Abstract
Groundwater in the Yinchuan Plain (China) is a critical domestic resource that is also used for agricultural irrigation and to maintain ecological environments, among other purposes. Recent research has shown that ineffective planning of water resources, along with large-scale groundwater pumping (mining) has led to ecological problems. To further analyze the characteristics of the regional groundwater flow patterns, and guide the development and utilization of water resources, potentiometric, hydrochemical, and isotopic data were collected along a 60-km transect that crosses the middle Yinchuan Plain. The data were used to develop a two-dimensional conceptual model of the sources, flow patterns, and geochemical evolution of groundwater from the Helan Mountains in the west across the Yellow River in the east. An important component of the model is that in the process of groundwater flow from west to east, the flow direction changes due to the influence of a thick fine-grained sandy-clay unit and long-term groundwater pumping. Local lakes and the shallow groundwater system are recharged by water from the Yellow River. Geochemically, water within the proluvial deposits exhibits relatively low concentrations of total dissolved solids. Further east, the water gradually becomes brackish. The geochemical composition of the shallow groundwater beneath the fluviolacustrine plain west of the Yellow River is also controlled by evaporation, precipitation and cation exchange processes. In other areas, groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by water–rock interactions and cation exchange. This study enhances understanding of groundwater flow in the region, and provides information critical to water resources development and management.
Résumé
Les eaux souterraines de La Plaine de Yinshuan (Chine) est une ressource domestique essentielle, qui est également utilisée pour l’irrigation agricole et le maintien des milieux écologiques, entre autres objectifs. Une recherche récente a montré qu’une planification inefficace des ressources en eau, associée à un pompage d’eau souterraine sur une grande échelle (exploitation minière) a conduit à des problèmes écologiques. Afin d’analyser plus en détail les caractéristiques des modèles régionaux d’écoulement d’eau souterraine, et de guider l’exploitation et l’utilisation des ressources en eau, des données potentiométriques, hydrogéochimiques et isotopiques ont été collectées le long d’un transect de 60 km traversant la Plaine de Yinchuan par le milieu. Les données ont été utilisées pour développer un modèle conceptuel à deux dimensions des ressources, des schémas d’écoulement et de l’évolution géochimique des eaux souterraines depuis les Monts Helan à l’ouest, jusqu’au-delà du Fleuve Jaune à l’est Un élément important du modèle est que dans la progression de l’écoulement souterrain d’ouest en est, sa direction change en raison de l’influence d’une épaisse unité d’argile sableuse à grains fins et d’un pompage à long terme des eaux souterraines. Les lacs de la région et le système d’eaux souterraines peu profondes sont rechargés par l’eau en provenance du Fleuve Jaune. Sur le plan géochimique, l’eau des dépôts proluviaux montre des concentrations relativement basses en solides dissous totaux. Plus vers l’est, l’eau devient progressivement saumâtre. La composition géochimique des eaux souterraines peu profondes sous la plaine fluvio-lacustre à l’ouest du Fleuve Jaune est également contrôlée par l’évaporation, les précipitations et les processus d’échange de cations. Dans d’autres régions, la chimie des eaux souterraines est principalement contrôlée par les interactions eau–roche et les échanges de cations. L’étude améliore la compréhension de l’écoulement des eaux souterraines dans la région et apporte une information essentielle pour l’exploitation et la gestion des ressources en eau.
Resumen
Las aguas subterráneas de la llanura de Yinchuan (China) son un recurso nacional crítico que también se utiliza para el riego agrícola y para mantener los ambientes ecológicos, entre otros fines. Investigaciones recientes han demostrado que la planificación inadecuada de los recursos hídricos, junto con el bombeo de aguas subterráneas en gran escala (minería), ha dado lugar a diversos problemas ecológicos. Para analizar con más detalle las características de los esquemas regionales de flujo de las aguas subterráneas y orientar el desarrollo y la utilización de los recursos hídricos, se obtuvieron datos potenciométricos, hidroquímicos e isotópicos a lo largo de una transecta de 60 km que atraviesa la llanura media de Yinchuan. Los datos se utilizaron para desarrollar un modelo conceptual bidimensional de las fuentes, los esquemas de flujo y la evolución geoquímica de las aguas subterráneas en las Helan Mountains, al oeste, a través del río Amarillo, al este. Un componente importante del modelo es que, en el proceso de flujo de agua subterránea desde el oeste al este la dirección del flujo cambia debido a la influencia de una unidad arenoarcillosa de grano fino y grueso y al bombeo de agua subterránea a largo plazo. Los lagos locales y el sistema de aguas subterráneas poco profundas se recargan con el agua del río Amarillo. Geoquímicamente, el agua dentro de los depósitos proveniente de los aluviales exhibe concentraciones relativamente bajas de sólidos totales disueltos. Más al este, el agua se vuelve gradualmente salobre. La composición geoquímica de las aguas subterráneas poco profundas que se encuentran debajo de la llanura fluviolacustre al oeste del río Amarillo también está controlada por los procesos de evaporación, precipitación e intercambio de cationes. En otras zonas, la química de las aguas subterráneas está controlada principalmente por las interacciones agua–roca y el intercambio de cationes. Este estudio mejora la comprensión del flujo de las aguas subterráneas en la región y proporciona información fundamental para el desarrollo y la gestión de los recursos hídricos.
