Formation conditions of natural waters in the Yangtze river valley and its adjacent territories, China

The purpose of the research is to study the formation conditions of natural waters of the eastern part of the South China Platform in the subduction influence zone under the effect of endogenous and exogenous processes of natural and man-made genesis. The material obtained during the study enables the analysis of the structure of domestic drinking water supply in the eastern regions of China as well as the availability and quality of water resources. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that the country is currently suffering an acute shortage of fresh water, which is caused by a number of reasons, including economic growth, industrialization, urban development, intensive (often uncontrolled) use of water resources in agriculture and industry of various types, as well as pollution caused by excessive eutrophication. One of the solutions of the water supply problem is understanding of the formation conditions of natural waters and analysis of the dynamics of regime-forming factors. The latter include natural, climatic, geological, structural, and man-made characteristics that determine various elements of the regional water balance. Based on the structural and hydrogeological analysis, recommendations are proposed in order to optimize the structure of water supply and provide rational use of surface and groundwater. The results of the conducted analysis can serve the basis for further research aimed at developing an effective water resources management strategy in Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang provinces.

1. Zhu Z., Zhou H., Ouyang T., Deng Q., Kuang Y., Huang N. Water shortage: a serious problem in sustainable development of China. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 2001;8(3):233-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500109470080.

2. Meng C., Du X., Ren Y., Shen L., Cheng G., Wang J. Sustainable urban development: an examination of literature evolution on urban carrying capacity in the Chinese context. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020;277:122802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122802.

3. Zhang Q., Hui Q., Xu P., Hou K., Yang F. Groundwater quality assessment using a new integrated-weight water quality index (IWQI) and driver analysis in the Jiaokou Irrigation District, China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2021;212:111992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111992.

4. Zeng Y., Xu L., Su J., Ali A., Peng Z., Li X. Assembling fixed-biofilm reactor with modified basalt fiber and modified wild jujube seed biochar for concurrent removal of nitrate, tetracycline and cadmium: performance and microflora response. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2024;434:140190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140190.

5. Mitina N.N., Zhou Ch., Shumakova E.M. The current state of water resources and water management in the People’s Republic of China. Innovation & Investment. 2022;6:46-51. (In Russ.). EDN: CLHHTW.

6. Li M.-G., Chen J.-J., Xu Y.-S., Tong D.-G., Cao W.-W., Shi, Y.-J. Effects of groundwater exploitation and recharge on land subsidence and infrastructure settlement patterns in Shanghai. Engineering Geology. 2021;282:105995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.105995.

7. Auzina L.I., Zhang Y., Ustyuzhanin A.O., Yaroshchuk I.A., Maslikov O.S., Kovtun K.K. Conditions of the formation of the main exogenous processes in the southwest part of the Baikal rift system (Russia) and in the eastern part of the south China block (China). Earth sciences and subsoil use. 2020;43(2):256-270. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21285/2686-99932020-43-2-256-270. EDN: YXELGM.

8. Molnar P., Tapponnier P. Cenozoic tectonics of Asia: effects of a continental collision. Science. 1975;189(4201):419426. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.189.4201.419.

9. Gu C., Hu L., Zhang X., Wang X., Guo J. Climate change and urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta. Habitat International. 2011;35(4):544-552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.03.002.

10. Chang Y. Water quality assessment and source apportionment of Huangpu River water pollution in Shanghai City, eastern China using APCS-MLR. Research Article. 2023. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188746/v1.

11. Song M., Zhang J., Bian G., Jie W., Wang G. Quantifying effects of urban land-use patterns on flood regimes for a typical urbanized basin in eastern China. Hydrology Research. 2020;51(6):1521-1536. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2020.110.

12. Yuan X., Li J., Mao C., Ji J., Yang Z. Geochemistry of water and suspended particulate in the lower Yangtze River: implications for geographic and anthropogenic effects. International Journal of Geosciences. 2012;3(1):81-92. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2012.31010.

13. Zhan G., Li J., Wang H., Wen X., Gu H. Origin and hydrochemical evolution of confined groundwater in Shanghai, China. Frontiers in Earth Science. 2023;11:1117132. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1117132.

14. Li X., Tang C., Cao Y., Li D. A multiple isotope (H, O, N, C and S) approach to elucidate the hydrochemical evolution of shallow groundwater in a rapidly urbanized area of the Pearl River Delta, China. Science of The Total Environment. 2020;724:137930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137930.

15. Sheng D., Meng X., Wen X., Wu J., Yu H., Wu M., et al. Hydrochemical characteristics, quality and health risk assessment of nitrate enriched coastal ground-water in northern China. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2023;403:136872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136872.

16. Zeng Y., Xu L., Su J., Ali A., Peng Z., Li X. Assembling fixed-biofilm reactor with modified basalt fiber and modified wild jujube seed biochar for concurrent removal of nitrate, tetracycline and cadmium: performance and microflora response. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2024;434:140190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140190.

17. Wen Y., Qiu J., Si C., Xu C., Gao X. Hydrochemical evolution mechanisms of shallow groundwater and its quality assessment in the estuarine coastal zone: a case study of Qidong, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(10):3382. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103382.

18. Denisenko I.A., Lunina O.V. Late Quarternary displacements along the Sarma segment of the Primorsky fault based on gpr survey data (Baikal rift). Geodynamics & Tectonophysics. 2020;11(3):548-565. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.5800/GT-2020-11-3-0490. EDN: KEZTKM.

19. Ma J., Zhou Z. Origin of the low-medium temperature hot springs around Nanjing, China. Open Geosciences. 2021;13(1):820-834. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2020-0269.

20. Valkova T.M., Krasavtsev I.V., Tang Quan. Tourism in China: current status, the main factors influencing its development. Geographical Environment and Living Systems. 2023;4:53-72. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18384/27127621-2023-4-53-72. EDN: KOTFZU.