Changes in groundwater resources and their influencing factors in Songnen Plain, China

The Songnen Plain is a crucial agricultural area in China,and in the past 20 years,a large number of dry fields have been developed into paddy fields in order to improve land output efficiency.As a result,the effective irrigation area of agriculture has increased annually,and the conversion mode and quantity between surface water and groundwater have changed considerably.It is essential to identify the changes in groundwater resources and their influencing factors for the sustainable development of economy and society.This study evaluates groundwater resources in the Songnen Plain using the water balance method based on meteorological,hydrological and groundwater monitoring data from 2000 to 2020.The results 3 show that the groundwater resources in the region amount to 15.945 billion m with precipitation infiltration being the most important component,accounting for 73.09%,which is followed surface water irrigation infiltration and river and ditch infiltration,constituting 14.55%and 10.32%,respectively.Different factors influence groundwater resources in different periods.Compared to 1985,the increase of surface water irrigation infiltration is the primary factor responsible for the increase of groundwater resources,while other recharge sources have decreased during the same period.Compared to 2005,all groundwater resources have increased,with the increase of surface water irrigation infiltration and river channel infiltration being the primary factors.

Groundwater and environmental challenges in Asia

Asia stands out as the most populous and geographically diverse region globally.The pressing issues of water resource development and the resulting ecological impacts are exacerbated by the region's rapid population growth and economic expansion.Groundwater,a vital source of water in Asia,faces significant disparities in distribution and suffers from unsustainable exploitation practices.This study applies groundwater system theory and categorizes Asia into 11 primary groundwater systems and 36 secondary ones,based on intercontinental geological structures,climate,terrain,and hydrogeological characteristics.As of the end of 2010,Asia's assessed groundwater resources totalled 4.677×10^(9) m^(3)/a,with exploitable resources amounting to 3.274×10^(9) m^(3)/a.By considering the geological environmental impacts of groundwater development and the distinctive characteristics of terrain and landforms,six categories of effect zones with varying distribution patterns are identified.The current research on Asia's groundwater resources,environmental dynamics,and human impacts aims to provide a theoretical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and environmental conservation in the region.

Groundwater Systems and Resources in the Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large-scale sedimentary basin in northwestern China. The hydrostratigraphic units from bottom to top are pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks, Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks, Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic clastic rocks and Cenozoic deposits. The total thickness is up to 6000 m. Three groundwater systems are present in the Ordos Basin, based on the geological settings, i.e. the karst groundwater system, the Cretaceous clastic groundwater system and the Quaternary groundwater system. This paper describes systematically the groundwater flow patterns of each system and overall assessment of groundwater resources.

Risk Analysis on Groundwater Resources Carrying Capacity Based on Blind Number Theory

Blind numbers of evaluation indices about groundwater resources carrying capacity are defined from the concomitancy of randomness, fuzziness, grey property and unascertainment of groundwater system. Based on fuzzy theory, a comprehensive evaluation model on groundwater resources carrying capacity is constructed with blind information. Then a risk assessment model of surcharge about groundwater resources carrying capacity is established on blind reliability theory. The probable value ＂＊＂ matrix of fuzzy membership degree about carrying capacity corresponding to each judgment level can be obtained with the aid of blind algorithm as well as the subjective reliability ＂×＂ matrix. And then a graph of ＂groundwater carrying capacity v.s. accumulative reliability＂ can be gained Based on the graph, fuzzy membership degree of groundwater resources carrying capacity to each judgment level under different risk probability can be got. Thus, a comparatively reasonable judgment to groundwater resources carrying capacity might be obtained, with comprehensive analysis to the state of society, economy technology and ecology.

An assessment of the carrying capacity of groundwater resources in North China Plain region–Analysis of potential for development

Over-exploitation of groundwater in North China Plain(NCP) has resulted in a series of eco-environment problems. Sustainable use of groundwater resources in NCP, in particular management of groundwater resource carrying capacity(GRCC), faces an unprecedented challenge. Here we define GRCC, and a new assessment method is tentatively proposed and applied to evaluate GRCC based on the whole NCP, city administrative units and county administrative units. Our study divided the NCP into three zones, i.e. non-overexploited non-overloaded zone(NNZ), overexploited but non-overloaded zone(ONZ), and overexploited overloaded zone(OOZ). Results confirmed 27.6% of counties belonged to NNZ. However, 58.9% of counties and NCP as a whole belonged to ONZ, and 13.5% of counties belonged to OOZ. Spatially, NNZs were mainly distributed in Beijing, parts of eastern coastal cities and Henan Province. OOZs were mostly distributed in middle-eastern part of Cangzhou, parts of Dezhou, Tianjin and Binzhou, and the remaining areas belonged to ONZs. We suggest two approaches for enhancing GRCC, i) increasing the amount of available groundwater and ii) improving the water use efficiency. An increase of 11.0 billion cubic meters to the available groundwater levels combined with water use efficiency improvements up to 479 CNY per cubic meter of the world mean, the gross domestic product(GDP) sustained by groundwater in the NCP could reach 11.1 trillion CNY and maintain a 20 years of GDP development assuming the current rate of growth.

