ABSTRACT

With an area of 140,000 km2, the alluvial plain located in northern China has one of the largest aquifers in East Asia. The recharge of this shallow groundwater system is mainly from rainfall. There is also recharge from surface water through riverbanks and from irrigated areas. Groundwater flows from the foot of the mountains to the coastal plain. Isotopic data from deeper aquifers show that the water flowing from the foot of mountains needs several thousand to over 10 thousand years to reach the middle and coastal plains. Long periods of groundwater overexploitation, especially in the deeper aquifers, not only cause many boreholes to dry up but also create many eco-environmental problems. A detailed investigation of the aquifers was undertaken. Progress has been made on sustainable use of groundwater in socio-economic development.