Abstract
Data on spatiotemporal variations in groundwater levels are crucial for understanding arsenic (As) behavior and dynamics in groundwater systems. Little is known about the influences of groundwater extraction on the transport and mobilization of As in the Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia (China), so groundwater levels were recorded in five monitoring wells from 2011 to 2016 and in 57 irrigation wells and two multilevel wells in 2016. Results showed that groundwater level in the groundwater irrigation area had two troughs each year, induced by extensive groundwater extraction, while groundwater levels in the river-diverted (Yellow River) water irrigation area had two peaks each year, resulting from surface-water irrigation. From 2011 to 2016, groundwater levels in the groundwater irrigation area presented a decreasing trend due to the overextraction. Groundwater samples were taken for geochemical analysis each year in July from 2011 to 2016. Increasing trends were observed in groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) and As. Owing to the reverse groundwater flow direction, the Shahai Lake acts as a new groundwater recharge source. Lake water had flushed the near-surface sediments, which contain abundant soluble components, and increased groundwater salinity. In addition, groundwater extraction induced strong downward hydraulic gradients, which led to leakage recharge from shallow high-TDS groundwater to the deep semiconfined aquifer. The most plausible explanation for similar variations among As, Fe(II) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations is the expected dissimilatory reduction of Fe(III) oxyhydroxides.
Résumé
Les données spatio-temporelles des variations des niveaux piézométriques sont cruciales pour la compréhension du comportement de l’arsenic (As) et la dynamique des systèmes aquifères. On dispose de peu de connaissance sur l’influence de l’exploitation des eaux souterraines sur le transport et la mobilisation de l’As dans le bassin de l’Hetao, Mongolie intérieure (Chine). Ainsi les niveaux d’eau souterraines ont été enregistrés sur 5 piézomètres de 2011 à 2017 et sur 57 puits d’irrigation et deux forages multiniveaux en 2016. Les résultats montrent que les niveaux piézométriques dans la zone irriguée à partir des eaux souterraines présentent deux baisses chaque année du fait de prélèvements très importants d’eau souterraine alors que les niveaux piézométriques du secteur irrigué par dérivation de la rivière (Fleuve Jaune) présentent deux pics chaque année résultant de l’irrigation par les eaux de surface. De 2011 à 2016, les niveaux piézométriques du secteur irrigué par les eaux souterraines présentent une tendance à la baisse du fait d’une surexploitation. Des échantillons d’eau souterraine ont permis une analyse géochimique chaque année de juillet 2011 à 2016. Une augmentation des tendances d’évolution des concentrations en éléments totaux dissous et As dans les eaux souterraines a été observée. Du fait d’une inversion de la direction des écoulements des eaux souterraines, le lac Shakai devient une nouvelle source de recharge des aquifères. Les eaux du lac renferment des sédiments en surface du fonds du lac, caractérisés par une forte composante d’éléments solubles qui entraine une augmentation de la salinité des eaux souterraines. De plus, l’exploitation des eaux souterraines induit un fort gradient hydraulique à la baisse, ce qui amène un drainage des eaux souterraines superficielles de forte teneur en éléments dissous (TDS) vers les parties profondes de l’aquifère semi-captif. L’explication la plus plausible à des variations similaires des concentrations en As, Fe(II) et organique total dissous (TOC) est. la réduction dissimilatrice attendue des oxyhydroxydes de Fe(III).
Resumen
Los datos sobre las variaciones espaciotemporales en los niveles de agua subterránea son cruciales para comprender el comportamiento y la dinámica del arsénico (As) en los sistemas de agua subterránea. Poco se sabe sobre las influencias de la extracción de agua subterránea en el transporte y la movilización de As en la cuenca de Hetao, Mongolia Interior (China), por lo que se registraron niveles de agua subterránea en cinco pozos de monitoreo desde 2011 a 2016 y en 57 pozos de riego y dos pozos multinivel en 2016. Los resultados mostraron que el nivel freático en el área de riego de agua subterránea tenía dos depresiones cada año, inducido por la extracción de agua subterránea, mientras que los niveles de agua subterránea en el área de riego de agua derivada del río tenían dos picos cada año, como resultado del riego de agua superficial. De 2011 a 2016, los niveles de agua subterránea en el área de riego con aguas subterráneas presentaron una tendencia decreciente debido a la extracción excesiva. Las muestras de agua subterránea se tomaron para análisis geoquímicos cada año en julio desde 2011 a 2016. Se observaron tendencias crecientes en sólidos totales disueltos (TDS) y As. Debido a la dirección inversa del flujo del agua subterránea, el lago Shahai actúa como una nueva fuente de recarga de agua subterránea. El agua del lago había inundado los sedimentos cercanos a la superficie, que contienen abundantes componentes solubles y una mayor salinidad del agua subterránea. Además, la extracción de agua subterránea indujo a fuertes gradientes hidráulicos descendentes, que llevaron a la reposición de filtraciones desde aguas subterráneas poco profundas de alta TDS hasta el acuífero semi confinado profundo. La explicación más plausible para variaciones similares entre las concentraciones de As, Fe (II) y carbono orgánico total (TOC) es la reducción disimilatoria esperada de los oxihidróxidos de Fe (III).
