黑河流域中游盆地地表水与地下水转化机制研究

地表水与地下水相互转化是中国西北干旱内流盆地水循环的显著特征,转化机制研究是盆地水循环规律认知和水资源可持续管理的重要基础。以我国西北干旱内流河黑河流域中游的张掖盆地和盐池盆地为研究区,建立了黑河主干河道时变水平衡模型和地表水地下水耦合数值模型,研究了长周期水文变化和人类活动双重影响下地表水与地下水转化机制,得到如下认识:（1）补给条件由以天然条件下河流渗漏为主的线状补给演变为以河流与引水渠道渗漏的线状补给和灌区田间入渗面状补给,排泄条件由以泉水溢出和天然湿地排泄演变为以泉水溢出与地下水开采为主的排泄。（2）张掖盆地黑河干流河道入渗段和溢出段大致以G312 大桥为界,亦称为地表水与地下水转化的转折点。莺落峡—G312 大桥段为悬河渗漏段,河道入渗补给主要受控于进入河道的实际过水量。其中,莺落峡—草滩庄段河道入渗补给率为28.20 %;草滩庄—G312 大桥段河道入渗补给量与河道过水量的关系可用分段函数表达,河道过水量大于或等于0.37×108 m3/mon时呈幂函数关系,小于则呈线性函数关系。G312 大桥—正义峡段为地下水溢出段,其中G312大桥—平川大桥段地下水溢出量约占全部溢出量的70%,溢出峰值出现在高崖水文站下游约6 km处,其单长溢出量可达0.46 m3/(s·km)。（3）研究区是一个相对完整的河流—含水层系统,近31年来经历了连枯和连丰的水文变化,地下水补给排泄条件及与地表水转化机制均发生了相应的变化。地表水与地下水转化最强烈的地区为张掖盆地中部的黑河—梨园河倾斜平原。1990—2001 年连枯期,灌区引水量总体逐年减少,以河道入渗和渠系渗漏为主的补给量平均以0.06×108 m3/a速率减少,农田灌溉面积增加导致灌溉用水增加,地下水开采量显著增加,地下水水位逐年下降,储存量累计减少5.77×108 m3,地下水溢出量平均减少0.16×108 m3/a;而2002—2020 年连丰期,灌区引水量总体逐年减少,河道入渗量呈增加趋势,地下水总补给量平均增加0.15×108 m3/a,灌溉面积继续扩大,农灌开采量随之增加,以河道入渗量增加为主导,地下水水位持续上升,储存量累计增加5.45×108 m3,地下水溢出量平均增加0.08×108 m3/a。总之,补给和排泄条件变化较大,地下水储存量先减后增,地下水溢出总量变化较为平缓,反映了该区巨厚含水层系统的巨大调蓄功能。（4）位于张掖盆地东部的诸河倾斜平原地下水水位长期处于持续下降状态,这是由于地表水开发过度,补给量锐减。黑河侵蚀堆积平原地下水水位基本稳定。30 多年来盐池盆地倾斜平原地下水水位长期处于持续下降状态,这是由于移民开垦导致地下水过量开采。（5）内流盆地天然悬河入渗段是珍贵的地下水补给通道,无论连枯期还是连丰期,河道实际过水量是河道渗漏补给量的关键,保护上游天然河道和一定的河道实际过水量是内流盆地水资源可持续管理的关键。     

Quantification of the water balance and hydrogeological processes of groundwater–lake interactions in the Pampa Plain, Argentina

