Impacts of land use/land cover patterns on groundwater quality in the Guanzhong Basin of northwest China

Abstract

Land use/land cover (LULC) significantly affects groundwater quality. This study analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of groundwater hydrochemical parameters in the Guanzhong Basin and assessed the relationships between the groundwater parameters and LULC using statistical models and a curved streamline searchlight-shaped model (CS-SLM). The results showed that higher groundwater parameter concentrations were observed in the north of the plain than in the south. Forest and water bodies showed a positive effect on most hydrochemical parameters (Na⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, F⁻, Cr⁶⁺), while bare land and cropland revealed a negative effect on them. In addition, the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model was used to predict the LULC patterns for 2030 and to qualitatively analyze the potential changes in groundwater quality associated with LULC changes. The simulation results highlighted a significant decrease in forest areas in the southern part of Guanzhong Plain by 2030, resulting in potential groundwater quality deterioration.

Keywords:

• Land use/land cover
• Spearman correlation
• LULC prediction
• Water quality change
• Guanzhong Plain

Author contributions

Fei Xu conceptualized the core idea, analyzed the data, and wrote the initial draft of the paper. Peiyue Li refined the idea, supervised the research, carried out additional analyses and finalized this paper. Song He helped in developing the methodology, refining the idea and editing the early version of the manuscript, and Wenqian Chen, Fan Li and Dawei Mu contributed to the writing and revisions. Vetrimurugan Elumalai helped in editing and discussion, and edited the final version.

Data availability statement

This manuscript does not contain associated data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42072286 and 41761144059), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (300102299301), the Fok Ying Tong Education Foundation (161098), and the National Ten Thousand Talent Program (W03070125); the Qinchuangyuan "Scientist+ Engineer" Team Development Program of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2022KXJ-005).