Nutrient Budgets,Dynamics and Storm Effects in a Eutrophic,Stratified Baltic Lake

Between 1989 and 1998 the small eutrophic stratified Lake Belau was investigated intensively and multidisciplinarily. This article is a short, comprehensive summary and re‐evaluation of the hydrochemistry of the lake, with focus on nitrogen and phosphorus. In several aspects the lake can be regarded as a typical example of the glacial north German lakes. The 1960's and 1970's are characterised by heavy nutrient inputs and fast eutrophication. During the last two decades the external nutrient load, especially the phosphorus load into Lake Belau was significantly reduced. But phosphorus‐rich sediments and large areas with summerly anoxic sediment surface conditions cause intensive release of phosphorus from older deeper sediment layers. Annual budgets reveal that despite an average sediment accumulation of 3 mm a^?1 the lake has lost its function as net phosphorus sink and it is very likely that internal eutrophication by the sediments will keep the lake in its eutrophic state during the next decades. Despite that, monthly budgets of five vertical layers show that the main phosphorus supplier for the phosphorus depleted epilimnion during summer is the creek Alte Schwentine. The annual nitrogen budget indicates groundwater and interflow water as well as atmospheric input as additional important nitrogen sources. 36% (98 μmol m ^?2 h^?1 N) of all nitrogen input is lost to atmosphere mainly due to denitrification. The example of a heavy storm shows that about 10% of the annual nitrogen loss to the atmosphere can take place during a single day and in form of ammonia. The storm further made obvious that these unpredictable events can have strong impact on nutrient cycling and ecology in Lake Belau and the lake can become an unexpected nutrient source for downstream systems.     

Interaction of groundwater with Lake Urmia in Iran

Being a large hyper‐saline water body, Lake Urmia in north‐western Iran deals with a gradual decline in its water level. Most of the studies on Lake Urmia have neglected the groundwater issue. In this study, as a direct approach, the interaction between the groundwater level and the lake water level is investigated both in time and space by analysing the groundwater data compiled from observation wells surrounding the lake. Baseflow separation is considered as an indirect approach to understand the groundwater contribution to the river network flowing into the lake. It is determined that about 70% of run‐off in the rivers draining into the lake is born in the form of baseflow. An interaction between the lake and the groundwater storage is clearly seen from the analysis to conclude that groundwater has a potential to recharge the lake. Thus, the shrinkage of water level in Lake Urmia could be expected to accelerate with the drastic use of groundwater, which will be a disaster with no return.     

Field measurement and associated controlling factors for ground water seepage in a piedmont impoundment

Knowledge of groundwater seepage to and from lakes can be an important component of scientific investigations involving water and geochemical budgets. Measurements of groundwater seepage at Lake Anna, a man-made lake in central Virginia, show that inflow to the lake occurs even under dry summer conditions. Seepage rates were found to be correlated with the elevation of the near-shore water table, which responded rapidly to rainfall events in the fractured rock terrane in which Lake Anna is located. Seepage rates did not decline uniformly with distance offshore. This result contrasts with those for lakes underlain by relatively homogeneous porous media where measurements generally confirm the prediction that seepage rates drop off exponentially with distance from shore. The along shore variability of seepage rates in Lake Anna was related to a topographic index that is used to describe drainage from hillslopes. This suggests that seepage in impoundments such as Lake Anna may be strongly controlled by drainage pathways that pre-date the lake.     

The Role of Groundwater for Lake‐Water Quality and Quantification of N Seepage

The heterogeneous nature of both groundwater discharge to a lake (inflow) and nitrate concentrations in groundwater can lead to significant errors in calculations of nutrient loading. Therefore, an integrated approach, combining groundwater flow and transport modelling with observed nitrate and ammonium groundwater concentrations, was used to estimate nitrate loading from a catchment via groundwater to an oligotrophic flow‐through lake (Lake Hampen, Denmark). The transport model was calibrated against three vertical nitrate profiles from multi‐level wells and 17 shallow wells bordering a crop field near the lake. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater discharging to the lake from the crop field were on average 70 times higher than in groundwater from forested areas. The crop field was responsible for 96% of the total nitrate loading (16.2 t NO₃/year) to the lake even though the field only covered 4.5% of the catchment area. Consequently, a small change in land use in the catchment will have a large effect on the lake nutrient balance and possible lake restoration. The study is the first known attempt to estimate the decrease of nitrate loading via groundwater to a seepage lake when an identified catchment source (a crop field) is removed.     