This paper gives an account of the assessment and quantification of the water balance and the hydrogeological processes related to lake–groundwater interaction in the Pampa Plain by using hydrogeochemical, isotopic and flow numerical modeling techniques. La Salada is a permanent shallow lake, with an area of 5.8 km², located on the SE of Buenos Aires Province. A total of 29 lake water samples and 15 groundwater samples were collected for both hydrochemical analysis and environmental stable isotope determination. Water table depths were measured in wells closed to the lake. Groundwater samples appear grouped on the Local Meteoric Water Line, suggesting a well-mixed system and that rainfall is the main recharge source to the aquifer. Water evaporation process within La Salada is also corroborated by its isotopic composition. The model that best adjusts to La Salada Lake hydrochemical processes includes evaporation from groundwater, calcite precipitation with CO₂ release and cationic exchange. The annual water balance terms for the lake basin indicates for each hydrological component the following values: 1.16 E⁰⁸ m³ rainfall, 8.15 E⁰⁷ m³ evapotranspiration, 1.90 E⁰⁶ m³ runoff, 1.55 E⁰⁷ m³ groundwater recharge, 6.01 E⁰⁶ m³ groundwater discharge to the lake, 9.54 E⁰⁶ m³ groundwater discharge to the river, 5.00 E⁰⁵ m³ urban extraction and 4.90 E⁰⁶ m³ lake evaporation. Integrated analysis of hydrochemical and isotopic information helped to calibrate the groundwater flow model, to validate the conceptual model and to quantitatively assess the basin water balance.     

Application of the water balance model J2000 to estimate groundwater recharge in a semi-arid environment: a case study in the Zarqa River catchment, NW-Jordan

Pollution and overexploitation of scarce groundwater resources is a serious problem in the Zarqa River catchment, Jordan. To estimate this resource’s potential, the amount and spatial distribution of groundwater recharge was calculated by applying the hydrological model J2000. The simulation period is composed of daily values gathered over a 30-year period (July 1977 to June 2007). The figure finally obtained for estimated groundwater recharge of the Zarqa River catchment is 105 × 10⁶ m³ per year (21 mm a^?1). This is 19 % higher than the value previously assumed to be correct by most Jordanian authorities. The average ratio of precipitation to groundwater recharge is 9.5 %. To directly validate modelled groundwater recharge, two independent methods were applied in spring catchments: (1) alteration of stable isotope signatures (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) between precipitation and groundwater and (2) the chloride mass balance method. Recharge rates determined by isotopic investigations are 25 % higher, and recharge rates determined by chloride mass balance are 9 % higher than the modelled results for the corresponding headwater catchments. This suggests a reasonably modelled safe yield estimation of groundwater resources.     

Effect of groundwater on the ecological water environment of typical inland lakes in the Inner Mongolian Plateau

To explore the causes of the ecological environment deterioration of lakes in the Inner Mongolia Plateau, this study took a typical inland lake Daihai as an example, and investigated the groundwater recharge in the process of lake shrinkage and eutrophication. Using the radon isotope (²²²Rn) as the main means of investigation, the ²²²Rn mass balance equation was established to evaluate the groundwater recharge in Daihai. The spatial variability of ²²²Rn activity in lake water and groundwater, the contribution of groundwater recharge to lake water balance and its effect on nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in lake water were discussed. The analysis showed that, mainly controlled by the fault structure, the activity of ²²²Rn in groundwater north and south of Daihai is higher than that in the east and west, and the difference in lithology and hydraulic gradient may also be the influencing factors of this phenomenon. The ²²²Rn activity of the middle and southeast of the underlying lake is greater, indicating that the ²²²Rn flux of groundwater inflow is higher, and the runoff intensity is greater, which is the main groundwater recharge area for the lake. The estimated groundwater recharge in 2021 was 3 017×10⁴ m³, which was 57% of the total recharge to the lake, or 1.6 times and 8.1 times that of precipitation and surface runoff. The TN and TP contents in Daihai have been rising continuously, and the average TN and TP concentrations in the lake water in 2021 were 4.21 mg·L^?1 and 0.12 mg·L^?1, respectively. The TN and TP contents entering the lake with groundwater recharge were 6.8 times and 8.7 times above those of runoff, accounting for 87% and 90% of the total input, respectively. The calculation results showed that groundwater is not only the main source of recharge for Daihai, but also the main source of exogenous nutrients. In recent years, the pressurized exploitation of groundwater in the basin is beneficial in increasing the groundwater recharge to the lake, reducing the water balance difference of the lake, and slowing down the shrinking degree of the lake surface. However, under the action of high evaporation, nitrogen and phosphorus brought by groundwater recharge would become more concentrated in the lake, leading to a continuous increase in the content of nutrients and degree of eutrophication. Therefore, the impact of changes in regional groundwater quantity and quality on Daihai is an important issue that needs further assessment.     

