Abstract
As an important component of water resources, groundwater plays a crucial role in water utilization in China and an irreplaceable role in supporting economic and social development, especially in the northern arid and semi-arid plains and basin areas, which are densely populated and relatively short of surface-water resources. This paper comprehensively reviews and discusses the regional hydrogeological conditions, the temporal and spatial distribution of groundwater, the groundwater quality, and the actuality of groundwater exploitation and utilization in China. Meanwhile, aiming at the environmental problems induced by overexploitation to meet the sharply increasing water demand, this paper puts forward the major tasks for the next few years in terms of groundwater exploitation control, conservation and management.
Résumé
Composante importante des ressources en eau, les eaux souterraines jouent un rôle crucial dans l’utilization de l’eau en Chine et un rôle irremplaçable dans le soutien au développement économique et social, en particulier dans les plaines et bassins d’alimentation arides et semi-arides du Nord, densément peuplées et avec des ressources en eau de surface relativement limitées. Cet article passe en revue et discute des conditions hydrogéologiques régionales, de la distribution spatio-temporelle des eaux souterraines, de leur qualité, et des conditions actuelles d’exploitation et d’utilization des eaux souterraines en Chine. Dans le même temps, visant à résoudre les problèmes environnementaux induits par la surexploitation pour satisfaire la demande croissante en eau, cet article présente les principales actions à mener pour les prochaines années en matière de maîtrise de l’exploitation, de la conservation et de la gestion des eaux souterraines.
Resumen
Como un componente importante de los recursos hídricos, el agua subterránea desempeña un papel crucial en la utilización del agua en China y un papel insustituible en el apoyo al desarrollo económico y social, especialmente en las llanuras y cuencas áridas y semiáridas del norte, densamente pobladas y relativamente escasa en los recursos hídricos superficiales. Este documento revisa y discute exhaustivamente las condiciones hidrogeológicas regionales, la distribución temporal y espacial del agua subterránea, la calidad y la realidad de su explotación y utilización en China. Mientras tanto, apuntando a los problemas ambientales inducidos por la sobreexplotación para satisfacer la creciente demanda de agua, este documento presenta las principales tareas para los próximos años en términos de control, conservación y gestión de la explotación del agua subterránea.
摘要
作为水资源的重要组成部分,地下水在中国水资源利用中发挥着至关重要的作用,对支持经济和社会发展具有不可替代的作用,特别是相对短缺地表水资源的人口密集、北部干旱和半干旱平原和流域地区。 本文综合评述和讨论了中国区域水文地质条件,地下水的时空分布,地下水水质以及地下水开采利用的现状。 同时,针对过度开采引发的环境问题,以适应急剧增长的用水需求,本文提出今后几年地下水开采控制,保护和管理的主要任务.
Resumo
Como um componente importante dos recursos hídricos, a água subterrânea desempenha um papel crucial na utilização da água na China e um papel insubstituível no apoio ao desenvolvimento econômico e social, especialmente nas planícies áridas e semiáridas do norte e áreas de bacia, que são densamente povoadas e com recursos hídricos superficiais relativamente escassos. Este artigo analisa e discute exaustivamente as condições hidrogeológicas regionais, a distribuição temporal e espacial das águas subterrâneas, a qualidade das águas subterrâneas e a realidade da exploração e utilização das águas subterrâneas na China. Enquanto isso, visando os problemas ambientais induzidos pela superexplotação para atender à demanda crescente de água, este documento apresenta as principais tarefas para os próximos anos em termos de controle, conservação e gerenciamento da exploração das águas subterrâneas.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aldwell C (1997) Hydrogeology and sustainable agriculture. Environ Geol 32(2):93–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540050197
Barcelona M (2005) Development and applications of groundwater remediation technologies in the USA. Hydrogeol J 13(01):288–294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0419-0
Barnes K, Kolpin D, Furlong E, Zaugg S, Meyer M, Barber L (2008) A National Reconnaissance of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants in the United States: I, groundwater. Sci Total Environ 402(02):192–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.04.028
Cao W, Wan L, Hu F (2011) China regional hydrogeology (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Chen M (1986) Regional characteristics and assessment of groundwater resources in China (in Chinese). J Nat Resour 1(01):18–26. https://doi.org/10.11849/zrzyxb.1986.01.004
Chen T (2009) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in the Junggar Basin (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Chen Z, Wang Y, Liu J, Wei W (2010) Groundwater changes of selected groundwater systems in northern China in the recent fifty years (in Chinese). Quatern Sci 30(01):115–126. https://doi.org/10.16030/j.issn.1000-3665.2015.02.07
