Conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water to reduce soil salinization in the Yinchuan Plain, North-West China

• Published in: International journal of water resources development Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 337 - 353
• Main Authors: Li, Peiyue, Qian, Hui, Wu, Jianhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Guildford Routledge 04.05.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agricultural development; Aquifers; Arid regions; China; Cities; Conjunctive use of water; Exploitation; Groundwater; Groundwater development; Groundwater modelling; Irrigation; issues and policy; Policies; Resource management; Rivers; Salinization; Soil; Soil salinity; Soil salinization; Soil water; Soils; Surface water; Surface-groundwater relations; water management; Water resources; Water resources management; Water supply; Yellow River; China; Yellow River
• ISSN: 0790-0627; 1360-0648; 1360-0648
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2018.1443059

Poor water resource management is an important factor in soil salinization in arid areas. In this study, the status of soil salinization and its controlling factors are summarized for the Yinchuan Plain, North-West China. The conjunctive use of surface water diverted from the Yellow River and groundwater abstracted from a shallow aquifer is proposed to alleviate soil salinization in the plain. Scenarios are designed and simulated to determine the optimal proportions at which groundwater should be exploited for irrigation in the three cities of the plain. Policies and suggestions regarding sustainable water resources and soil salinization research in the plain are recommended.