Analysis of the exchange of groundwater and river water by using Radon-222 in the middle Heihe Basin of northwestern China

In arid regions of western China, water resources come from mountain watersheds and disappear in the desert plain. The exchange of surface water and groundwater takes place two or three times in a basin. It is essential to analyze the interaction of groundwater with surface water to use water resources effectively and predict the change in the water environment. The conventional method of analysis, however, measures only the flow of a stream and cannot determine groundwater seepage accurately. As the concentration of Radon-222 (²²²Rn) in groundwater is much higher than in surface water, the use of ²²²Rn was examined as an indicator for the analysis of the interaction between surface water and groundwater. Measurement of the ²²²Rn concentration in surface water was conducted to detect groundwater seepage into a stream in the middle Heihe Basin of northwestern China. Furthermore, the simultaneous groundwater flow into and out of a stream from the aquifers was quantified by solving the ²²²Rn mass balance equation, in which the losses of gas exchange and radioactive decay of ²²²Rn are considered. Meanwhile, river runoff was gauged to determine the exchange rates between surface water and groundwater. The result shows that ²²²Rn isotope can be used as a good environmental tracer with high sensitivity for the interaction between surface water and groundwater, especially in the fractured aquifer system, karst aquifer system and discharge basins.     

黑河流域中游盆地水文地球化学演化规律研究

黑河是我国第二大内流河,研究其水化学演化规律,对于区域水资源科学利用与管理、保障饮水安全和下游生态安全都具有重要作用。本文利用2014—2018年在黑河流域开展1∶50 000水文地质调查所获取的资料,研究了黑河干流和丰乐河两个典型剖面的水化学和同位素变化规律。结果表明,黑河中游盆地地下水主要来源于祁连山区大气降水补给,黑河干流区地下水氘氧同位素比丰乐河流域更为富集,反映了氘氧同位素的高程效应。在丰乐河流域排泄区发现了非现代气候条件下形成的古水,说明现在的盐湖盆地早期就是地下水滞留区。山前戈壁带含水层经长期淋滤作用,地下水溶解性总固体(total dissolved solids,TDS)较低,水化学类型以重碳酸型为主。溢出带以北下游地区TDS逐步增高,地下水类型以硫酸型、硫酸-氯型为主,具有两种地下水化学背景和演化模式:一种是石膏溶解-碳酸盐沉淀析出-氯化物溶解-缓慢的硅酸盐非完全溶解和阳离子交换反应模式;另一种在此基础上增加硫酸钠溶解演化模式。流域补给区和径流区地下水TDS升高的主要原因是溶滤作用。丰乐河排泄区地下水TDS升高的主要原因仍是溶滤作用,溶滤盐分的来源是表层的盐分,以石盐为主。黑河干流排泄区由于含水层较薄,水位埋深较浅,蒸发对地下水咸化的影响更大。     

Groundwater Recharge and Mixing in Arid and Semiarid Regions: Heihe River Basin, Northwest China

A sound understanding of groundwater recharged from various sources occurring at different time scales is crucial for water management in arid and semi-arid river basins. Groundwater recharge sources and their geochemical evolution are investigated for the Heihe River Basin(HRB) in northwest China on the basis of a comprehensive compilation of geochemical and isotopic data. Geochemical massbalance modeling indicates that mountain-block recharge accounts for a small fraction(generally less than 5%) of the shallow and deep groundwater sustaining the oasis, whereas infiltration of rivers and irrigation water contribute most of the groundwater recharge. Dedolomitization is the primary process responsible for the changes in groundwater chemical and carbon isotope compositions from the piedmont to the groundwater discharge zone, where the dedolomitization is very likely enhanced by modern agricultural activities affecting the shallow groundwater quality. Analysis of radioactive isotopes suggests that these primary recharge sources occur at two different time scales. Radiocarbon-derived groundwater age profiles indicate a recharge rate of approximately 12 mm/year, which probably occurred during 2000–7000 years B.P., corresponding to the mid-Holocene humid period. The recharge of young groundwater on the tritium-dated time scale is much higher, about 360 mm/year in the oasis region. Infiltration from irrigation canals and irrigation return flow are the primary contributors to the increased young groundwater recharge. This study suggests that groundwater chemistry in the HRB has been influenced by the complex interaction between natural and human-induced geochemical processes and that anthropogenic effects have played a more significant role in terms of both groundwater quantity and quality.     