湖北长湖富营养化状况及时空变化(2012-2013年)

为评估长湖水体富营养化程度,2012-2013年分4个季度对全湖区20个采样点的物理、化学和生物要素进行监测,在评价水质现状的基础上采用综合营养状况指数法和浮游植物细胞丰度指数法综合评价水体营养状况,并应用典型相关分析(CCA)方法揭示水体富营养化状况与湖泊理化要素之间的典型相关性.结果显示:4个季节长湖全湖区的水质均处于地表水IV类~劣V类水标准;综合营养状态指数值在49.54~82.55之间,浮游植物细胞丰度在2.88×106~61.73×106cells/L之间,均显示其处于富营养化状态;长湖富营养化状况的分布呈现一定的时空差异性;CCA分析显示,长湖理化要素变量可解释68.6%的水体富营养化状况变量的变异,影响其富营养化状况的主要理化因素有水体总磷、总氮、溶解氧、亚硝态氮、硝态氮浓度,水深和沉积物总磷、总氮含量.长湖水体富营养化主要是由于外源的磷污染,其次是氮污染,富营养化最严重的夏、秋季浮游植物的生长主要受氮营养限制,而冬、春季则部分受磷营养限制,部分属于过渡类型.因此,建议大力削减围网/围栏养殖量,同时考虑结合水生植物栽种等生态工程建设措施以降低长湖水体发生严重富营养化的风险,并进一步改善长湖的水质现状.     

Groundwater – the disregarded component in lake water and nutrient budgets. Part 2: effects of groundwater on nutrients

Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) transports nutrients from a catchment to a lake, which may fuel eutrophication, one of the major threats to our fresh waters. Unfortunately, LGD has often been disregarded in lake nutrient studies. Most measurement techniques are based on separate determinations of volume and nutrient concentration of LGD: Loads are calculated by multiplying seepage volumes by concentrations of exfiltrating water. Typically low phosphorus (P) concentrations of pristine groundwater often are increased due to anthropogenic sources such as fertilizer, manure or sewage. Mineralization of naturally present organic matter might also increase groundwater P. Reducing redox conditions favour P transport through the aquifer to the reactive aquifer‐lake interface. In some cases, large decreases of P concentrations may occur at the interface, for example, due to increased oxygen availability, while in other cases, there is nearly no decrease in P. The high reactivity of the interface complicates quantification of groundwater‐borne P loads to the lake, making difficult clear differentiation of internal and external P loads to surface water. Anthropogenic sources of nitrogen (N) in groundwater are similar to those of phosphate. However, the environmental fate of N differs fundamentally from P because N occurs in several different redox states, each with different mobility. While nitrate behaves essentially conservatively in most oxic aquifers, ammonium's mobility is similar to that of phosphate. Nitrate may be transformed to gaseous N₂ in reducing conditions and permanently removed from the system. Biogeochemical turnover of N is common at the reactive aquifer‐lake interface. Nutrient loads from LGD were compiled from the literature. Groundwater‐borne P loads vary from 0.74 to 2900 mg PO₄‐P m^?2 year^?1; for N, these loads vary from 0.001 to 640 g m^?2 year^?1. Even small amounts of seepage can carry large nutrient loads due to often high nutrient concentrations in groundwater. Large spatial heterogeneity, uncertain areal extent of the interface and difficult accessibility make every determination of LGD a challenge. However, determinations of LGD are essential to effective lake management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial patterns of groundwater‐lake exchange – implications for acid neutralization processes in an acid mine lake