摘要
银川平原(中国)地下水除作为重要的生活水源外, 在农业灌溉和维持生态平衡等方面也发挥着重要作用。最近的研究表明, 水资源的不合理规划以及大规模的地下水开采已经导致了生态问题。为了进一步分析区域地下水流动特征, 指导水资源开发和利用。在横穿银川平原中部的60 km长的剖面上采集了电位、水化学和同位素数据, 并基于这些数据建立了自西部贺兰山至东部黄河的地下水的来源, 流动特征和水化学演化的二维概念模型。该模型的一个重要组成部分是, 地下水在自西向东径流的过程中, 由于受到巨厚的细颗粒的砂质粘土层和长期的地下水开采的影响, 地下水的流动方向发生了改变。当地湖泊和浅层地下水主要接受黄河水的补给。从地球化学角度看, 洪积层中的地下水呈现出相对较低的溶解性总固体浓度, 再向东, 地下水逐渐变得微咸。黄河西部河湖积平原下方的浅层地下水地球化学组成也受蒸发、降水和阳离子交换作用控制。在其他地区, 地下水化学主要受水-岩相互作用和阳离子交换作用控制。这项研究增强了对该地区地下水流动的了解, 并为水资源开发和管理提供了至关重要的信息。
Resumo
A água subterrânea na Planície Yinchuan (China) é um recurso doméstico crítico que também é usado para irrigação agrícola e para manter ambientes ecológicos, entre outros fins. Pesquisas recentes mostraram que o planejamento ineficaz dos recursos hídricos, junto com o bombeamento de água subterrânea em grande escala (mineração), levou a problemas ecológicos. Para analisar melhor as características dos padrões regionais de fluxo de água subterrânea e orientar o desenvolvimento e a utilização dos recursos hídricos, dados potenciométricos, hidroquímicos e isotópicos foram coletados ao longo de um transecto de 60 km que atravessa a Planície Yinchuan central. Os dados foram usados para desenvolver um modelo conceitual bidimensional das fontes, padrões de fluxo e evolução geoquímica da água subterrânea das Montanhas Helan à oeste, e do Rio Amarelo ao leste. Um componente importante do modelo é que, no processo de fluxo da água subterrânea de oeste para leste, a direção do fluxo muda devido à influência de uma unidade de argila arenosa de granulação fina espessa e do bombeamento de água subterrânea a longo prazo. Os lagos locais e o sistema de águas subterrâneas rasas são recarregados pela água do Rio Amarelo. Geoquimicamente, a água dentro dos depósitos proluviais exibe concentrações relativamente baixas de sólidos totais dissolvidos. Mais a leste, a água torna-se gradualmente salobra. A composição geoquímica da água subterrânea rasa, abaixo da planície fluviolacustre e à oeste do Rio Amarelo, também é controlada por processos de evaporação, precipitação e troca catiônica. Em outras áreas, a química da água subterrânea é controlada principalmente por interações água–rocha e troca catiônica. Este estudo aumenta a compreensão do fluxo de água subterrânea na região e fornece informações críticas para o desenvolvimento e gestão dos recursos hídricos.
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Funding
This research project was financially supported by Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia (2018AAC03205), “The Investigation and Evaluation on the Development and Utilization of Groundwater Resources and the Effect of Ecological Environment Protection Along the Yellow Ecological Economic Zone” Project of Ningxia Finance Department (6400201901273), and The Third Batch of Ningxia Youth Talents Supporting Program, and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41672241).
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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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Li, Y., Wu, P., Huang, XQ. et al. Groundwater sources, flow patterns, and hydrochemistry of the Central Yinchuan Plain, China. Hydrogeol J 29, 591–606 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02286-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02286-9