Exploitation of groundwater resources and protection of wetland in the Yuqia Basin

In Yuqia Basin, the climate is arid and the ecologic environment is fragile, and shortage of water resources has seriously restricted the sustainable development of local economy. In order to meet the needs of industrial and domestic water in the Yuqia Basin, numerical simulation was used to evaluate the groundwater resources and potential for exploitation. The results showed that the mathematical model and calculation parameters used were mainly in accordance with practical situation. The calculated value of the underground water level is consistent with measured value during the period of identification and validation. The total recharge of groundwater resources was 22.02×10~4 m^3/d, and the total drainage was 21.95×10~4 m^3/d at present. The Yuqia River leakage is the main supply source of groundwater. There is no significant effect on area of wetland when water source place exploited by 2.5×10~4 m^3/d at alluvial-diluvial fan of Yuqia River. After long-term exploitation, the spring flow reduces from 1.42×10~4 m^3/d to 1.01×10~4 m^3/d and wetland area reduces by 32.7% of original area. The calculation of water balance shows that it is safe to the Yuqia Basin, Da Qiadam Lake, the Mahai Basin at downstream of Yuqia River and wetland under the condition of water source place exploited by 2.5×10~4 m^3/d.

Climate change and groundwater resources in Myanmar

Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia within the Mekong River Basin. The estimated annual surface and groundwater potentials are 1 081 km^3 and 494 km^3, respectively. Based on geological conditions, 11 different types of aquifers have been classified in Myanmar. The recent alluvial formation, Irrawaddy formation, Upper Pegu Group and Plateau limestone formation are the major water-bearing geologic formations of the country. In Myanmar, 89% of the groundwater is used for agriculture, approximately 8% is used for domestic consumption, and 3% is used for industrial purposes. Climate change projections for Myanmar from 2001 to 2100 predict general increases in temperature, clear-sky days, rainfall variability and flooding risks and a greater occurrence and intensity of extreme weather events across the country. Additional technology and investments are required to achieve groundwater resource security in response to climate changes. In addition, methods of ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources must be implemented via collaborations with other countries and international sources.

Stratigraphic Data and Groundwater Resources in the Coastal Sedimentary Basin of the Pointe-Noire Region (Republic of Congo)

The synthesis of geological and petroleum research undertaken in the coastal Sedimentary Basin of the Pointe-Noire region enabled the establishment of a lithostratigraphic scale. It has been observed that the order in which the series observed in outcrop and those encountered by deep wells succeed each other has allowed a value to be given to this relative scale. The study area corresponds to a longitudinal tectonic accident, fault or flexure. It belongs to the Cretaceous and Tertiary coastal sedimentary basin covered by the Plio-Pleistocene age formations (series of circuses), formed of highly permeable sands comprising multiple resistant horizons that store large bodies of water whose reserves are considered very important. Hydrographic network is composed of four main basins with a mediocre size. The quality of this groundwater is considered to be satisfactory for household consumption, but the sustainable management of these reserves requires constant checks on their quality as well as on the level of the reserves. All these resources put the agglomeration of Pointe-Noire close to large exploitable water reserves that meet the need for drinking water, even if, on the whole, the agglomeration is still experiencing many difficulties in terms of its drinking water supply.

Groundwater system division and compilation of Groundwater Resources Map of Asia

Based on landform, climate, river system, geological structure and hydrogeological structure and from the perspective of systematology, the groundwater system of Asia can be divided into 36 secondary groundwater systems under 11 primary ones by the intercontinental scale. A scientific evaluation of groundwater resources in Asia can be secured using water balance method and runoff modulus method through water circulating analysis and feature study of groundwater system on the basis of groundwater system division of Asia. With natural recharge(runoff) modulus(10~4m^3/km^2·a), the total amount of water resources and those available for exploitation of primary groundwater system can be evaluated-continuous aquifers in plains and basins contain 242.465× 10~9 m^3/a of water, 169.725× 10~9 m^3/a of which is recoverable; discrete aquifers contain 186.695× 10~9 m^3/a, 130.686× 10~9 m^3/a of which is available for exploitation; other scattered aquifers contain 38.614× 10~9 m^3/a, 27.029× 10~9 m^3/a of which could be exploited. In total, there is 467.774× 10~9 m^3/a of groundwater with 327.440× 10~9 m^3/a recoverable. The groundwater map of Asia is compiled according to groundwater system division, evaluation of the total amount and aquifer types to reflect the macro features of groundwater resources in Asia, laying a scientific foundation for exploitation and management of water resources here and for avoiding disputes over groundwater resources and environment among Asian countries.

