Groundwater Flux Research Articles

Open-Source Code for Radium-Derived Ocean-Groundwater Modeling: Project Open RaDOM

Radium has been commonly used as a tracer of submarine groundwater discharge to the ocean and embankments, as radium activities are commonly input into box models to calculate a groundwater flux. Similarly, isotopes of radium (Ra224, Ra223, Ra226, Ra228) have been used to calculate water mass ages, which have been used as a proxy for residence times. Less commonly, radium and other tracers have been utilized in mixing models to determine the relative contribution of groundwater to a marine system. In the literature, all of these methods have almost exclusively been solved using analytical methods prone to large errors and other issues. Project Open RaDOM, introduced here, is a collection of open-source R scripts that numerically solve for groundwater flux, residence time, and relative contribution of groundwater to coastal systems. Solving these models numerically allows for over-constrained systems to increase their accuracy and force real solutions. The scripts are written in a way to make them user-friendly, even to scientists unfamiliar with R. This communication includes a description of the scripts in Project Open RaDOM, a discussion of examples in the literature, and case studies of the scripts using previously published data.

Using Automated Seepage Meters to Quantify the Spatial Variability and Net Flux of Groundwater to a Stream

AbstractWe utilized 251 measurements from a recently developed automated seepage meter (ASM) in streambeds in the Nebraska Sand Hills, USA to investigate the small‐scale spatial variability of groundwater seepage flux (q) and the ability of the ASM to estimate mean q at larger scales. Small‐scale spatial variability of q was analyzed in five dense arrays, each covering an area of 13.5–28.0 m2 (169 total point measurements). Streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (K) was also measured. Results provided: (a) high‐resolution contour plots of q and K, (b) anisotropic semi‐variograms demonstrating greater correlation scales of q and K along the stream length than across the stream width, and (c) the number of rows of points (perpendicular to streamflow) needed to represent the groundwater flux of areas up to 28.0 m2. The findings suggest that representative streambed measurements are best conducted perpendicular to streamflow to accommodate larger seepage flux heterogeneity in this direction and minimize sampling redundancy. To investigate the ASM's ability to produce accurate mean q at larger scales, seepage meters were deployed in four stream reaches (170–890 m), arranged in three to six transects (three to eight points each) per reach across the channel. In each reach, the mean seepage flux from ASMs was compared to the seepage flux from bromide tracer dilution. Agreement between the two methods indicates the viability of a modest number of seepage meter measurements to determine the overall groundwater flux to the stream and can guide sampling for solutes and environmental tracers.

Analytical solution for estimating transient vertical groundwater flux from temperature-depth profiles

Many studies have developed analytical models for describing the subsurface heat transfer to estimate the infiltration rate, that is, the vertical groundwater flux (VGF). These studies assumed that the VGF was constant in time to acquire mathematical tractability. However, the assumption generally violates the natural system and cannot delineate the transient behavior of the VGF. Such an illogical assumption would contribute to unreliable estimation of the VGF from field-observed temperature-depth (TD) profiles. To accurately estimate VGF based on an analytical model, this study develops a new analytical heat-transfer model and a novel inverse approach to estimate the transient VGF. The analytical model is verified by a numerical model based on the finite-element method. We further perform the sensitivity analysis to the analytical model to examine the temperature response to changes in the thermal parameters. It reveals that thermal dispersion has a minor effect on temperature. The results of the numerical experiment show that the present approach can yield the correct transient VGF. Finally, the present approach is applied to estimate the transient VGF for a field case study. The results show that the predicted VGF and the measured VGF are almost consistent, revealing that our method is feasible for the estimation of VGF in the field.

Inferring Aquitard Hydraulic Conductivity Using Transient Temperature‐Depth Profiles Impacted by Ground Surface Warming

AbstractAquitard hydraulic properties are notoriously difficult to assess, yet accurate aquitard hydraulic conductivity estimates are critical to quantify recharge and discharge to and from semi‐confined aquifer systems via hydraulic head gradients. Such flux quantification is required to evaluate the risks of aquifer exploitation by groundwater abstraction and aquifer vulnerability to surface contamination. In this study, we consider a regionally important aquitard and compare existing hydraulic conductivity estimates obtained through traditional methods to those inferred from long‐term hydraulic head monitoring and thermally derived vertical groundwater fluxes (0.04–0.25 m/y). We estimate the fluxes using numerical modeling to analyze the propagation of decadal climate signals into temperature‐depth profiles and fitting the simulated and observed inflection point depths (location of minimum temperature). Results suggest that climate‐disturbed temperature‐depth profiles paired with multi‐level head data can yield accurate vertical fluxes and aquitard hydraulic conductivities. This approach for characterizing groundwater systems and quantifying flows to and from sedimentary aquifers is more efficient but yields results that are comparable to conventional methods.

