Characteristics of surface water-groundwater interaction in the fractured riverbank of the Gezhouba Reservoir area

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.10.5

Abstract

Abstract:

Surface water-groundwater interaction is a critical driver of basin-scale water cycling and solute transport. Its mechanisms hinge on fine-scale characterization of aquifer structure and hydrodynamics within riverbank zones. While previous studies have concentrated on alluvial banks, the exchange processes in fractured-bedrock riverbanks remain poorly understood due to geological heterogeneity and complex flow paths. Taking a representative fractured riverbank on the south shore of the Gezhouba Reservoir as a test site, we established a borehole monitoring network to characterize the groundwater response to Yangtze River stage fluctuations and developed a three-dimensional (3-D) coupled fracture-karst numerical model to quantify water exchange within the dual-layer fractured system. Key findings include: (1) The groundwater system consists of a dual-layer fractured aquifer intersected by three large karst conduits, with groundwater dynamics strongly regulated by river stage; (2) Discharge from the deeper layer exceeds that from the shallow layer; (3) The large conduits serve as the dominant pathways for groundwater storage, migration, and exchange with the Yangtze River, with discharge rates three orders of magnitude higher than the fractured aquifer matrix; (4) These conduits mediate inter-layer water transfer between the shallow and deep fractured aquifers. By quantifying exchange fluxes and conduit effects in the fractured-karst riverbank system, this study provides a transferable framework and technical paradigm for refined water-resource management at bedrock riverbanks and to support conservation efforts in the Yangtze River.

Key words: Gezhouba Reservoir, surface water-groundwater interaction, fractured riverbank, numerical modeling

CLC Number:

P641
P628.3

WEN Zhang, LI Yiming, GUO Xulei, WAN Tan, LUO Qingshu, ZHOU Hong. Characteristics of surface water-groundwater interaction in the fractured riverbank of the Gezhouba Reservoir area[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2026, 33(1): 1-13.

Figures/Tables 17

Fig.1 Stratigraphic framework and borehole profile of the study area

Fig.2 Borehole lithological columns, hydrogeological descriptions, core imaging records, core logging data, and well-logging results: (a) ZK08; (b) ZK09. The blue boxes indicate the main water-bearing (aquifer) sections.

Fig.3 Schematic diagram of groundwater occurrence

Table 1 Coordinates and characteristics of the three major fractures

	裂隙编号	深度/m	介质充填情况	岩性	倾向/(°)	倾角/(°)	隙宽/m
ZK09	1	49	无充填	粗晶白云岩	50	85	0.1
	2	11	无充填	粗晶白云岩	307	76	0.03
	3	78.4	无充填	粗晶白云岩	83	70	0.08
ZK08	1	32.7	局部泥质充填	粗晶白云岩	48	86	0.1
	2	20.3	局部泥质充填	粗晶白云岩	312	70	0.03
	3	44.5	局部方解石充填	粗晶白云岩	89	73	0.08

Fig.4 Temporal variations in water levels of the Yangtze River, ZK08, and ZK09

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of the simulated field area (blue indicates the simulation domain, and red marks the well locations)

Fig.6 Schematic diagram of aquifer characterization

Fig.7 Schematic diagram showing the distribution of fractures

Table 2 Model parameters

描述	符号	值
浅层含水层渗透系数	K₁	1×10^-3 m/d
浅层含水层孔隙度	θ₁	0.2
深层含水层渗透系数	K₂	1×10^-2 m/d
深层含水层孔隙度	θ₂	0.25
重力加速度	g	10 m/s²
流体运动粘度	v	1×10^-6 m²/s
流体的动力黏度	μ	1×10³ Pa·s
裂隙隙宽	m	0.03、0.08、0.1 m

Fig.8 Temporal variations of simulated and observed groundwater levels a—ZK08; b—ZK09。

Fig.9 1∶1 comparison between simulated and observed groundwater levels a—ZK08; b—ZK09。

Fig.10 Spatial distribution of hydraulic head at the initial time

Fig.11 Flow velocity and direction within fractures at the initial time

Fig.12 Location of the cross-section parallel to the Yangtze River and the groundwater flow field

Fig.13 Location of the cross-section perpendicular to the Yangtze River and the groundwater flow field

Fig.14 Surface water-groundwater exchange fluxes

Fig.15 Fracture water fluxes at stratigraphic interfaces

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