Exchange of groundwater and lake water with typically quite different chemical composition is an important driver for biogeochemical processes at the groundwater‐lake interface, which can affect the water quality of lakes. This is of particular relevance in mine lakes where anoxic and slightly acidic groundwater mixes with oxic and acidic lake water (pH < 3). To identify links between groundwater‐lake exchange rates and acid neutralization processes in the sediments, exchange rates were quantified and related to pore‐water pH, sulfate and iron concentrations as well as sulfate reduction rates within the sediment. Seepage rates measured with seepage meters (?2.5 to 5.8 L m^‐2 d^‐1) were in reasonable agreement with rates inverted from modeled chloride profiles (?1.8 to 8.1 L m^‐2 d^‐1). Large‐scale exchange patterns were defined by the (hydro)geologic setting but superimposed by smaller scale variations caused by variability in sediment texture. Sites characterized by groundwater upwelling (flow into the lake) and sites where flow alternated between upwelling and downwelling were identified. Observed chloride profiles at the alternating sites reflected the transient flow regime. Seepage direction, as well as seepage rate, were found to influence pH, sulfate and iron profiles and the associated sulfate reduction rates. Under alternating conditions proton‐consuming processes, for example, sulfate reduction, were slowed. In the uppermost layer of the sediment (max. 5 cm), sulfate reduction rates were significantly higher at upwelling (>330 nmol g^‐1 d^‐1) compared to alternating sites (<220 nmol g^‐1 d^‐1). Although differences in sulfate reduction rates could not be explained solely by different flux rates, they were clearly related to the prevailing groundwater‐lake exchange patterns and the associated pH conditions. Our findings strongly suggest that groundwater‐lake exchange has significant effects on the biogeochemical processes that are coupled to sulfate reduction such as acidity retention and precipitation of iron sulfides. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2016—2020年长江中游典型湖泊水质和富营养化演变特征及其驱动因素

“十三五”时期,长江流域水环境质量改善明显,但湖泊水质和富营养化状况改善滞后. 长江中游作为我国淡水湖泊集中分布区域之一,部分湖泊存在水环境质量恶化和富营养化加重问题. 本文以长江中游区域国家开展监测的洪湖、斧头湖、梁子湖、大通湖、洞庭湖和鄱阳湖这6个典型湖泊为研究对象,科学评价其2016—2020年水质和富营养化时空变化特征及关键驱动因素,探讨其成因及治理对策. 结果表明,“十三五”时期长江中游湖泊水质和富营养化程度存在较大差异,与2016年相比,2020年大通湖水质改善最为明显,梁子湖水质变差,总磷是影响长江中游湖泊水质类别的主要因子; 洪湖富营养程度恶化最为严重,斧头湖次之,TLI(SD)对长江中游湖泊富营养化评价贡献最大. 目前长江中游湖泊呈有机污染加重和叶绿素a浓度升高现象,洪湖、斧头湖和梁子湖主要与氮、磷营养盐浓度升高有关,而大通湖、洞庭湖和鄱阳湖受水文过程、流域纳污量和湖泊管理等非营养盐因素影响较大. 总氮和总磷仍然是影响“十三五”时期长江中游湖泊水质和富营养化的最主要驱动力,且各湖泊总氮和总磷浓度变化均具有较强正相关性,建议开展河湖氮、磷标准衔接工作,提出河湖氮、磷标准限值或考核目标,以完善河湖水环境质量标准和生态健康影响评价技术规范. 同时,建议长江中游湖泊在开展截污控源、内源控制和生态修复的同时,进一步深化流域管理,特别是对洞庭湖、鄱阳湖、梁子湖和斧头湖等跨行政区湖泊,以提高湖泊治理与修复的系统性和整体性.     

Hydrodynamic and isotopic investigations for evaluating the mechanisms and amount of groundwater seepage through a rockslide dam

This study addresses the influence of landslide dams on surface water drainage and groundwater flow. In the study area of Scanno Lake and Sagittario River (Central Italy), a limestone rockslide‐avalanche formed a lake, which has an outlet that is occasionally active, showing infiltration into the rockslide dam. Several springs are present at the lake's base and are partly fed by seepage through the rockslide debris. Piezometric surveys, discharge measurements, pumping tests and chemical analyses are tools used to build a conceptual model of the groundwater flow and to evaluate the flow through the rockslide debris. Seasonal water isotopic signatures validate the assumed model, showing a mixing of infiltration recharge and groundwater seepage throughout the rockslide debris. Various recharge areas have been found for springs, pointing out those directly fed by the rockslide debris aquifer. Hypotheses about seasonal groundwater mixing between the regional carbonate aquifer and the rockslide debris aquifer are supported by isotope results. Seasonal changes in groundwater table level due to recharge and surface losses from seasonal outlet have been correlated with isotopic groundwater composition from the rockslide debris aquifer and the downstream springs; this relationship highlights the role of the rockslide dam body on the hydrodynamics of the studied area. Relationships between surface waters and groundwater in the area have been completely understood on the basis of water isotopic fingerprinting, finally obtaining a complete evaluation of groundwater renewable resources and its regimen. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

