The “groundwater benefit zone”, proposals, contributions and new
scientific issues
Abstract
The groundwater has great potential for water resource utilization,
accounting for about a quarter of vegetation transpiration globally and
contributing up to 84% in shallow groundwater areas. However, in
irrigated agricultural regions or coastal areas with shallow groundwater
levels, due to the high groundwater salinity, the contribution of
groundwater to transpiration is small and even harmful. This paper
proposes a new conception of groundwater benefit zone in the
groundwater-soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (GSPAC) system. First, it
analyzes the mutual feedback processes of the groundwater hydrological
process and farmland ecosystem. Secondly, it elaborates on the regional
water and salt movement model, proposed vital technologies based on the
optimal regulation of the groundwater benefit zone, and is committed to
building a synergy that considers soil salt control and groundwater
yield subsidies. Finally, based on the GSPAC system water-salt coupling
transport mechanism, quantitative model of groundwater benefit zone, and
technical parameters of regional water-salt regulation and control, the
scientific problems and development opportunities related to the
conception of groundwater benefit zone have been prospected.