Assessment of deep groundwater over-exploitation in the North China Plain

A series of environmental—geological problems have been caused by over-exploitation of deep groundwater（i.e.,confined aquifer water） in the North China Plain.In order to better understand the status of deep groundwater over-exploitation and the resultant environmental—geological problems on a regional scale,the over-exploitation of groundwater has been assessed by way of the groundwater exploitation potential coefficient（i.e.,the ratio of exploitable amount of deep groundwater to current exploitation）, cumulative land subsidence,and long-term average lowering rate of the groundwater table.There is a good correlation among the results calculated by the different methods.On a regional scale,deep groundwater has been over-exploited and there is no further exploitation potential under the current conditions.The groundwater exploitation degree index takes the exploitation in 2003 as the reference for the calculations, so the results mainly reflect the degree of current groundwater exploitation.The results of over-exploitation of deep groundwater obtained by land subsidence data and long-term average rate of depression of the water table mainly reflect environmental—geological problems caused by exploitation of deep groundwater.

Evolution Characteristics and Influence Factors of Deep Groundwater Depression Cone in North China Plain,China——A Case Studyin Cangzhou Region

The North China Plain（NCP） is one of the global hotspots of groundwater depletion, groundwater is almost the only source of water for agricultural, industrial and drinking water in this region. After long-term＇s over-exploitation of deep groundwater, there appeared several deep groundwater depression cones, such as Cangzhou cone, Dezhou cone, Hengshui cone, Tianjin cone, etc., in which the Cangzhou cone is one of the typical cones for its special geography and hydrogeology conditions. In this study, the authors intended to analyze the evolution characteristics and influence factors of deep groundwater depression cone in Cangzhou region, especially the No. III aquifer depression cone, which is the main exploitation zone in this region. Analysis of the evolution of the groundwater depression cone of the No. III aquifer group in Cangzhou region showed that this process can be divided into four stages, namely, development, stable development, rapid expansion, and gradual recovery. The shape and evolution characteristics of the depression cone at different stages are described by analyzing the evolution of the-30,-40, and-50 contours of the groundwater table, for example the closed area of water table contour of-50 m has been enlarged from 95 km2 in 1985 to 6 528.5 km2 in 2005. The dominant factors that affect the evolution characteristics at different stages are proposed. The results showed that relatively long dry periods with less precipitation, special geological and hydrogeological conditions, and sharply increased water consumption for industrial and agricultural development are the main factors that cause the formation of deep groundwater depression cones. Meanwhile, an environmental response against groundwater exploitation is presented, and rational solutions are suggested to avert water crisis.