洱海富营养化时间演变特征(1988-2013年)及社会经济驱动分析

基于1988-2013年的洱海流域社会经济统计数据与湖内水质历史监测数据,分析了社会经济指标和富营养化指标的逐年变化趋势,并借助Change-point Analyzer对指标进行了拐点分析.结果显示：过去25年洱海水体呈明显富营养化趋势,主要富营养化指标均出现过1次恶化拐点,总磷出现时间最早（1996年）,其次是高锰酸盐指数（1999年）,总氮、叶绿素a、透明度和综合营养状态指数则集中在2002-2003年期间出现拐点,叶绿素a浓度上升10余倍,透明度相应下降了近50%.流域主要社会经济指标出现了2~3次增长拐点,首次拐点集中出现在1994-1999年期间,明显早于富营养化指标恶化拐点出现时间.多元回归分析显示洱海总磷浓度受流域农作物种植业发展影响最大,其他水质指标则主要受流域畜牧业的影响.     

Environmental isotope study on hydrodynamics of Lake Naini,Uttar Pradesh,India

Environmental isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δD and ³H) were used to understand the hydrodynamics of Lake Naini in the State of Uttar Pradesh, India. The data was correlated with the in situ physico‐chemical parameters, namely temperature, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen. The analysis of the data shows that Lake Naini is a warm monomictic lake [i.e. in a year, the lake is stratified during the summer months (March/April to October/November) and well mixed during the remaining months]. The presence of a centrally submerged ridge inhibits the mixing of deeper waters of the lake's two sub‐basins, and they exhibit differential behaviour. The rates of change of isotopic composition of hypolimnion and epilimnion waters of the lake indicate that the water retention time of the lake is very short, and the two have independent inflow components. A few groundwater inflow points to the lake are inferred along the existing fractures, fault planes and dykes. In addition to poor vertical mixing of the lake due to the temperature‐induced seasonal stratification, the lake also shows poor horizontal mixing at certain locations of the lake. The lake–groundwater system appears to be a flow‐through type. Also, a tritium and water‐balance model was developed to estimate the water retention time of well‐mixed and hydrologically steady state lakes. The model assumes a piston flow of groundwater contributing to the lake. The developed model was verified for (a) Finger Lakes, New York; (b) Lake Neusiedlersee, Austria; and (c) Blue Lake, Australia based on literature data. The predicted water retention times of the lakes were close to those reported or calculated from the hydrological parameters given in the references. On application of this model to Lake Naini, a water retention time of ～2 years and age of groundwater contributing to the lake ～14 years is obtained. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecological risk assessment of eutrophication in Songhua Lake, China

The Songhua Lake in the Northeast China is chosen as a study case in this paper. Monitoring of samples and analysis 18 indexes related to the eutrophication in the Songhua Lake had been conducted in 2002–2004. Ecological risk assessment methods are employed here. The study results showed that total phosphorus and total nitrogen were main risk factors to impact on the eutrophication of the Songhua Lake, and influence of the phosphorus on the lake eutrophication was larger than that of nitrogen. Algal growth potential test was also conducted to validate the results. High phosphorus and high nitrogen concentrations were mostly distributed in Huifahekou and Jiaohe sites of the Songhua Lake. Threshold values of total phosphorus, total nitrogen and Chl-a concentrations from dose-effective examination were 0.065 mg/L, 0.843 mg/L, and 11.90 μg/L, respectively. The probability of the eutrophication appeared in the Songhua Lake was 0.69, of them, risk-free type area was 19.21% of total lake area, slight risk type area was 30.10%, middle risk type area was 16.50%, heavy risk type area was 25.8%, hyper risk type area was 8.39%. In order to control the eutrophication in the Songhua Lake, maximum permission discharges of total phosphorus and total nitrogen to the lake would be 2,123.78, 7,018.82 t/a, respectively.     

Geophysical and Hydrologic Studies of Lake Seepage Variability

Variations in lake seepage were studied along a 130 m shoreline of Mirror Lake NH. Seepage was downward from the lake to groundwater; rates measured from 28 seepage meters varied from 0 to ?282 cm/d. Causes of this variation were investigated using electrical resistivity surveys and lakebed sediment characterization. Two‐dimensional (2D) resistivity surveys showed a transition in lakebed sediments from outwash to till that correlated with high‐ and low‐seepage zones, respectively. However, the 2D survey was not able to predict smaller scale variations within these facies. In the outwash, fast seepage was associated with permeability variations in a thin (2 cm) layer of sediments at the top of the lakebed. In the till, where seepage was slower than that in the outwash, a three‐dimensional resistivity survey mapped a point of high seepage associated with heterogeneity (lower resistivity and likely higher permeability). Points of focused flow across the sediment–water interface are difficult to detect and can transmit a large percentage of total exchange. Using a series of electrical resistivity geophysical methods in combination with hydrologic data to locate heterogeneities that affect seepage rates can help guide seepage meter placement. Improving our understanding of the causes and types of heterogeneity in lake seepage will provide better data for lake budgets and prediction of mass transfer of solutes or contaminants between lakes and groundwater.     

