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Towards Sustainability: The Geochemistry of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems
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Towards Sustainability: The Geochemistry of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1727

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shen Qu

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Guest Editor
Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of River and Lake Ecology, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Interests: hydrochemistry; surface water–groundwater interaction; isotope hydrology; groundwater quality
Dr. Shouchuan Zhang

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Guest Editor
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: hydrochemistry; groundwater quality; machine learning; surface water–groundwater interaction
Dr. Xiaohui Ren

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Guest Editor
College of Desert Control Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Interests: hydrochemistry; isotope hydrology; surface water-groundwater interaction; water quality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The intensification of global climate change and related anthropogenic activities have significantly altered both the quality of water and interactions between surface water and groundwater, as well as modifying hydrological cycle processes. These changes have caused the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of water resources, the degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and consequential impacts on human production activities and socio-economic development. Therefore, evaluating the hydrodynamic interactions between groundwater and surface water systems, characterizing hydrological cycling processes, and delineating spatiotemporal distribution patterns of regional water resources hold the crucial significance for advancing scientific management frameworks and optimizing rational utilization strategies for water resources.

Groundwater and surface water are the vital freshwater resources on Earth, forming an essential component of the global hydrological cycle. The mechanisms of interaction between these two water compartments primarily manifest through three dominant processes—groundwater discharge into surface water, surface water infiltration replenishing aquifers, and biogeochemical exchanges at aquatic–terrestrial interfaces. These dynamic interactions facilitate bidirectional transfers of water fluxes and biogeochemical substances (including carbon, nitrogen, heavy metals, and other solutes) across aquifer–surface water systems (rivers, lakes, wetlands, and marine ecosystems). The resulting mass transport mechanisms critically govern surface water recharge dynamics and influence groundwater quality evolution.

This Special Issue aims to publish high-quality geochemical studies on groundwater and surface water systems. Geochemical methods coupled with other approaches (such as laboratory and field experiments, numerical modeling, machine learning, etc.) in order to understand interactions between surface water and groundwater systems are highly welcome in this Special Issue. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, and research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The application of geochemical methods in surface water and groundwater quality evolution;
  • Multiple approaches to understanding surface water and groundwater interactions;
  • Geological disasters induced by the interaction between surface water and groundwater;
  • Tracing water and substance circulation via isotopes;
  • Te geochemistry of thermal water circulation;
  • Geological disasters related to the water cycle

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Shen Qu
Dr. Shouchuan Zhang
Dr. Xiaohui Ren
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geochemistry
  • hydrochemistry
  • isotope
  • groundwater–surface water interaction
  • numerical modeling
  • thermal water
  • water cycle