Evaluating the movement of dissolved porewater species through a marine sediment 51 years after establishment of a pulp and paper effluent stabilization basin

Over 50 years ago, a marine estuary was converted to a wastewater stabilization basin for treatment of primarily pulp and paper effluent. As a result, the basin was immediately converted to a “freshwater” environment and subsequently accumulated a thin layer of black, organic-rich sediment containing varying amounts of dioxins and furans, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Previous studies on the site have shown that the majority of this contamination in the basin appears to have been contained within this black sediment layer and not migrated to any significant extent into the original underlying marine sediments. The purpose of this study is to examine sediment porewater chemistry changes that have occurred over 51 years of operation of the stabilization basin with the intent of better understanding why contamination has been minimal into the underlying natural marine sediments. Field and laboratory testing is presented to characterize the physical, chemical, and mineralogical sediments in the basin. Porewater chemistry profiles obtained from this work are then used in combination with a one-dimensional contaminant transport model to examine the role of diffusion, sorption, and upward groundwater flux in the porewater profiles found for the sediments.

Groundwater-derived U and Ba exports from a coastal acid sulfate soil (CASS) catchment following rain events

Coastal acid sulfate soil (CASS) catchments are regions of enhanced weathering due to sulfur mineral oxidation following drainage of anoxic wetland soils. Heavy rainfall flushes CASS soils, releasing dissolved metals to nearby estuaries and the coastal ocean. The importance of CASS environments on the release of uranium (U) and barium (Ba) to the coastal ocean is not well understood. Here, we discuss daily observations of dissolved Ba and U in an extensively drained CASS system in Australia under contrasting hydrological conditions. Radon-traced groundwater discharge following rain events released trace metals to surface waters. Groundwater fluxes of Ba and U were on average 10% and 30% of the total surface fluxes in the Tuckean Swamp, respectively. The average local surface water fluxes from the Tuckean Swamp were 1692 and 1.6 μmol/m2/yr from the catchment. On a global scale, dissolved Ba and U derived from CASS systems may be equivalent to 1.0% and 2.5% of rivers, respectively, even though CASS cover only ∼0.1% of the global continental area. While CASS may not be a major contributor of dissolved Ba and U to the global ocean, fluxes on a square meter basis indicate that CASS may be highly important to regional U and Ba budgets.

Quantifying lake–aquifer water exchange: the case of Lake Urmia, Iran

ABSTRACT This study investigated the lake–aquifer hydraulic interactions in Lake Urmia (LU) as the second largest hypersaline lake in the world. Due to the scarcity of hydrogeological data required for modelling, a method based on Darcy’s Law and lake water budget was used to quantify the lake–aquifer interaction. Long-term ground- and satellite-based hydrological datasets over the time frame 2001–2019 were used. Results indicate that the groundwater flux between LU and the aquifers controls 18.74 ± 1.67% of the lake’s water storage. While 10 out of 14 adjacent aquifers recharge LU at a rate of less than 180 m3/m.month, one phreatic aquifer recharges the LU up to 1400 m3/m.month. Two aquifers are recharged from the seawater of LU at a rate of 110–640 m3/m.month. The results of this study lead to a holistic understanding of the hydraulic interaction of LU–aquifers, which is essential for the sustainable management of both settings.

Combining passive and active distributed temperature sensing measurements to locate and quantify groundwater discharge variability into a headwater stream