鄱阳湖典型洪泛区地下水数值模拟研究

受地表河湖系统水情变化干扰,高度动态和异质性的洪泛区地下水文对河湖水资源、水污染以及生态环境功能等方面具有重要影响和贡献。鄱阳湖洪泛区湿地在长江中下游具有重要区位优势和研究特色,但变化环境下其水动力特征和水量交换情况等仍存在许多不确定性。本文以鄱阳湖典型洪泛区为研究区,采用地下水流二维数值模型,开展了洪泛区地表地下水转化作用与水量变化的模拟研究。结果表明,鄱阳湖季节性水位变化很大程度上决定了主湖区与周边地下水之间的动态补排模式,即洪泛区地下水补给湖泊主要发生在枯水和退水时期,而湖泊补给地下水主要发生在涨水和高洪水位时期。一般情况下,整个洪泛区地下水位与湖水位的年内变化态势基本一致,主湖区附近的地下水位年内变幅较大,而大部分洪泛区的地下水位变幅相对较小。北部地下水流速明显大于南部,主湖区附近地下水流速明显大于洪泛区,地下水流速基本小于1～2 m/d。水均衡分析发现,洪泛区地下水系统以接受降雨输入（52%）和主湖区补给（39%）为主,以地下水蒸发输出（72%）和向湖排泄（24%）为主,但补给主要发生在春、夏季,而排泄则发生在秋、冬季。地形地貌对洪泛区地下水位分布以及流速场演化具有主控作用,...     

丰水期鄱阳湖水体中氮、磷含量分布特征

以2011年7月份鄱阳湖实测数据为参考,对鄱阳湖丰水期总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)空间分布特征及其影响因素进行了分析,并就鄱阳湖氮、磷营养盐结构特征及其与叶绿素a的相关性进行了探讨.结果表明:鄱阳湖氮、磷含量已经达到了发生富营养化的条件,且TN含量呈现由东向西、由南向北逐渐降低的趋势;TP在几个主要的采砂区,尤其是南北湖交界处污染最严重.鄱阳湖以磷限制为主,氮污染相对比较严重,且氮、磷不是鄱阳湖藻类生长的限制性因素.TN同时受悬浮泥沙和水流作用的影响,在上游航道受水流影响较大,在入江水道则主要受陆源污染的影响.TP含量则主要受悬浮泥沙和采砂活动的影响,受水流作用影响相对较小.     

巢湖富营养化的历程、空间分布与治理策略(1984-2013年)

通过文献调研,分析巢湖富营养化的历程及其与合肥市社会、经济与人口发展的关系,同时利用遥感解译和野外调查监测方法分析2012和2013年巢湖主要富营养化指标及蓝藻水华的空间分布特征,并进一步探讨各个阶段湖泊治理措施对巢湖富营养化过程的影响.研究发现:近30年间,1984-1994年是巢湖水质的主要恶化阶段,在1990s中期巢湖的富营养化达到了近30年的峰值,这主要是经济快速发展、污染治理投入有限所致;1995-2007年,巢湖的水质逐步改善,恢复到1980s中期略高的水平,这得益于"九五"和"十五"期间的大量投入,对污、废水进行处理,限制了污染物直接入湖;但是2008年以来,巢湖的水质改善效果并不明显,富营养化维持在较高水平波动,这可能是因为合肥市经济快速发展背景下,原有的污、废水处理后入湖的减排方式已经不能进一步有效削减巢湖的污染负荷.巢湖富营养化在空间分布上呈现西高东低的渐变趋势,这主要是由西部主要入湖河流污染所致.通过对比2012和2013年的空间分布数据发现,2013年主要入湖污染河流河口水质相对2012年均有所好转,其中十五里河河口的好转比南淝河河口明显.综合长期及全湖富营养化水平的变化分析,现阶段巢湖富营养化的治理亟需改变经济发展模式,调整产业结构,实施污废水尾水提标改造、畜禽养殖污染控制和面源污染控制等控源工程,以进一步降低巢湖的富营养化程度.     