Determination of groundwater recharge regime and flowpath in the Lower Heihe River basin in an arid area of Northwest China by using environmental tracers: Implications for vegetation degradation in the Ejina Oasis

Environmental tracers (CFCs, stable isotopes ¹⁸O, ²H, and ³H) and major ions were employed to study river infiltration and groundwater recharge in the aquifer system in the basin of the Lower Heihe River, Northwest China. Three groups of waters have been recognized: (1) young groundwater, connected to the river, with large variation of CFC apparent ages ranging from <10 a to 40 a, and δ¹⁸O and δ²H values which are similar to the river water; (2) regional background water, unaffected by the river, having CFC apparent ages >40 a, and being depleted in ¹⁸O and ²H compared with the river water; and (3) groundwater in Gurinai, a grassland located about 100 km from the river, in which the predominant discharge is from the Badain Jaran desert, with CFC apparent ages ranging from 25 to >50 a and being enriched in ¹⁸O and ²H compared to the river water. The groundwater along the river contains CFCs and ³H down to depths of about 120 m, and the shallow groundwater exhibits CFC apparent ages in a wide range which are not dependent on the well depth. Groundwaters along the river show a similar trend of enrichment in ¹⁸O and ²H as the river water whereas groundwaters in depression cones are depleted in heavier isotopes, and have low CFC and ³H concentrations. The CFC apparent age of the groundwater increases with increasing distance downstream, indicating that the dominant part of the groundwater is from infiltration of river water in the upper reaches. Modifications of groundwater recharge are reflected in variations of stable isotope compositions, as well as CFC and ³H concentrations in the groundwater that was recharged from the river over the last decades. Despite recharging from river water, groundwater abstraction has induced a water balance deficit. The riparian ecosystem in the Ejina Oasis is constrained by both decreased river flow and increased groundwater abstraction. The vegetation degradation in the Ejina Oasis is controlled not only by natural aridification but also worsened by heavy groundwater abstraction and decreased river flow.     

Assessment of groundwater inflows into Kuteshwar Limestone Mines through flow modeling study, Madhya Pradesh, India

The development of limestone mining activities in Katni, Madhya Pradesh becomes necessary to increase the depth of exploration to produce ore. Increase in the exploration depth means that mining pits were subjected to water inrush. A hydrological and a hydrogeological model for the Katni area have been developed using USGS flow code, MODFLOW 2000. Collected GIS-based information was synthesized in a finite difference numerical model. The regional steady flow was calibrated under pre-development conditions assuming an equivalent porous medium approach. Water budget calculations show that the total groundwater flow into the aquifer system due to interaction with river amounts to 14,783 m³/day. Infiltration from precipitation provides 1,600 m³/day of the groundwater supply, while 1,446 m³/day comes from lateral inflow and the remaining. The inflows into mine pit area amounts to 15,725 m³/day. Although the karstic nature of the limestone aquifer the equivalent porous medium flow model is appropriate to represent hydraulic heads and recharge/discharge relationships on a regional scale. The results of this study can be used to predict the required amounts of pumping and the possible locations to dewater the groundwater in the mining pits.     

