Protection of the Liuzheng Water Source: A Karst Water System in Dawu, Zibo, China

• Main Authors: Henghua Zhu, Yanan Dong, Liting Xing, Xiaoxun Lan, Lizhi Yang, Zhizheng Liu, Nongfang Bian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Water
• Subjects: tracer test; numerical simulation; pollution; division of protection areas; Liuzheng water source
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/698

The Dawu water source is a rare, large-scale groundwater source located in northern China. The water supply function from this water source has, however, been lost due to anthropogenic pollution. In order to fully utilize valuable groundwater resources, a new water source of urban domestic water in Liu Zheng is planned. In this study, a tracer test and a numerical simulation method are used to examine the hydraulic connection between the Liuzheng water source and the Wangzhai industrial park; to optimize the exploitation layout of the Liuzheng water source and Dawu water source; and to propose the extent of the Liuzheng water source protection area. Results indicate that: (1) Karst development in the study area is uneven, and the Wangzhai area is a recharge area of the Liuzheng water source; (2) it is predicted that the groundwater flow field will not be significantly changed when a groundwater volume of 150,000 m³/day is exploited from the Liuzheng water source; (3) it is predicted that the proposed chemical park in Wangzhai will gradually pollute to the groundwater in the northern area of Liuzheng; and (4) results using the empirical formula method and the numerical simulation method indicate that the area of the primary protection area of the Liuzheng water source is about 0.59 km², and the area of the secondary protection area is about 14.98 km². Results from this study provide a certain technical basis for the exploitation and protection of groundwater in the Liuzheng water source.