Abstract. Exchanges between groundwater and surface water play a key role for ecosystem preservation, especially in headwater catchments where groundwater discharge into streams highly contributes to streamflow generation and maintenance. Despite several decades of research, investigating the spatial variability in groundwater discharge into streams still remains challenging mainly because groundwater/surface water interactions are controlled by multi-scale processes. In this context, we evaluated the potential of using FO-DTS (fibre optic distributed temperature sensing) technology to locate and quantify groundwater discharge at a high resolution. To do so, we propose to combine, for the first time, long-term passive DTS measurements and active DTS measurements by deploying FO cables in the streambed sediments of a first- and second-order stream in gaining conditions. The passive DTS experiment provided 8 months of monitoring of streambed temperature fluctuations along more than 530 m of cable, while the active DTS experiment, performed during a few days, allowed a detailed and accurate investigation of groundwater discharge variability over a 60 m length heated section. Long-term passive DTS measurements turn out to be an efficient method to detect and locate groundwater discharge along several hundreds of metres. The continuous 8 months of monitoring allowed the highlighting of changes in the groundwater discharge dynamic in response to the hydrological dynamic of the headwater catchment. However, the quantification of fluxes with this approach remains limited given the high uncertainties on estimates, due to uncertainties on thermal properties and boundary conditions. On the contrary, active DTS measurements, which have seldom been performed in streambed sediments and never applied to quantify water fluxes, allow for the estimation of the spatial distribution of both thermal conductivities and the groundwater fluxes at high resolution all along the 60 m heated section of the FO cable. The method allows for the description of the variability in streambed properties at an unprecedented scale and reveals the variability in groundwater inflows at small scales. In the end, this study shows the potential and the interest of the complementary use of passive and active DTS experiments to quantify groundwater discharge at different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, results show that groundwater discharges are mainly concentrated in the upstream part of the watershed, where steepest slopes are observed, confirming the importance of the topography in the stream generation in headwater catchments. However, through the high spatial resolution of measurements, it was also possible to highlight the presence of local and highly contributive groundwater inflows, probably driven by local heterogeneities. The possibility to quantify groundwater discharge at a high spatial resolution through active DTS offers promising perspectives for the characterization of distributed responses times but also for studying biogeochemical hotspots and hot moments.

Response and contribution of shallow groundwater to soil water/salt budget and crop growth in layered soils

Shallow groundwater affects crop growth and yield by altering the root zone water and salt budgets, with the process being more complicated in layered soils. To gain insights into the role of shallow groundwater in layered soils, LAWSTAC, a physically-based agro-hydrological model, was employed to simulate soil water, salt, and groundwater fluxes and crop yield in three soil profiles: loam (L), loam with a sand interlayer (LSL), and loam with a clay interlayer (LCL). The model was verified using data collected in 2007 and 2008 from a spring wheat field with shallow groundwater tables. The model predictions matched well with the measured soil water content, salt concentration, groundwater table depth (GWD), leaf area index, biomass, and crop yield. Further simulations were conducted for the L, LSL, and LCL profiles with varying GWDs in the crop growth seasons and initial values specified at 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, and 250 cm. The groundwater table showed greater fluctuations in LCL, with smaller fluctuations in LSL in comparison to L. When starting with smaller initial GWDs (of 130, 150, 170, and 190 cm), the coarse-textured soil under the root zone facilitated water and salt fluxes at the bottom of the root zone, resulting in larger averages for root zone water storage and more salt content during the crop growth seasons and lower crop yield due to salt stress. Meanwhile, in cases with an initial GWD larger than 210 cm, the coarse-textured soil inhibited the fluxes and improved crop yield due to the reduced salt stress. Fine-textured soil under the root zone inhibited water and salt fluxes, reducing root zone salt content and favoring crop yield; however, the effect decreased with larger initial GWDs. Thus, the groundwater table should be lowered to a level where coarse-textured soil acts as a capillary barrier for salt control and crop growth in soil profiles similar to LSL. Keeping a high groundwater table to sustain water for crop growth is acceptable in soil profiles similar to LCL, while keeping a lower groundwater table could be an effective practice to control salt and improve crop production in salinized croplands.

Isotope hydrology to provide insights into the behaviour of temporary wetlands as a basis for developing sustainable ecohydrological management strategies in Mediterranean regions