Initial assessment of recharge areas for large karst springs: a case study from the central Zagros Mountains,Iran

Sousan Spring emerges from the Keyno Anticline, Zagros Mountains (Iran), and the mean annual discharge is ~24 m³/s. Geological and hydrochemical evaluations suggest that the spring recharge is from the limestone Ilam-Sarvak Formation (Cretaceous) but the Mafaroon Fault, a major thrust feature, influences the regional groundwater flow path by juxtaposing other strata. Geological, geochemical, stable isotope and water balance studies were employed to interpret this behavior. Using the isotope data, the sources and elevations of the recharge area were found. Temporal variations of the isotopic data were compared with variations of electrical conductivity (EC). Unexpectedly, high EC was associated with a relative increase of discharge and depletion of δ¹⁸O. Several hypotheses were investigated and approximate water balance studies employed for validation. It was found that an elongated catchment on the Keyno Anticline plus a lesser catchment on a pair of parallel anticlines recharge the aquifer. While the long groundwater flow path along the Keyno Anticline plus guidance by Mafaroon Fault and the adjacent Garou shaly strata lead to increased EC in the Sousan Spring at the end of the dry season, a flow pulse from two adjoining anticlines (Mahalbakh and Shirgoon) arrives at the same time to increase the discharge and deplete the δ¹⁸O signal. Apparently the spring did not experience true base flow conditions during the recorded hydrological year. Although the spring response to specific precipitation events was similar to typical karst aquifers, standard interpretation of recession curves and related coefficients will not be practical at Sousan.     

Hydrochemical characteristics and salinity of groundwater in the Ejina Basin, Northwestern China

A hydrochemical investigation was conducted in the Ejina Basin to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and the salinity of groundwater. The results indicate that groundwater in the area is brackish and are significantly zonation in salinity and water types from the recharge area to the discharge area. The ionic ration plot and saturation index (SI) calculation suggest that the silicate rock weathering and evaporation deposition are the dominant processes that determine the major ionic composition in the study area. Most of the stable isotope δ¹⁸O and δD compositions in the groundwater is a meteoric water feature, indicating that the groundwater mainly sources from meteoric water and most groundwater undergoes a long history of evaporation. Based on radioactive isotope tritium (³H) analysis, the groundwater ages were approximately estimated in different aquifers. The groundwater age ranges from less than 5 years, between 5 years and 50 years, and more than 50 years. Within 1 km of the river water influence zone, the groundwater recharges from recent Heihe river water and the groundwater age is about less than 5 years in shallow aquifer. From 1 km to 10 km of the river water influence zone, the groundwater sources from the mixture waters and the groundwater age is between 5 years and 50 years in shallow aquifer. The groundwater age is more than 50 years in deep confined aquifer.     

黑河中游盆地南部山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算

山区地下水对平原区的侧向径流补给量是一个长期争议且悬而未决的难题,这个量在西北内陆干旱盆地,被估算得或很小或很大。在总结前人研究的基础上,采用地质水文地质调查、物探、钻探、抽水试验、地下水动态观测、水化学测试、盆地地下水水位统测和综合研究等技术方法,查明了黑河中游盆地南部山盆交接带的地质构造接触关系、地层岩性接触关系及梨园河口白垩系风化壳含水层结构和水文地质参数。通过山区不同流域等级的地表水与地下水转化关系分析,将山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给带划分为大中型河流河谷补给段和小微型河流或冲沟群流域构成的浅山带补给段。河谷补给段勘探资料较为丰富,多用达西断面流方法计算;针对浅山带补给段极为缺乏勘探资料的实际,以梨园河口断面径流量为参照,构建了浅山带岩性、汇水区面积、降水量等3 个变量的山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算方法。估算出黑河中游盆地南部山区浅山带地下水对平原的侧向径流补给量为0.40×108 m3/a,河谷段基岩侧向补给量为0.07×108 m3/a;推算出河谷段第四系地下水补给量为0.30×108 m3/a;3 项补给量之和为0.77×108 m3/a,占盆地地下水资源量的3.0%。该研究为西北内陆干旱盆地山区地下水对平原区侧向径流补给量的估算提供了一个可供借鉴的实例。     

Variations of Hydrodynamics and Submarine Groundwater Discharge in the Yellow River Estuary Under the Influence of the Water-Sediment Regulation Scheme

