Analysis of groundwater resources in densely populated urban watersheds with a complex tectonic setting: Shenzhen, southern China

Lancia, Michele; Zheng, Chunmiao; Yi, Shuping; Lerner, David N.; Andrews, Charles

Analysis of groundwater resources in densely populated urban watersheds with a complex tectonic setting: Shenzhen, southern China | Analyse des ressources en eau souterraine d’un bassin urbanisé densément peuplé dans un contexte de tectonique complexe: Shenzhen, sud de la Chine Análisis de los recursos de agua subterránea en cuencas urbanas densamente pobladas con un entorno tectónico complejo: Shenzhen, sur de China 地质构造复杂和人口密集的城市流域—深圳市流域的地下水资源分析 Analisi delle risorse idriche sotterranee in zone densamente popolate e con un complesso assetto geologico: Shenzhen, Cina meridionale Análise dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos em bacias urbanas densamente povoadas com uma complexa configuração tectônica: Shenzhen, sul da China

2019

Lancia, Michele | Zheng, Chunmiao | Yi, Shuping | Lerner, David N. | Andrews, Charles

Shenzhen is the major financial and high-tech center in southern China. The megacity has grown rapidly in the last 40 years with the population increasing from about 30,000 in 1979 to 20 million in 2016. The study area (2,015 km²) is about 42% urban and 58% undeveloped land. The rapid development of the megacity has resulted in severe degradation of the groundwater and surface-water resources and has created a nearly insatiable demand for water, with an average consumption of 2000 × 10⁶ m³/year. Groundwater is an important component of the baseflow of the many streams in the area and is used for potable water supply and irrigation in some of the rural parts of the municipality. This study develops a conceptual model and quantitative framework for assessing the groundwater resources of Shenzhen. The groundwater system consists of shallow aquifers of alluvium and weathered bedrock overlying low permeability igneous and sedimentary rocks. The complex geologic setting was conceptualized as a block structure with blocks bounded by high-angle faults. The water budget in Shenzhen was quantified. The estimated average groundwater discharge is about 12% of annual precipitation. The study provides a starting point to investigate how a megacity such as Shenzhen should manage and protect its groundwater as a strategic resource and environmental asset. It is also a basic management tool for analyzing and contributing to urban drainage concepts such as the “sponge city”.

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