Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Hydrogeological research in arid and semi-arid regions has entered a new stage driven by interdisciplinary integration and technological innovation, providing crucial support for the sustainable management of water-scarce areas. Research continues to make breakthroughs in core areas such as groundwater cycle mechanisms, hydrogeological modeling, and the coupling of landscape and hydrological processes. Through techniques such as hydrogen-oxygen stable isotope analysis and the chlorine mass balance method, diverse recharge sources and slow cycle characteristics have been clarified. The integration of open-source tools with remote sensing, GIS, and artificial intelligence has not only reduced the cost of constructing three-dimensional hydrogeological framework models but also enabled more precise drought risk assessment and dynamic water resource monitoring. For special systems such as desert springs and karst aquifers, the unique gushing mechanisms and hydrochemical laws have been elucidated. Furthermore, through field infiltration tests and data analysis, the impacts of soil type and land use on hydrological processes have been clarified, providing a scientific basis for land use planning and watershed management. Today, research methods that combine multi-source data fusion and field and laboratory work are becoming increasingly mature. Interdisciplinary collaboration has further streamlined the chain from mechanism research to application, enabling hydrogeological research results to serve practical needs such as water resource optimization, ecological protection, and climate change adaptation more efficiently.