may exhibit different deformation features in different locations such as along the periphery and in the center of the cone of depression. In addition, in the same location, a hydrogeologic unit also exhibits different features in different periods because of different groundwater level variations. The delay phenomenon of the sandy aquifer is not specific but occurs widely.

Résumé

La zone de Su-Xi Chang et de la ville de Shanghai, au sud du Delta de Yangtze en Chine, s’est effondrée du fait du sur-pompage de l’eau souterraine. A cause d’une exploitation de l’eau souterraine à l’échelle régionale, le cône de rabattement et l’effondrement du sol dans son état actuel, les zones de Su-Xi-Chang et de la ville de Shanghai sont traitées en une seule et même zone, qui pourrait montrer plus clairement les relations entre les aspects de la déformation des unités hydrostratigraphiques et les différents sites du cône de rabattement. Toutes les unités hydrostratigraphiques de la zone d’étude ont été traitées. Sur la base des données de terrain, et notamment les données de compression d’unités stratigraphiques individuelles provenant de groupes d’extensomètres et de niveaux piézométriques de puits d’observation, la relation entre la déformation et le niveau de l’eau a été analysée. Les résultats indiquent que les aspects de la déformation des unités hydrogéologiques sont fortement reliés aux propriétés hydrogéologiques et aux variations du niveau de l’eau. Une même unité hydrogéologique identique peut montrer différentes sortes de déformation selon la localisation, comme par exemple aux abords de la périphérie et au centre du cône de rabattement. De plus, au même endroit, une unité hydrogéologique peut montrer des comportements différents dans le temps du fait des variations du niveau de l’eau souterraine. Le phénomène de retard de l’aquifère sableux n’est pas spécifique bien qu’il existe largement dans la zone.

Resumen

El área de Su-Xi-Chang y la Ciudad de Shanghai, situadas al sur del Delta del Yangtze, China, han sufrido subsidencia debido a la sobreexplotación de las aguas subterráneas. Debido a la escala regional de la explotación de aguas subterráneas, el cono de depresión y la subsidencia del terreno actuales, el área de Su-Xi-Chang y la Ciudad de Shanghai se tratan como un área simple para el estudio de la subsidencia del terreno, que pueda elaborar más claramente las relaciones entre las características de las deformaciones de las unidades hidroestratigráficas y los diferentes lugares del cono de depresión. Todas las unidades hidroestratigráficas en el área de estudio fueron han sido discutidas completamente. Basándose en datos de campo, incluyendo datos de compresión de estratos individuales medidos por medio de grupos de extensómetros y niveles de agua subterránea tomados en puntos de observación, se analizó la relación entre la deformación y el nivel de agua subterránea. Los resultados indican que las características de la deformación de las unidades hidrogeológicas están relacionadas en gran medida con las propiedades hidrogeológicas y las variaciones del nivel de agua subterránea. Una unidad hidrogeológica idéntica puede tener diferentes deformaciones en diferentes sitios, como a lo largo de la periferia y en el centro del cono de depresión. Además, en el mismo sitio, una unidad hidrogeológica puede también mostrar diferentes comportamientos en diferentes periodos debido a las diferentes variaciones de los niveles de agua subterránea. El fenómeno de retraso del acuífero arenoso no es específico pero está generalizado.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express appreciation to the three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. We acknowledge Z.X. Wei of Institute of Geology Survey of Shanghai and J. Yu of Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province for their active collaboration. This report is financially supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China grants No. 40335045, 40702037 and the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Youth Scholar No. 40725010.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrosciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Xiaoqing Shi, Yuqun Xue, Jichun Wu & Shujun Ye

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Yun Zhang

  3. Institute of Geology Survey of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200072, China

    Zixin Wei

  4. Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210018, China

    Jun Yu

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  1. Xiaoqing Shi
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Shi, X., Xue, Y., Wu, J. et al. Characterization of regional land subsidence in Yangtze Delta, China: the example of Su-Xi-Chang area and the city of Shanghai. Hydrogeol J 16, 593–607 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0237-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0237-2

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