Cui Y, Shao J, Han S (2001) Ecological environment adjustment by groundwater in Northwest China (in Chinese). Earth Sci Front 8(01):191–196. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1005-2321.2001.01.025
Ding H (2003) Report on groundwater exploration in Hexi corridor (in Chinese). Report, Gansu Institute of Geological Survey, Lanzhou, China
Engelman R, Roy P (1993) Sustaining water: population and the future of renewable water supplies. Report, Population Action Int., Washington, DC
Evans M, Maslia M (2005) Hydrogeology and assessment of human exposure to toxicants. Hydrogeol J 13(01):325–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0410-9
Fisher A (2005) Marine hydrogeology: recent accomplishments and future opportunities. Hydrogeol J 13(01):69–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0400-y
Focazioa M, Kolpinb D, Barnes K, Furlong E, Meyer M, Zaugg S, Barber L, Thurman M (2008) A National Reconnaissance for pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants in the United States: II, untreated drinking water sources. Sci Total Environ 402(02):201–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.02.021
Gao C, Liu W, Feng C, Chen Y, Zhang G, Song J (2014) Research on the formation mechanism of high arsenic groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions: a case study of Hetao Plain in Inner Mongolia, China (in Chinese). Earth Sci Front 21(04):13–29. https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.2014.04.002
Girman J, Gun J, Haie N, Hirata R, Lipponen A, Lopez-Gunn E, Neupane B, Shah T, Vrba J, Wallin B (2007) Groundwater resources sustainability indicators. IHP-VI Series on Groundwater, no. 14, UNESCO, Paris, pp 3–9
Guan Y (2015) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in Jianghan-Dongting plain (Hubei Province) (in Chinese). Report, Hubei Institute of Geological Environment, Wuhan, China
Han Y (2008) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems of the six major basins in Shanxi Province (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Han S, Zhang F, Zhang H, Jia X, He J, Li X (2010) An analysis of the distribution and formation of high arsenic groundwater in northern China (in Chinese). Geol China 37(03):747–753. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3657.2010.03.030
He J, Zhang F, Han S, Li X, Yao X, Zhang H (2010) Distribution characteristics and origin analysis of high-fluorine groundwater in northern China (in Chinese). Geol China 37(03):621–626. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3657.2010.03.012
Hou G (2008) Groundwater exploration in the Ordos Basin (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Hunt A (2005) Percolation theory and the future of hydrogeology. Hydrogeol J 13(01):202–205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0405-6
Jia F, Qin Z, Han Z (1993) Geological features of groundwater in basalt in China (in Chinese). Hydrogeol Eng Geol (04):30–32. https://doi.org/10.16030/j.issn.1000-3665.1993.04.010
Li G, Han C (1996) A study on the Quaternary groundwater of the north border area of China (in Chinese). Quatern Sci 16(02):105–114
Li Z (2008) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in West Liaohe Plain (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Liang G, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Zhou X, Zhang C (2007) Construction of spatial database for groundwater resources in China based on GIS (in Chinese). Acta Geosci Sin 28(06):572–578. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1006-3021.2007.06.010
Liu B (2008) Groundwater exploration in Tarim Basin (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Lou H, Mao R, Xia J, Feng Y (2002) The study for groundwater resources system of China with three-rated appraising method of sub area (in Chinese). Prog Geogr 21(06):554–563. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-6301.2002.06.005
Lu Y, Liu C, Zhang F, Tong G, Zhang Y (2006) Groundwater system and its eco-hydrological characteristics in major karst areas in China (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin 10:1577
Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) (1993) Standard for groundwater quality (GB/T14848–93) (in Chinese). Standards Press of China, Beijing
Narasimhan T (2005) Hydrogeology in north America: past and future. Hydrogeol J 13(01):7–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0422-5
Reilly T (2004) A brief history of contributions to ground water hydrology by the U.S. Geological Survey. Groundwater 25(4):625–631. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2004.tb02633.x
Robertson W, Yeung N, Driel P, Lombardo P (2005) High permeability layers for remediation of ground water: go wide not deep. Ground Water 43(4):574–581. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2005.0062.x
Sakamoto Y, Kamiya Y, Okuhara T (2006) Selective hydrogenation of nitrate to nitrite in water over Cu-Pd bimetallic clusters supported on active carbon. J Mol Catal A Chem 250(01):80–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2006.01.041
Shen L, Li G (2010) Groundwater pollution risk mapping method (in Chinese). Environ Sci 31(04):918–923