The “Water-Sediment Regulation Scheme” (WSRS) is critically important to the hydrologic evaluation of the Yellow River estuary since a huge pulse of water and sediment are delivered into the sea during a short period. We used the natural geochemical tracers radium (²²³Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²²⁶Ra) and radon (²²²Rn) isotopes as well as other hydrological parameters to investigate the mixing variations and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the Yellow River estuary under the influence of the 2013 WSRS. Dramatically elevated radium and radon isotopic activities were observed during this WSRS compared with activities measured during a non-WSRS period. Radium “water ages” indicated that the offshore transport rate nearly tripled when the river discharge increased from 400 to 3400 m³/s. We calculated the SGD flux in the Yellow River estuary based on a radium mass balance model as well as radium and radon time-series models. The SGD flux was estimated at 0.02~0.20 m/day during a non-WSRS period and 0.67~1.22 m/day during the 2013 WSRS period. The results also indicate that large river discharge tends to lead more intense SGD along the river channel direction with a large amount of fresh SGD.     

黑河干流浅层地下水与地表水相互转化的水化学特征

通过分析黑河干流地表水与地下水的水化学特征,识别沿黑河干流不同地带地下水与地表水的相互转化关系.研究结果表明:(1)在祁连山区,地下水与地表水的转化以地下水向河流排泄为主.(2)南部盆地,在山前戈壁带,出山河水入渗转化为地下水;溢出带地下水以泉的形式转化为地表水;进入细土平原后,汛期河水补给地下水,非汛期地下水补给河水;在农灌区引河水通过田间入渗补给地下水.(3)北部盆地,在金塔灌区,地下水主要接受引水灌溉入渗补给;在金塔灌区到额济纳旗,河流入渗转化为地下水.     

河西走廊地下水资源变化简介

简要介绍了河西走廊石羊河、黑河、疏勒河三大流域内近5 0年来地表水出山迳流量、流域平原区地下水资源补给量、泉水溢出量、地下水开采量的历史变化,对不同时期地下水均衡结果进行了比较,初步分析了地下水资源减少的原因。     

格尔木河222Rn同位素变化及其对地表水-地下水交互关系的指示意义

我国西北内陆干旱区水资源匮乏,生态环境脆弱,在全球气候变化和人类活动干扰背景下,采用同位素方法进行精细尺度地表水-地下水交互作用研究是探求当地水循环变化和水资源管理的基本要求。通过测量格尔木河流域河水、地下水样品2019年5月和8月的²²²Rn浓度和典型断面流量,结果发现：山区河段河水²²²Rn浓度最高,平均值为948.72 Bq·m^-3,指示基岩裂隙水是山区河段重要补给来源;山前冲洪积扇河水²²²Rn浓度最低,平均值为76.71 Bq·m^-3,地下水补给较少;溢出带地区河水²²²Rn浓度上升至平均676 Bq·m^-3,地下水溢出补给河水,向下至细土平原,河水²²²Rn浓度呈下降趋势。时间变化上,8月与5月相比,河水²²²Rn浓度下降,表明地下水补给减少。溢出带S1~S2河段河水与地下水交互关系以双向转化为主,基于质量守恒原理计算河水与地下水交互通量,5月和8月累积河水渗漏通量分别为3.87 m³?s^-1和0.9 m³?s^-1,地下水补给通量分别为0.51 m³?s^-1和0.47 m³?s^-1,河水渗漏强度大于地下水补给,二者交互通量存在时空差异。     

Identifying interactions between river water and groundwater in the North China Plain using multiple tracers

Interactions between river water and groundwater have been used to help understand the movement of water and to evaluate water quality in the semi-arid area of the North China Plain (NCP). Stable isotopes, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochemistry were used to study the influence of surface water from the Xiao River on regional groundwater. Using a mass balance approach based on chloride concentrations, hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios, the average fraction of surface water recharging to groundwater was 50–60 %. CFC results indicated that the groundwater recharge age varied from 22.5 to 39.5 years. The vertical flow velocity of groundwater was estimated at about 1.8–3.5 m year^?1. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater varied from 9.42 to 156.62 mg L^?1, and exceeded 50 mg L^?1 in most aquifers shallower than 80 m bordering the Xiao River. The δ ¹⁵N-NO₃ data indicate that the major sources of nitrogen in groundwater are human sewage and animal excreta. Because groundwater is the main source of drinking water, there should be concern about public health related to the elevated nitrate concentrations in the NCP.     