红枫湖、百花湖沉积物全氮、可交换态氮和固定铵的赋存特征

氮是引起湖泊水体富营养化的关键营养元素之一。本次工作从贵州两个重要水库（红枫湖和百花湖）采集了未受扰动的沉积物样品性,分析了分层沉积物样品中的总氮,无机交换性氮和固定铵的含量及垂直剖面分布,研究表明,红枫湖和百花湖沉积物中具有较高的全氮含量,平均含量约为沉积物干重的0.36%～0.40%,其垂直分布在埋藏过程中受到成岩作用改造,沉积物交换性氮在沉积物中的赋存受到全氮含量和埋藏环境的双重控制,红枫湖和百花湖沉积物具有较强的吸持固定铵的能力,沉积物固定铵的绝对含量的平均值分别为434.05mg/kg和416.94mg/kg,分别占全氮的13.53%和12.53%。     

五大连池水质现状及近30年前后变化

2012—2013年春、夏、秋季,对五大连池11个采样点的水质变化进行研究,分析湖水水质现状,比较30年前后湖泊的水质变化并评估五大连池富营养化程度.结果表明,五大连池不同部分、季节、年份的水质参数指标波动剧烈,可能是受水产养殖及氮、磷浓度变化影响,2池和3池浮游生物量及叶绿素a浓度明显较低;同1980s相比,水质变化较大,一些指标显示水质已趋向好转,但5池却接近重度富营养化,说明近几年的还湿、迁居等保护措施初见效果,但整个湖泊水质恢复需要漫长过程.     

Groundwater ‐ the disregarded component in lake water and nutrient budgets. Part 1: effects of groundwater on hydrology

Lake eutrophication is a large and growing problem in many parts of the world, commonly due to anthropogenic sources of nutrients. Improved quantification of nutrient inputs is required to address this problem, including better determination of exchanges between groundwater and lakes. This first of a two‐part review provides a brief history of the evolution of the study of groundwater exchange with lakes, followed by a listing of the most commonly used methods for quantifying this exchange. Rates of exchange between lakes and groundwater compiled from the literature are statistically summarized for both exfiltration (flow from groundwater to a lake) and infiltration (flow from a lake to groundwater), including per cent contribution of groundwater to lake‐water budgets. Reported rates of exchange between groundwater and lakes span more than five orders of magnitude. Median exfiltration is 0.74 cm/day, and median infiltration is 0.60 cm/day. Exfiltration ranges from near 0% to 94% of input terms in lake‐water budgets, and infiltration ranges from near 0% to 91% of loss terms. Median values for exfiltration and infiltration as percentages of input and loss terms of lake‐water budgets are 25% and 35%, respectively. Quantification of the groundwater term is somewhat method dependent, indicating that calculating the groundwater component with multiple methods can provide a better understanding of the accuracy of estimates. The importance of exfiltration to a lake budget ranges widely for lakes less than about 100 ha in area but generally decreases with increasing lake area, particularly for lakes that exceed 100 ha in area. No such relation is evident for lakes where infiltration occurs, perhaps because of the smaller sample size. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of groundwater dynamics in the North China Plain by coupled hydrology and agricultural models

We simulated the effects of irrigation on groundwater flow dynamics in the North China Plain by coupling the NIES Integrated Catchment‐based Ecohydrology (NICE) model with DSSAT‐wheat and DSSAT‐maize, two agricultural models. This combined model (NICE‐AGR) was applied to the Hai River catchment and the lower reach of the Yellow River (530 km wide by 840 km long) at a resolution of 5 km. It reproduced excellently the soil moisture, evapotranspiration and crop production of summer maize and winter wheat, correctly estimating crop water use. So, the spatial distribution of crop water use was reasonably estimated at daily steps in the simulation area. In particular, NICE‐AGR reproduced groundwater levels better than the use of statistical water use data. This indicates that NICE‐AGR does not need detailed statistical data on water use, making it very powerful for evaluating and estimating the water dynamics of catchments with little statistical data on seasonal water use. Furthermore, the simulation reproduced the spatial distribution of groundwater level in 1987 and 1988 in the Hebei Plain, showing a major reduction of groundwater level due mainly to overpumping for irrigation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.