摘要
地下水时空变化的数据对于了解地下水系统中砷特性和动力特征至关重要。有关(中国)内蒙古河套盆地地下水开采对砷的运移和活动化的影响知之甚少,因此,从2011年到2016年在5个观测井以及2016年在57个灌溉井记录了地下水位。结果显示,在地下水灌溉区地下水位每年有两个低槽;这两个低槽由地下水开采引起,而在引河(黄河)水灌溉区,地下水位每年有两个高峰,这是由于地表水灌溉造成的。2011年到2016年,由于地下水超采,地下水灌溉区的地下水水位呈现下降趋势。2011年到2016年每年7月为进行地球化学分析而采取地下水采样。观测到地下水中总溶解固体含量和砷都有增长的趋势。由于地下水流方向反转,沙海湖成为新的地下水补给源。湖水冲刷含有大量溶解成分的近地表沉积物,增加了地下水的盐度。另外,地下水开采引起了强烈向下的水力梯度,导致浅层总固体含量高的地下水向深部半承压含水层越流补给。针对砷、铁和总有机碳含量类似的变化,似乎最可信的解释就是预料中的铁氢氧化合物异化还原反应。
Resumo
Dados de variações espaçotemporais nos níveis das águas subterrâneas são cruciais para a compreensão do comportamento e dinâmica do arsênio (As) em sistemas de águas subterrâneas. Pouco se sabe a respeito das influências da extração de águas subterrâneas sobre o transporte e mobilização de As na Bacia de Hetao, Mongólia Interior (China), assim, níveis de águas subterrâneas foram registrados em cinco poços de monitoramento de 2011 a 2016 e em 57 poços de irrigação e dois poços multiníveis em 2016. Os resultados mostraram que o nível das águas subterrâneas na área irrigada com águas subterrâneas teve duas recessões a cada ano, induzidas pela extração extensiva de águas subterrâneas, enquanto os níveis das águas subterrâneas na área irrigada com água desviada do rio (Rio Amarelo) tinham dois picos por ano, resultantes da irrigação com águas superficiais. De 2011 a 2016, os níveis de águas subterrâneas na área de irrigação com águas subterrâneas apresentaram tendência decrescente devido à superextração. Realizou-se amostragens de águas subterrâneas para análise geoquímica anualmente, em julho, de 2011 a 2016. Foram observadas tendências crescentes sólidos solúveis totais (SST) e As. Devido à direção inversa do fluxo de águas subterrâneas, o Lago Shahai atua como uma nova fonte de recarga de águas subterrâneas. A água do lago carreou sedimentos próximos da superfície, com abundantes componentes solúveis, e aumentou a salinidade das águas subterrâneas. Além disso, a extração de águas subterrâneas induziu fortes gradientes hidráulicos descendentes, encaminhando a recarga de vazamento de águas subterrâneas rasas de alto SST para o aquífero semiconfinado profundo. A explicação mais plausível para variações semelhantes entre as concentrações de As, Fe (II) e carbono orgânico total (COT) é a redução dissimilatória esperada de oxihidróxidos de Fe (III).
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The study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant Nos. 41672225 and 41222020), the program of China Geology Survey (grant No. 12120113103700), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant No. 2652013028), and the Fok Ying-Tung Education Foundation, China (grant No. 131017).
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Zhang, Z., Guo, H., Zhao, W. et al. Influences of groundwater extraction on flow dynamics and arsenic levels in the western Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Hydrogeol J 26, 1499–1512 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1763-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1763-9