Groundwater modeling predicts future water shortage in North China Plain.
Groundwater resources in the North China Plain were evaluated using a 3D groundwater flow model. The researchers divided the area into three aquifers and simulated groundwater flow from 2002 to 2003. By adjusting parameters, they predicted groundwater levels and safe yields for the next 10 years. The study found an average groundwater recharge rate of 256.68×108m3/a, with safe yields of 191.65×108m3/a in shallow aquifers and 22.64×108m3/a in deep aquifers. The model can help plan groundwater exploitation and assess environmental impacts in the future.