Shallow groundwater dynamics and its driving forces in extremely arid areas: a case study of the lower Heihe River in northwestern China

摘要: Shallow groundwater is an important source of water for the maintenance and restoration ecosystems in arid environments, which necessitates a deeper understanding its complex spatial temporal dynamics driven by hydrological processes. This study explores dominant processes that control shallow Gobi Desert-riparian-oasis system lower Heihe River, typical inland river basin located northwestern China. The level temperature were monitored 14 wells at 30-min intervals during 2010-2012 period. After combining this information with meteorological data, comprehensive analysis was conducted to understand dynamic behaviour determine factors flow results indicate notably large variations both temperature. Noticeable fluctuations (0.5-1 m) (4-8 C) observed riparian zone, evidencing clear influence. In comparison, Desert more stable (the annual table less than 0.5 m, varied no 2 C). Strong (1.5-5.0 m/year) (1.5-6.5 C), mainly caused surface flood irrigation pumping, oasis area. investigated sites categorized into three types reflect processes: (1) dominated riverbank filtration evapotranspiration; (2) area, controlled evaporation lateral recharge; (3) evapotranspiration as well surface-groundwater interactions human activities. 2012 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.