AbstractThe lack of hydrological considerations in the existing protection statutes for small temporary wetlands has recently been pointed out as the main cause of their rapidly increasing disappearance. In the present study, we aim to demonstrate the interest of using the tools of isotope hydrology to obtain a rapid and cost effective understanding of the hydrological connectivity of Mediterranean temporary wetlands in order to define the optimal environmental conditions needed to ensure their sustainability. By combining physical and isotope measurements, we have investigated the fragile balance of direct precipitation, subsurface water and groundwater influencing the hydroperiod of a typical Mediterranean temporary pond. The use of the water stable isotopes enabled us to demonstrate (i) the major role played by groundwater and subsurface water in the flooding phase of the temporary pond; (ii) the involvement of different water reservoirs in varying proportions over time to maintain the pond filled with water: precipitation, subsurface and groundwater by using d‐excess; (iii) the main role played by evaporation in starting the drying up phase; and (iv) the connection existing between a geographically isolated wetland and the regional groundwater body. These results highlight the urgent need to consider both surface and groundwater fluxes in specific protection statutes for wetlands. To this end, we recommend the use of the water stable isotopes to provide insights into the hydrological behaviour of the wetlands in order to dispose of additional cost‐effective arbitration arguments to help ensure their sustainability. The lack of hydrological considerations in existing protection statutes for small temporary wetlands has recently been pointed out as the main cause of their disappearance. Here, by combining physical and isotopes measurements, we first highlight the main role played by groundwater in the flooding phase of the temporary pond and the involvement of different water reservoirs in varying proportions over time to maintain the pond filled. These results demonstrate the connection existing between a geographically isolated wetland and the regional groundwater and highlight the urgent need to consider both surface and groundwater fluxes in specific protection statutes for wetlands.

Solving hindered groundwater dynamics in restored tidal marshes by creek excavation and soil amendments: A model study

Groundwater fluxes in tidal marshes largely control key ecosystem functions and services, such as vegetation growth, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. In tidal marshes restored on formerly embanked agricultural land, groundwater fluxes are often limited as compared to nearby natural marshes, as a result of historical agricultural soil compaction. To improve the functioning of restored tidal marshes, knowledge is needed on how much certain design options can optimize soil-groundwater interactions in future restoration projects. Based on measured data on soil properties and tidally induced groundwater dynamics, we calibrated and evaluated a 2D vertical model of a creek-marsh cross-section, accounting for both saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport in a variably saturated groundwater flow model. We found that model simulations of common restoration practices such as soil amendments (increasing the depth of porous soil on top of the compact layer) and creek excavation (increasing the creek density) increase the soil aeration depth and time, the drainage depth and the solute flux, and decrease the residence time of solutes in the porewater. Our simulations indicate that increasing the depth to the compact layer from 20 cm to 40 cm, or increasing the creek density from 1 creek to 2 creeks along a 50 m marsh transect (while maintaining the total creek cross-sectional area), in both cases more than doubles the volume of water processed by the marsh soil. We discuss that this may stimulate nutrient cycling. As such, our study demonstrates that groundwater modelling can support the design of marsh restoration measures aiming to optimize groundwater fluxes and related ecosystem services.

Application of a novel cascade-routing and reinfiltration concept with a Voronoi unstructured grid in MODFLOW 6, for an assessment of surface-water/groundwater interactions in a hard-rock catchment (Sardon, Spain)

Integrated hydrological modelling (IHM) can reliably characterize surface-water/groundwater interactions in complex hydrological systems such as hard-rock systems (HRS), located in water-limited environments (WLE). Such HRS-WLE conditions are represented by Sardon catchment (~80 km2) in Spain, where the MODFLOW 6 modelling environment was tested, applying the following improvements as compared to previous works in that catchment: a new conceptual model, driving forces redefined based on remote sensing data, an unstructured Voronoi grid, and, most importantly, a novel cascade-routing and reinfiltration (CRR) concept. In the standard MODFLOW 6, rejected infiltration and groundwater exfiltration have always been considered as sinks (evaporation). However, in reality, that water can not only evaporate but also reinfiltrate back to the subsurface or move as runoff towards drainage water bodies. The CRR improves surface–unsaturated-zone interactions and also surface-water/groundwater interactions. The standard and new capacities of MODFLOW 6 are presented in the transient model of the Sardon catchment, calibrated using 7 years of daily groundwater heads and streamflows. The results showed: the large spatio-temporal variability of the groundwater fluxes, the substantial role of groundwater exfiltration, the low catchment storage, the fast reaction of the water table and streams to rainfall, and the mosaic character of the net recharge. These characteristics are typical for HRS-WLEs with a shallow water table. MODFLOW 6 has many improvements compared to previous MODFLOW versions, so with the proposed CRR concept (still can be improved), the single-environment MODFLOW 6 has modelling capacity comparable with multienvironment IHMs, while being more flexible and more efficient.

An ADTS Toolbox for Automatically Interpreting Active Distributed Temperature Sensing Measurements.

