Dynamic evolution characteristics and influencing mechanisms of groundwater in the Zoige Plateau

Yong Liu; An-bang Huang; Hao Liu; Bo Peng; Xin Zhang; Qinqin HUANG

doi:10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280055

Volume 13 Issue 3

Jun. 2025

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Article Navigation > Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering > 2025 > 13(3): 286-300

Liu Y, Huang AB, Liu H, et al. 2025. Dynamic evolution characteristics and influencing mechanisms of groundwater in the Zoige Plateau. Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 13(3): 286-300 doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280055

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Dynamic evolution characteristics and influencing mechanisms of groundwater in the Zoige Plateau

doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280055

1.
Institute of Exploration Technology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu 710043, China
2.
Sichuan Provincial Institute of Ecological Restoration and Geological Disaster Prevention in Territorial Spatial Governance, Chengdu 610081, China

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Corresponding author: 362641894@qq.com
Received Date: 2024-10-20
Accepted Date: 2025-04-16

Available Online: 2025-08-08

Publish Date: 2025-06-30

Abstract

Abstract

The Zoige Plateau, situated on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exhibits complex groundwater dynamics influenced by alpine hydrological processes and climatic variability. This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of groundwater in the Zoige alpine basin from 2002 to 2024 using an integrated approach that combines in-situ monitoring, GRACE satellite observations, and GLDAS model outputs. Using the Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) method alongside conventional statistical techniques, we identified both seasonal fluctuations and long-term depletion trends. Groundwater levels exhibited clear wet–dry season contrasts and a cumulative decline of up to 2.3 m in grassland flatlands, corresponding to a long-term depletion rate of 0.4 cm/a as indicated by GRACE-derived groundwater storage. The most significant declines occurred in grassland zones, driven by wetland degradation and elevated evapotranspiration, while mountain regions showed slower losses (~0.1 cm/a) primarily supported by sustained snowmelt recharge. Through the integration of multi-source datasets, this study highlights the spatial heterogeneity and key drivers of groundwater variation, providing a robust framework for sustainable groundwater management under climatic and anthropogenic pressures in alpine wetland systems.
- Zoige Plateau,
- Groundwater dynamics,
- GRACE,
- Spatiotemporal variation,
- Climate change

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References

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2305-7068/© Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering Editorial Office. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0)

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