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Evolution of Groundwater in Yinchuan Oasis at the Upper Reaches of the Yellow River after Water-Saving Transformation and Its Driving Factors

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  • Lina Mi

    (School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
    Efficient Uses of Water Resources in Arid Modern Agriculture Ministry of Educational, Engineering Research Center, Yinchuan 750021, China)

  • Juncang Tian

    (School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
    Efficient Uses of Water Resources in Arid Modern Agriculture Ministry of Educational, Engineering Research Center, Yinchuan 750021, China)

  • Jianning Si

    (Groundwater Monitoring Department, Hydrological and Water Resources Monitoring and early Warning Center of Ningxia, Yinchuan 750001, China)

  • Yuchun Chen

    (Groundwater Monitoring Department, Hydrological and Water Resources Monitoring and early Warning Center of Ningxia, Yinchuan 750001, China)

  • Yinghai Li

    (School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
    Efficient Uses of Water Resources in Arid Modern Agriculture Ministry of Educational, Engineering Research Center, Yinchuan 750021, China)

  • Xinhe Wang

    (Comprehensive Study Office, Ningxia Hydro-environmental Geological Survey Institute, Yinchuan 750021, China)

Abstract

In recent years, the amount of water diverted from the Yellow River has been decreasing year by year, which is the biggest problem for the development and utilization of water resources in Yinchuan Oasis (YCO). Through the implementation of the Agricultural Water-saving Transformation Project (AWSTP), water resource shortage in the YCO has been alleviated greatly, and ecological degradation problems, such as soil salinization, have also been effectively addressed. However, how the shallow groundwater in YCO has changed after the AWSTP remains unclear. This paper, based on a lot of statistical data and measured data, and by using statistical and geostatistical methods, reveals the evolution of shallow groundwater in YCO in the past 18 years (2000–2017), since the implementation of the AWSTP and its driving factors, from two aspects: groundwater dynamics and groundwater quality. The results show that compared with the initial stage of AWSTP, the amount of water diverted from the Yellow River for the YCO reduced by 36%, and accordingly, the average groundwater depth in the irrigation period increased from 0.98 m to 2.01 m, representing an increase of 1.03 m, and an average annual increase of 6cm. Moreover, the depth increase in the irrigation period is higher than that in the non-irrigation period, and that in the Northern Irrigation Area (NIA) is higher than that in the Southern Irrigation Area (SIA). Furthermore, the groundwater storage is decreasing at a rate of 855.6 × 10 4 m 3 ·a −1 , and the cumulative storage has reduced by nearly 1.54 × 10 8 m 3 , indicating that it is in a long-term negative equilibrium. In terms of temporal and spatial distribution of total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater, the TDS in SIA and NIA decreased from 1.41 g·L −1 and 1.84 g·L −1 to 1.15 g·L −1 and 1.77 g·L −1 , respectively. The saline water area with a TDS above 5 g·L −1 and the freshwater area with a TDS below 1 g·L −1 decreased by 16.6 km 2 and 334.4 km 2 , respectively, while the brackish water area with a TDS of 1~3 g·L −1 increased by 492 km 2 . The spatial and temporal distribution heterogeneity of TDS in groundwater is reduced and is in a slight desalinized trend overall. However, the groundwater in some areas, such as the Xingqing District, Jinfeng District, Xixia District, Yongning County, Helan County and Huinong District of Yinchuan Oasis, is at risk of further salinization. Due to the agricultural water-saving caused by the reduction of water amount diverted from the Yellow River, the groundwater recharge in YCO was reduced by 36.3%, which, together with measures such as drainage, groundwater exploitation, and industrial restructuring, drives the groundwater circulation in the YCO to a new equilibrium. This study can help us to understand the influencing process and mechanism of agricultural water-saving on groundwater systems in YCO and provide reference for efficient use and optimal allocation and management of agricultural water resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Lina Mi & Juncang Tian & Jianning Si & Yuchun Chen & Yinghai Li & Xinhe Wang, 2020. "Evolution of Groundwater in Yinchuan Oasis at the Upper Reaches of the Yellow River after Water-Saving Transformation and Its Driving Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1304-:d:322037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu Xu & Guanhua Huang & Zhongyi Qu & Luis Pereira, 2011. "Using MODFLOW and GIS to Assess Changes in Groundwater Dynamics in Response to Water Saving Measures in Irrigation Districts of the Upper Yellow River Basin," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(8), pages 2035-2059, June.
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