Active distributed temperature sensing (ADTS) experiments are very useful to provide in-situ and distributed estimates of thermal conductivities of the subsurface and of groundwater flows. However, the data interpretation can be seen as difficult considering the large amount of data collected along a heated fiber-optic cable and the lack of associated tools for their automated analysis. In this context, we developed an automated routine program for the interpretation of ADTS measurements: the ADTS Toolbox. It contains several codes written in MATLAB that calculate, for each measurement point located along a heated section, both the thermal conductivity of the surrounding material and the groundwater flux. In addition, it provides uncertainties on the estimated thermal conductivities and fluxes according to the temperature resolution (noise) or to errors on temperature measurements. By offering the possibility of automatically interpreting ADTS measurements, the ADTS Toolbox facilitates the use and interpretation of ADTS experiments for characterizing at high resolution the groundwater flows distribution and for imaging the thermal conductivities variability.

Caffeine and Paraxanthine as Tracers of Anthropogenic Wastewater in Coastal Lagoons in Yucatan, Mexico.

Due to karstic bedrock geology and poor wastewater management practices, anthropogenic activities are impacting water quality in Yucatan's aquatic systems. Specifically, raw wastewater inputs to the aquifer subsequently flow to coastal lagoons through groundwater fluxes. This study establishes the presence of anthropogenic wastewater by measuring caffeine and its metabolite, paraxanthine, in four of Yucatan's major coastal lagoons: Celestun, Chelem, Dzilam de Bravo, and Ria Lagartos. Concentrations of caffeine ranged from non-detected (ND) to 2390ng L-1 and paraxanthine from ND to 212ng L-1, which correspond with pollution threats from anthropogenic wastewater inputs. The potential sources are: (1) direct in situ discharges from nearby urban settlements; and (2) contribution from submerged groundwater discharges. Overall, results indicate the potential of caffeine as an environmental tracer of anthropogenic wastewater contamination for the region.

Mapped Predictions of Manganese and Arsenicin an Alluvial Aquifer Using Boosted Regression Trees.

Manganese (Mn) concentrations and the probability of arsenic (As) exceeding the drinking‐water standard of 10 μg/L were predicted in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA) using boosted regression trees (BRT). BRT, a type of ensemble‐tree machine‐learning model, were created using predictor variables that affect Mn and As distribution in groundwater. These variables included iron (Fe) concentrations and specific conductance predicted from previously developed BRT models, groundwater flux and age estimates from MODFLOW, and hydrologic characteristics. The models also included results from the first airborne geophysical survey conducted in the United States to target an entire aquifer system. Predictions of high Mn and As occurred where Fe was high. Predicted high Mn concentrations were correlated with fraction of young groundwater (less than 65 years) computed from MODFLOW results. High probabilities of As exceedance were predicted where groundwater was relatively old and airborne electromagnetic resistivity was high, typically proximal to streams. Two‐variable partial‐dependence plots and sensitivity analysis were used to provide insight into the factors controlling Mn and As distribution in groundwater. The maps of predicted Mn concentrations and As exceedance probabilities can be used to identify areas where these constituents may be high, and that could be targeted for further study. This paper shows that incorporation of a selected set of process‐informed data, such as MODFLOW results and airborne geophysics, into a machine‐learning model improves model interpretability. Incorporation of process‐rich information into machine‐learning models will likely be useful for addressing a wide range of problems of interest to groundwater hydrologists.

Groundwater Dynamics of a Lake-Floodplain System: Role of Groundwater Flux in Lake Water Storage Subject to Seasonal Inundation

Groundwater Dynamics of a Lake-Floodplain System: Role of Groundwater Flux in Lake Water Storage Subject to Seasonal Inundation

Groundwater Dynamics of a Lake-Floodplain System: Role of Groundwater Flux in Lake Water Storage Subject to Seasonal Inundation

Groundwater Dynamics of a Lake-Floodplain System: Role of Groundwater Flux in Lake Water Storage Subject to Seasonal Inundation

Salinity Contributions from Geothermal Waters to the Rio Grande and Shallow Aquifer System in the Transboundary Mesilla (United States)/Conejos-Médanos (Mexico) Basin