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 7212 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment of Geological Hazards in Dawukou, Shizuishan City Based on the Information Value Model
by Yongfeng Gong, Shichang Gao, Gang Zhang, Guorui Wang, Zheng He, Zhiyong Hu, Hui Wang, Xiaofeng He and Yaoyao Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135990 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 321
Abstract
Geological hazards pose significant threats to ecological stability, human lives, and infrastructure, necessitating precise and robust risk assessment methodologies. This study evaluates geological hazard risks in Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, using the information value (IV) model. The study systematically [...] Read more.
Geological hazards pose significant threats to ecological stability, human lives, and infrastructure, necessitating precise and robust risk assessment methodologies. This study evaluates geological hazard risks in Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, using the information value (IV) model. The study systematically identifies susceptibility, hazard, and vulnerability factors influencing geological disaster risks by integrating diverse datasets encompassing geological conditions, meteorological parameters, and anthropogenic activities. The key findings reveal that hilly landforms, slope gradients, and vegetation indices are the dominant contributors to hazard development. Additional factors, including lithology, fault proximity, and precipitation, were also found to play critical roles. The results categorize the district into four risk zones: high-risk areas (1.55% of the total area), moderate-risk areas (10.16%), Low-risk areas (23.32%), and very-low-risk areas (64.97%). These zones exhibit a strong spatial correlation with geomorphic features, tectonic activity, and human engineering interventions, such as mining and infrastructure development. High-risk zones are concentrated near mining regions and fault lines with steep slopes, while low-risk zones are predominantly in flat plains and urban centers. The reliability of the risk assessment was validated through cross-referenced geological hazard occurrence data and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, achieving a high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.88). The study provides actionable insights for disaster prevention, mitigation strategies, and urban planning, offering a scientific basis for resource allocation and sustainable development. The methodology and findings serve as a replicable framework for geological hazard risk assessments in similar regions facing diverse environmental and anthropogenic challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainability: The Geochemistry of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems)
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18 pages, 4751 KiB  
Article
Hydrochemical Formation Mechanisms and Source Apportionment in Multi-Aquifer Systems of Coastal Cities: A Case Study of Qingdao City, China
by Mingming Li, Xinfeng Wang, Jiangong You, Yueqi Wang, Mingyue Zhao, Ping Sun, Jiani Fu, Yang Yu and Kuanzhen Mao
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5988; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135988 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 405
Abstract
This study systematically unravels the hydrochemical evolution mechanisms and driving forces in multi-aquifer systems of Qingdao, a coastal economic hub. Integrated hydrochemical analysis of porous, fissured, and karst water, combined with PHREEQC modeling and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), deciphers water–rock interactions and anthropogenic [...] Read more.
This study systematically unravels the hydrochemical evolution mechanisms and driving forces in multi-aquifer systems of Qingdao, a coastal economic hub. Integrated hydrochemical analysis of porous, fissured, and karst water, combined with PHREEQC modeling and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), deciphers water–rock interactions and anthropogenic perturbations. Groundwater exhibits weak alkalinity (pH 7.2–8.4), with porous aquifers showing markedly higher TDS (161.1–8203.5 mg/L) than fissured (147.7–1224.8 mg/L) and karst systems (361.1–4551.5 mg/L). Spatial heterogeneity reveals progressive hydrochemical transitions (HCO3-Ca → SO4-Ca·Mg → Cl-Na) in porous aquifers across the Dagu River Basin. While carbonate (calcite) and silicate weathering govern natural hydrochemistry, evaporite dissolution and seawater intrusion drive severe groundwater salinization in the western Pingdu City and the Dagu River Estuary (localized TDS up to 8203.5 mg/L). PMF source apportionment identifies acid deposition-enhanced dissolution of carbonate/silicate minerals, with nitrate contamination predominantly sourced from agricultural runoff and domestic sewage. Landfill leachate exerts pronounced impacts in Laixi and adjacent regions. This study offering actionable strategies for salinity mitigation and contaminant source regulation, thereby providing a scientific framework for sustainable groundwater management in rapidly urbanizing coastal zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainability: The Geochemistry of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems)
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23 pages, 25599 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation and Risk Assessment of Debris Flows in Suyukou Gully, Eastern Helan Mountains, China
by Guorui Wang, Hui Wang, Zheng He, Shichang Gao, Gang Zhang, Zhiyong Hu, Xiaofeng He, Yongfeng Gong and Jinkai Yan
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135984 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 506
Abstract
Suyukou Gully, located on the eastern slope of the Helan Mountains in northwest China, is a typical debris-flow-prone catchment characterized by a steep terrain, fractured bedrock, and abundant loose colluvial material. The area is subject to intense short-duration convective rainfall events, which often [...] Read more.
Suyukou Gully, located on the eastern slope of the Helan Mountains in northwest China, is a typical debris-flow-prone catchment characterized by a steep terrain, fractured bedrock, and abundant loose colluvial material. The area is subject to intense short-duration convective rainfall events, which often trigger destructive debris flows that threaten the Suyukou Scenic Area. To investigate the dynamics and risks associated with such events, this study employed the FLO-2D two-dimensional numerical model to simulate debris flow propagation, deposition, and hazard distribution under four rainfall return periods (10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-year scenarios). The modeling framework integrated high-resolution digital elevation data (original 5 m DEM resampled to 20 m grid), land-use classification, rainfall design intensities derived from regional storm atlases, and detailed field-based sediment characterization. Rheological and hydraulic parameters, including Manning’s roughness coefficient, yield stress, dynamic viscosity, and volume concentration, were calibrated using post-event geomorphic surveys and empirical formulations. The model was validated against field-observed deposition limits and flow depths, achieving a spatial accuracy within 350 m. Results show that the debris flow mobility and hazard intensity increased significantly with rainfall magnitude. Under the 100-year scenario, the peak discharge reached 1195.88 m3/s, with a maximum flow depth of 20.15 m and velocities exceeding 8.85 m·s−1, while the runout distance surpassed 5.1 km. Hazard zoning based on the depth–velocity (H × V) product indicated that over 76% of the affected area falls within the high-hazard zone. A vulnerability assessment incorporated exposure factors such as tourism infrastructure and population density, and a matrix-based risk classification revealed that 2.4% of the area is classified as high-risk, while 74.3% lies within the moderate-risk category. This study also proposed mitigation strategies, including structural measures (e.g., check dams and channel straightening) and non-structural approaches (e.g., early warning systems and land-use regulation). Overall, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of physically based modeling combined with field observations and a GIS analysis in understanding debris flow hazards and supports informed risk management and disaster preparedness in mountainous tourist regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainability: The Geochemistry of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems)
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