Optimizing Recharge Area Delineation for Small- to Medium-Sized Groundwater Systems through Coupling Methods and Numerical Modeling: A Case Study of Linfen City, China

Kewei Lyu, Qiulan Zhang, Yali Cui, Yaobin Zhang, Yan Zhou, Lu Lyu, Yihan Dong () and Jingli Shao ()
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Kewei Lyu: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Qiulan Zhang: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Yali Cui: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Yaobin Zhang: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Yan Zhou: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Lu Lyu: The Third Geological Engineering Exploration Institute of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan 030620, China
Yihan Dong: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Jingli Shao: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: In previous investigations, the demarcation of capture zones within a specific research area predominantly relied on a singular method, leading to pronounced limitations and uncertainties. To address this challenge, an extensive field survey was conducted, focusing on the systematic classification of water sources in the Linfen City region. Building upon this classification, an intricate fusion of a hydrogeological analysis and formulaic methodology was employed. This integrated approach, coupled with independent numerical simulation methods, was applied to delineate recharge areas for both alluvial fan pore water in piedmont regions and exposed karst water in small- to medium-sized water sources. Simultaneously, precise spatial interpolation was carried out on water quality monitoring data from supply wells within the water source area for the year 2020. This meticulous analysis facilitated the determination of the spatial distribution characteristics of hydrochemical elements. To assess the water quality within the capture zone, the class III groundwater quality standards of China were employed as a pivotal tool for validating the results of the delineation of water source recharge areas. In the final analysis, a comparative study between the integrated coupling method and numerical simulation outcomes revealed the successful delineation of the boundaries for the water supply areas of Tumen and Caojiapo in Linfen City, covering areas of 5.5 km 2 and 22.29 km 2 , respectively. Simultaneously, the combination of the three methods accurately outlined the boundary of the Hexi water supply area, encompassing an area of 2.5224 km 2 . These results vividly illustrate that the amalgamation of various methodologies proves more beneficial for the precise delineation of capture zones, particularly in diverse types and scales of groundwater sources. The synergy exhibited by these three methods underscores their collective efficacy, providing a more comprehensive and intuitive delineation of the recharge areas for small- to medium-sized water sources. Consequently, these findings significantly enhance the practical application value of the study and hold promise in making substantial contributions to local groundwater security and management initiatives.

Keywords: capture zone; hydrogeological analysis method; formula method; numerical simulation; underground drinking water source recharge area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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