Freshwater scarcity has raised concerns about the long-term availability of the water supplies within the transboundary Mesilla (United States)/Conejos-Médanos (Mexico) Basin in Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua. Analysis of legacy temperature data and groundwater flux estimates indicates that the region’s known geothermal systems may contribute more than 45,000 tons of dissolved solids per year to the shallow aquifer system, with around 8500 tons of dissolved solids being delivered from localized groundwater upflow zones within those geothermal systems. If this salinity flux is steady and eventually flows into the Rio Grande, it could account for 22% of the typical average annual cumulative Rio Grande salinity that leaves the basin each year—this salinity proportion could be much greater in times of low streamflow. Regional water level mapping indicates upwelling brackish waters flow towards the Rio Grande and the southern part of the Mesilla portion of the basin with some water intercepted by wells in Las Cruces and northern Chihuahua. Upwelling waters ascend from depths greater than 1 km with focused flow along fault zones, uplifted bedrock, and/or fractured igneous intrusions. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of using heat as a groundwater tracer to identify salinity sources and further informs stakeholders on the presence of several brackish upflow zones that could notably degrade the quality of international water supplies in this developed drought-stricken region.

Temporal evolution of acid mine drainage (AMD) leachates from the abandoned tharsis mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the mining of sulfide deposits is one of the most important causes of water pollution worldwide. Remediation measures, especially in historical abandoned mines, require a deep knowledge of the geochemical characteristics of AMD effluents and metal fluxes, considering their high spatial and temporal evolution, and the existence of point and diffuse sources with a different response to rainfall events. This study investigates the temporal variations and hydrogeochemical processes affecting the composition of main AMD sources from the Tharsis mines (SW Spain), one of most important historical metal mining districts in the world. To address this, a fortnightly-monthly sampling was performed during two years in the main AMD sources and streams within the mine site covering different hydrological conditions. A seasonal pattern was observed linked to hydrological variations; higher pollutant concentrations were observed during the dry season (maximum values of 4,6 g/L of Al, 11,8 g/L of Fe, and 67 g/L of sulfate) and lower ones were observed during the rainy periods. Stream samples exhibited a negative correlation between electrical conductivity (EC) and flow, while positive values were observed in AMD sources, where groundwater fluxes were predominant. High flow also seems to be the main driver of Pb fluxes from AMD sources, as the concentration of Pb in waters increased notably during these events. The precipitation of secondary Fe minerals may limit the mobility of As and V, being retained in the proximity of mine sites. The concentration of Zn in waters seems to be controlled by the original grade in the metal deposit from which the waste is generated, together with the age of these wastes. The pollutant load delivered by the Tharsis mines to the surrounding water courses is very high; e.g., mean of 733 ton/yr of Al or 2757 ton/yr of Fe, deteriorating the streams and reservoirs downstream.

Evaluation of effects of limited irrigation on regional-scale water movement and salt accumulation in arid agricultural areas

Irrigation plays an important role in agricultural production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the conflict between water supply and demand will become more serious with increasing population. This study was to evaluate the effects of limited irrigation on regional-scale water movement and salt accumulation processes in agricultural areas. Due to frequent vertical interactions between the saturated groundwater zone and the unsaturated soil water zone and significant lateral groundwater movement between different horizontal areas in arid and semi-arid agricultural areas with shallow groundwater level, a quasi-three-dimensional (quasi-3D) model was adopted, which coupled one-dimensional (1D) soil water and salt movement and 3D groundwater and salt movement. The Yonglian irrigation area was used as the typical study site. Nine limited irrigation scenarios based on different allocations of irrigation water and hydrological years were set and analyzed. The main results were as follows: (1) The net groundwater recharge is negative under most of limited irrigation conditions, causing the decline of groundwater level ranging from 0.028 m to 0.199 m within one year. (2) With the decrease of irrigation and precipitation in farmland during the crop growth period, the groundwater recharge, groundwater recharge concentration, leaching efficiency coefficient will decrease linearly, while soil salt storage index will increase linearly. (3) Salts may accumulate in the root zone for dry years or normal years with autumn irrigation water less than 100 mm per unit area. (4) Lateral groundwater fluxes and salts contained in lateral groundwater fluxes will reduce approximately 30% and 40% under limited irrigation conditions. (5) The root zone will suffer from a very severe threat of soil salinization in farmlands in the future when considering the average annual increase rate of soil salt in the root zone is 3.6% under limited irrigation conditions, and necessarily intervenes are needed. The results could support decision-making for water-saving and soil salinity prevention in arid agricultural districts.