Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (11): 1956-1968.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.11.15

• Agricultural Ecology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Chemical characteristics of groundwater and water-salt transport in different land classes in the Hetao Irrigation District

HOU Cong1,2(), SHI Haibin1,2(), MIAO Qingfeng1,2, HU Zhiyuan1,2, ZHAO Yi1,2, YU Cuicui1,2, YAN Yan1,2, FAN Liquan1,2, ZHANG Tao3   

  1. 1. College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018,Inner Mongolia, China
    2. High Efficiency Water-saving Technology and Equipment and Soil Water Environment Engineering Research Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot 010018, Inner Mongolia, China
    3. Hohhot Hydrology and Water Resources Sub-Center, Hohhot 010020, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2024-06-07 Revised:2024-08-04 Online:2024-11-15 Published:2024-11-29
  • Contact: SHI Haibin E-mail:2531741700@qq.com;shi_haibin@sohu.com

Abstract:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical characteristics of groundwater in farmland within Hetao Irrigation District, focusing on deep water conservation and the relationship between water and salt migration among various types of farmland. Typical irrigated farmland in Hetao Irrigation District was selected as the study area, and an analysis was conducted on shallow groundwater ions and changes in groundwater levels using classical statistics, principal component analysis, and the principle of solute dynamics. The main factors affecting groundwater quality were identified, and the changes in soil ions before and after crop cultivation were examined. Furthermore, the contribution of groundwater to salt accumulation across different types of farmland was quantified, and a water-salt equilibrium model was developed using the locational flux method. The results revealed the following: (1) Shallow groundwater cations were dominated by Na++K+, constituting 53.22% of total cations, while anions were dominated by SO42-, making up 41.04% of total anions; thus, the principal chemical type of groundwater was classified as HCO3·SO4-Na, with key factors affecting groundwater quality identified as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Na++K+, HCO3-, and SO42- through principal component analysis. (2) Salt accumulation before and after crop cultivation was mainly comprised of NaCl and Na2SO4. (3) Evapotranspiration (ET) varied across different types of fields, with measurements of 422.6 mm for wasteland, 475.6 mm for sunflower fields, and 625.8 mm for maize fields. (4) Maize, sunflower, and wasteland soils exhibited salt accumulation, with horizontal infiltration contributing 1924 kg·hm-2 of salt to wasteland, accounting for 22.00% of total salt accumulation. (5) There is a salt transition zone between wasteland and arable land, indicating the planting of salt-tolerant cash crops, such as sunflower, near wasteland to mitigate crop yield reductions due to high salinity levels. This study offers valuable insights into the efficient use of local water resources, soil salinity management, and sustainable agricultural development.

Key words: wasteland, soil salinity, groundwater recharge, salt ions, groundwater depth, dry drainage salinity, Hetao Irrigation District