Attenuation of the contribution of groundwater to a wetland caused by
groundwater overexploitation
Abstract
The continuous exploitation of groundwater has made wetland degradation
an ecological and geological environmental problem that cannot be
ignored and which has had impacts on the ecological environment and
human production and life. In this study, with the help of Visual
MODFLOW software, we used numerical simulation technology to simulate
the wetland–aquifer interaction during the multiyear pumping process,
establish a quasi-ideal model of wetlands based on the actual area of
the Baiyangdian Basin, simulate the relationship of water quantity
change between wetlands and piedmont plain aquifers during groundwater
exploitation and its natural recovery process, and quantify the
attenuation of the contribution of groundwater to wetlands caused by
groundwater overexploitation. The results show that the impact of
groundwater overexploitation on wetland degradation is mainly divided
into two parts: one is the reduced base flow from the piedmont plain to
the wetland, and the other is the induced infiltration caused by the
reverse recharge of groundwater from the wetland due to the pumping
effect. At the beginning of pumping, the effect of reduced base flow on
wetland degradation is dominant, but with a longer pumping time, the
effect of induced infiltration on wetland degradation exceeds the effect
of reduced base flow. After stopping pumping, the effect of induced
infiltration on wetland degradation responds instantly and decreases
rapidly, while the effect of reduced base flow on wetland degradation
continues for a long time. The total water reduction of wetlands
increases with increasing hydraulic conductivity, and in actual wetland
areas, if groundwater overexploitation is not restricted or artificial
supply measures are not taken, the amount of wetland water will
gradually decrease until it is exhausted.