Study on functions and rational allocation of Shule River Basin groundwater resources

Based on Investigation and Assessment on Rational Exploitation and Utilization of Groundwater Resources in Typical Areas of the Hexi Corridor, the thesis studies on groundwater and environmental problems arising from the large-scale agricultural development projects in Shule River Basin. The thesis analyzes problems in exploiting and utilizing water resources, defines the function zoning of groundwater resources in key areas and evaluates them. Finally, the thesis uses three-dimensional unsteady flow simulation and regional social and economic development plan to study on the allocation of groundwater in Shule River Basin. A proposal for rational allocation of Shule River Basin water resources has been put forward.

Dynamic evaluation of groundwater resources in Zhangye Basin

Groundwater resource is vital to the sustainable development of socio-economics in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China. An estimation of the groundwater resources variation in Zhangye Basin was made during 1985-2013 based on long-term groundwater observation data and geostatistical method. The results show that from 1985 to 2013, groundwater storage exhibited tremendous dissimilarity on temporal and spatial scale for the whole Zhangye Basin, especially before and after implementation of the water diversion policy. Trend of groundwater storage varied from quick to slow decline or increase. The accumulative groundwater storage decreased nearly 47.52~ 108 m3, and annual average depletion rate reached 1.64x 108 m3/a. Among which, the accumulative groundwater storage of the river and well water mixed irrigation district decreased by 37.48x 108 m3, accounting for about 78.87% of the total groundwater depletion of the Zhangye Basin. Accumulative depletion of groundwater storage varied in respective irrigation districts. Though groundwater resources depletion rate slowed down from 2005, the overall storage in the whole basin and re- spective districts during 1985-2013 was still in a severe deficit such that, the groundwater resource was in a rather negative balance, which could threaten the local aquifer. This is the joint effect of climate change and human activities, however human activities, such as water diversion policy and groundwater exploitation, became increasingly intense. Our research results could provide a reasonable estimation for the groundwater balance in Zhangye Basin, providing a scientific basis for water resources unified planning and, this method can provide a relatively reliable way of estimation for large scale groundwater resources.

Climate change and groundwater resources in Thailand

The average temperature of Thailand is projected to increase by 2-3 °C, and the annual rainfall is projected to increase by 25% and up to 50% in certain areas. The climate change in future is expected to provide changes in hydrological cycle and therefore impacts the groundwater resources too. In this study, we analyzed the general climate change trends and reviewed the groundwater conditions of Thailand. The climate changes, hydrologic variability and the impact of climate change on groundwater sustainability are also discussed based on a national groundwater monitoring program. Currently, there are 864 groundwater monitoring stations and 1 524 monitoring wells installed in Thailand. Moreover, the impact of climate change on groundwater-dependent systems and sectors is also discussed according to certain case studies, such as saline water intrusion in coastal and inland areas. Managing aquifer recharge and other projects are examples of groundwater adaptation project for the future.

Progress on the mapping of groundwater resources and environment in Asia

With the ever-accelerating economic and social growth in Asia,the sustainable development of environment,economy and society of Asia and beyond,is severely constrained by a series of grave issues,such as global climate change,population explosion,resource shortage,and rampant disasters.The need for study on groundwater resources and environment in Asia as part of the efforts to tackle global climate change looms even larger.In analyzing how global changes of modern times and human activities are related to primary geo-environment,the groundwater environment serial maps of Asia introduces a new concept for mapping geo-environment of Asia that connects the geological background to groundwater environment.The serial maps reveal the geographic environment that is closely related to groundwater,the special-temporal features of the geo-environment and how it is distributed.The study is vital not only to the harmonious development among environment,economy and society as well as ecological progress in Asia,but also to the strategic requirements posed by the'One Belt One Road'.

The impact of climate change on groundwater quantity and quality in a semi-arid environment:a case study of Ain Azel plain(Northeast Algeria)

In the last decade,North Africa has witnessed significant population growth,particularly those bordering the Mediterranean Sea.This led to increased demand for groundwater,which is an essential source for various water uses such as drinking water supplies and irrigation.Generally,human activities play a crucial role in the different quantitative and qualitative changes in groundwater.Now,climate changes such as a decrease in precipitation have also led to a shortage of water resources and a decline in the groundwater table.This paper presents the impact of climate changes on groundwater resources in the Ain Azel region,Setif,northeastern Algeria.The analysis of longterm spatiotemporal variability in rainfall over 63 years(1958–2021)revealed a significant decline in groundwater recharge,especially after 2013.In contrast,the Pettitt and Mann–Kendall tests show increased temperatures with breaks between 1984 and 1986.A piezometric analysis of the alluvial aquifer demonstrated a significant decline in groundwater levels in the last 20 years.Hydrochemical analysis showed that groundwater in the region is dominated by Ca–Mg–Cl water type,which indicates the presence of water salinity phenomenon.Water Quality Index(WQI)analysis showed the deterioration of groundwater in the area,which may be caused by several factors:brine intrusion from the Salt Lake(Sebkha)in the north;the dissolution of evaporites(Triassic)and/or anthropogenic sources of agricultural and industrial origin.Our findings provide an overview summarizing the state of groundwater,which will help improve groundwater resource management in the region in the coming years.