Study on the Evolvement Trend Process of Hydrological Elements in Luanhe River Basin, China

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, there have been significant changes in the runoff process in the Luanhe River basin, exacerbating the scarcity of water resources and their spatiotemporal variability. Therefore, conducting research on the characteristics, trends, and cycles of runoff changes in the Luanhe River basin is of great theoretical and practical significance. This study selected rainfall data from the hydrological stations in Weichang, Chengde, and Qinhuangdao in the Luanhe River basin, covering the period from 1985 to 2008, as well as runoff data from the Hanjiaying, Sandaohezi, and Chengde stations. Based on linear trend regression analysis, the Mann–Kendall rank correlation test, Spearman correlation test, Mann–Kendall method, and Mann–Whitney–Pettitt change point analysis method, this study analyzed the trends in water quantity changes and their change points in the Luanhe River basin. The results of the precipitation at the Weichang and Chengde stations show a non-significant rising trend, remaining relatively stable with slightly increases. Conversely, the precipitation of Qinhuangdao Station shows a decreasing trend over time, albeit non-significant. Considering the detailed diagnostic results from both the Mann–Kendall (M-K) and MWP methods, the change point for Weichang precipitation is identified as 2007, while for Chengde, it spans from 1999 to 2002, and for Qinhuangdao, it is around 1997. The trend of the runoff series of three stations shows a significant decreasing trend and strong significance, and the change point for the annual runoff at the Hanjiaying station and the Sandaohezi station is identified as 2006, and for the Chengde station, the primary change point is 2006, with a secondary change point around 2002. The findings of this research can provide scientific references for the rational development and utilization of regional water resources.