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.