Bi et al. (2026) Temporal and Spatial Variation Pattern of Groundwater Storage and Response to Environmental Changes in Shandong Province

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Water
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-10
• Authors: Yanyang Bi, Xiucui Tan
• DOI: 10.3390/w18020189

Research Groups

[Information not provided in the paper text.]

Short Summary

This study reconstructed monthly Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly (TWSA) and derived Groundwater Storage Anomaly (GWSA) in Shandong Province (2003–2024) to assess its spatiotemporal evolution and the relative contributions of climatic factors and human activities. It found a statistically significant GWSA decline at a rate of −8.45 mm/a, primarily driven by human activities (average contribution of 86.11%), with a clear east-west gradient of depletion.

Objective

• To reconstruct a monthly Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly (TWSA) series and derive Groundwater Storage Anomaly (GWSA) in Shandong Province from 2003 to 2024.
• To systematically examine the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of GWSA.
• To quantitatively assess the relative contributions of climatic factors and human activities to groundwater storage changes.
• To contribute to the development, utilization, and protection of groundwater in Shandong Province.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Shandong Province, China
• Temporal Scale: Monthly, from 2003 to 2024

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), water balance equation.
• Data sources: GRACE RL06 data.

Main Results

• Temporally, GWSA in Shandong Province exhibited a statistically significant decreasing trend at a rate of −8.45 mm/a (p < 0.01).
• The maximum GWSA value of 17.15 mm was recorded in 2006.
• A significant abrupt change point was identified in 2013 by Mann–Kendall analysis, after which GWSA persistently declined, reaching a minimum annual average of −225.78 mm in 2020.
• Seasonal analysis revealed a distinct "higher in autumn and lower in spring" pattern, with the most pronounced fluctuations in summer and most stable conditions in winter.
• Spatially, approximately 99.1% of the study area showed significant decreasing trends, displaying a clear east–west gradient with more severe depletion in inland regions compared to relatively stable coastal areas.
• Human activities emerged as the dominant driving factor, with an average contribution rate of 86.11% during 2003–2024.
• The areal proportion where human activities served as the decisive factor (contribution rate > 80%) increased dramatically to 99.58%.
• The impact of human activities demonstrated bidirectional characteristics, transitioning from negative influences during the depletion phase to positive contributions promoting groundwater recovery in recent years.
• GWSA in Shandong Province is expected to continue declining in the future, with an overall downward trend.

Contributions

• Provides a systematic and quantitative assessment of the spatiotemporal evolution of Groundwater Storage Anomaly (GWSA) in Shandong Province over a two-decade period.
• Quantifies the relative contributions of climatic factors and human activities to groundwater storage changes, identifying human activities as the dominant driver.
• Highlights the bidirectional nature of human activity impacts on groundwater, showing both depletion and recent recovery efforts.
• Offers crucial insights for the development, utilization, and protection of groundwater resources in the studied region, informing prompt countermeasure implementation.

Funding

[Information not provided in the paper text.]

Citation

@article{Bi2026Temporal,
  author = {Bi, Yanyang and Tan, Xiucui},
  title = {Temporal and Spatial Variation Pattern of Groundwater Storage and Response to Environmental Changes in Shandong Province},
  journal = {Water},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3390/w18020189},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020189}
}