Zhang et al. (2026) Irrigation reshaping groundwater dynamics to regulate salinity threshold and transport

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-22
• Authors: Yuting Zhang, Hui Qian, Kai Hou, Yuan Fang
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.134999

Research Groups

• School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China
• School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
• Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
• Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co.Ltd, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
• Key Laboratory of Water Management and Water Security for Yellow River Basin, Ministry of Water Resources, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
• Ningxia Survey and Monitor Institute of Land and Resources, China

Short Summary

This study investigates how irrigation-induced groundwater table fluctuations (GWTF) influence solute transport and accumulation in arid regions, proposing dynamic safety thresholds for groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) that adapt to changing hydrodynamic conditions.

Objective

• To clarify the mechanisms of solute transport and accumulation under groundwater table fluctuations (GWTF) triggered by water diversion irrigation, and to propose a dynamic safety threshold for groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Arid irrigated regions (mechanistic study applicable to such environments).
• Temporal Scale: Dynamic, seasonal, and long-term periodic changes in groundwater table and salinity.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Greenberg logarithmic model.
• Data sources: Analysis of groundwater table fluctuations (GWTF) driven by pumping, water diversion, and irrigation; hydrodynamic field data; groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) data; soil salinity data; and consideration of anthropogenic inputs (e.g., fertilizers) and evaporite.

Main Results

• Pumping, water diversion, and irrigation contribute 25.61%, 26.33%, and 21.37% respectively to changes in the groundwater table.
• The amplitude of groundwater table fluctuation follows the order: natural fluctuation < irrigation fluctuation < diversion fluctuation < pumping fluctuation.
• A negative correlation exists between groundwater table fluctuation (GWTF) and groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS), while a positive correlation exists between groundwater TDS and soil salinity.
• In high-evaporation environments, groundwater salinization is primarily driven by external salts from anthropogenic inputs and evaporite, rather than direct evaporation.
• Groundwater table fluctuations (GWTF) govern the cyclic processes of salt accumulation and re-dissolution.
• The Greenberg logarithmic model was used to quantify dynamic groundwater TDS safety thresholds, demonstrating that these thresholds are not static but vary significantly with hydrodynamic conditions.

Contributions

• Elucidates the comprehensive mechanisms linking groundwater table fluctuation generation to salt transport and accumulation in arid irrigated regions.
• Quantifies the relative contributions of pumping, water diversion, and irrigation to groundwater table changes.
• Proposes and quantifies a dynamic safety threshold for groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS), highlighting its environmental dependence and variability with hydrodynamic conditions, which challenges the concept of static, universal thresholds.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Irrigation,
  author = {Zhang, Yuting and Qian, Hui and Hou, Kai and Fang, Yuan},
  title = {Irrigation reshaping groundwater dynamics to regulate salinity threshold and transport},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.134999},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.134999}
}