Changes of δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O and δD along the Dousitu River,Inner Mongolia,China, and their evidence of river water evaporation

On the basis of the hydrogeology of the Dousitu River drainage basin, the changes of water flow rate, δ¹⁸O and δD along the Dousitu River are discussed according to measured and analytical results. Changes of flow rate along the Dousitu River agree well with groundwater level contours and the recharge and discharge of groundwater to the river. When compared with other types of water in the area, it is obvious that the ¹⁸O and D of river waters have experienced evaporation. The changes of δ¹⁸O and δD along the Dousitu River are mainly caused by combined effects of groundwater recharge and river water evaporation. The recharge of groundwater makes δ¹⁸O and δD of the river water decrease. Evaporation makes δ¹⁸O and δD of the river water increase. The evaporation fractions of the river water are calculated using the kinetic fractionation theory. Results showed as much as 10–30% of water was evaporated in different segments of Dousitu River.     

Groundwater balance in the Khor Arbaat basin, Red Sea State, eastern Sudan

The Khor Arbaat basin is the main source of potable water supply for the more than 750,000 inhabitants of Port Sudan, eastern Sudan. The variation in hydraulic conductivity and storage capacity is due to the heterogeneity of the sediments, which range from clay and silt to gravely sand and boulders. The water table rises during the summer and winter rainy seasons; it reaches its lowest level in the dry season. The storage capacity of the Khor Arbaat aquifer is estimated to be 21.75?×?10⁶ m³. The annual recharge through the infiltration of flood water is about 1.93?×?10⁶ m³. The groundwater recharge, calculated as underground inflow at the ‘upper gate’, is 1.33?×?10⁵ m³/year. The total annual groundwater recharge is 2.06?×?10⁶ m³. The annual discharge through underground outflow at the ‘lower gate’ (through which groundwater flows onto the coastal plain) is 3.29?×?10⁵ m³/year. Groundwater discharge due to pumping from Khor Arbaat basin is 4.38?×?10⁶ m³/year on average. The total annual groundwater discharge is about 4.7?×?10⁶ m³. A deficit of 2.6?×?10⁶ m³/year is calculated. Although the total annual discharge is twice the estimated annual recharge, additional groundwater flow from the fractured basement probably balances the annual groundwater budget since no decline is observed in the piezometric levels.     

Evolution of the groundwater system under the impacts of human activities in middle reaches of Heihe River Basin (Northwest China) from 1985 to 2013

Investigation of the evolution of the groundwater system and its mechanisms is critical to the sustainable management of water in river basins. Temporal and spatial distributions and characteristics of groundwater have undergone a tremendous change with the intensity of human activities in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin (HRB), the second largest arid inland river basin in northwestern China. Based on groundwater observation data, hydrogeological data, meteorological data and irrigation statistical data, combined with geostatistical analyses and groundwater storage estimation, the basin-scaled evolution of the groundwater levels and storage (from 1985 to 2013) were investigated. The results showed that the unbalanced allocation of water sources and expanded cropland by policy-based human activities resulted in the over-abstraction of groundwater, which induced a general decrease in the water table and groundwater storage. The groundwater level has generally fallen from 4.92 to 11.49 m from 1985 to 2013, especially in the upper and middle parts of the alluvial fan (zone I), and reached a maximum depth of 17.41 m. The total groundwater storage decreased by 177.52?×?10⁸ m³; zone I accounted for about 94.7 % of the total decrease. The groundwater balance was disrupted and the groundwater system was in a severe negative balance; it was noted that the groundwater/surface-water interaction was also deeply affected. It is essential to develop a rational plan for integration and management of surface water and groundwater resources in the HRB.