Shi J (2013) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in Hetao plain (in Chinese). Report. Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
Sun J, Liu J, Qi J, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Liu D, Yang M, Wang S, Liu F, Kang W, Li G, Zhang Y, Liu J, Jing J (2015) Modern investigation, sampling and analysis technological system in the investigation of groundwater pollution in China (in Chinese). Acta Geosci Sin 36(06):701–707. https://doi.org/10.3975/cagsb.2015.06.02
Wang C (2016) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in Jianghan-Dongting plain (Hunan Province) (in Chinese). Report. Hunan Institute of Geological Survey, Changsha
Wang G, Chen D, Lin W, Fan Q, Zhang W (2007) Reasonable exploitation and utilization of groundwater resources in North China (in Chinese). J Desert Res 27(04):684–689. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1000-694X.2007.04.027
Wang Y (2008) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in the Qaidam Basin (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Wang Y, Ma T, Guo Q, Ma R (2005) Groundwater and environmental change (in Chinese). Earth Sci Front 12(S1):14–21. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1005-2321.2005.z1.003
Water Resources Department, Ministry of Water Resources (2004) The development of groundwater resources of China in the early 21st century (in Chinese). China Water Power Press, Beijing
Wen D, Lin L, Sun J, Zhang Z, Jiang Y, Ye N, Fei Y, Qian Y, Gong J, Zhou X, Zhang Y (2012) Groundwater quality and contamination in the Main Plains of eastern China (in Chinese). Earth Sci (J China Univ Geosci) 37(02):220–228. https://doi.org/10.3799/dqkx.2012.022
Wen D, Zhang F, Zhang E, Cheng W, Han S, Zheng Y (2013) Arsenic, fluoride and iodine in groundwater of China. J Geochem Explor 135(06):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2013.10.012
Wu X (2008) Investigation and assessment of reasonable allocation of groundwater resources in Yinchuan Plain (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Xia R (2003) Groundwater and environment geological survey in southwest karst region (in Chinese). Institute of Karst Geology, Guilin
Xue Y, Zhang Y, Ye S, Li Q (2003) Land subsidence in China and its problems (in Chinese). Quat Sci 23(06):585–593. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1001-7410.2003.06.001
Yang G, Yao C (2003) Dynamic assessment of groundwater vulnerability in karst area, southwest China. Chin J Nat 25(02):83–85. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2003.02.005
Yang H, Wang G, Zhang Y (2014) A division scheme of groundwater systems in North China (in Chinese). Earth Sci Front 21(04):74–82. https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.2014.04.008
Yang X (2008) Geological survey and assessment of groundwater resource potential and eco-environment in the Sanjiang Plain (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Zektser I, Everet L (2004) Groundwater resources of the world and their use. IHP-IV, Series on Groundwater no. 6, UNESCO, Paris
Zeng Y, He J, Ma W, Xu Z (2017) The establishment of Chinese health-based levels of drinking water for groundwater source (in Chinese). Hydrogeol Eng Geol 42(02):44–51. https://doi.org/10.16030/j.issn.1000-3665.2015.02.07
Zhang E, Zhang F, Qian Y, Ye N, Gong J, Wang Y (2010) The distribution of high iodine groundwater in typical areas of China and its inspiration (in Chinese). Geol China 37(03):797–802. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3657.2010.03.036
Zhang G, Deng W, He Y, Ramsis S (2006) Hydrochemical characteristics and evolution Laws of groundwater in Songnen Plain, Northeast China (in Chinese). Adv Water Sci 17(01):20–28. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1001-6791.2006.01.004
Zhang Z (2008) Survey and assessment of sustainable utilization of groundwater in North China Plain (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Zhang Z, Li L (2003) The atlas of groundwater resources and environment of China (in Chinese). Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing
Zhang Z, Li L (2004) Groundwater resources in China (a general volume) (in Chinese). Sino Map Press, Beijing
Zhao H (2008) Investigation and assessment of groundwater resources and environmental problems in the Songnen Plain (in Chinese). Geological Publishing House, Beijing
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the peers who provided the valuable data and Wenlong Gu and Hengxing Zhang who gave lots of advice on English writing. Sincere gratitude is expressed to the editors of Hydrogeology Journal and the reviewers for their thoughtful and constructive comments, which helped improve the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Published in the special issue “Groundwater sustainability in fast-developing China”
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hao, A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, E. et al. Review: Groundwater resources and related environmental issues in China. Hydrogeol J 26, 1325–1337 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1787-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1787-1