A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022

Our understanding of water and salt changes in the context of declining groundwater levels in the Tarim Basin remains limited, largely due to the scarcity of hydrological monitoring stations and field observation data. This study utilizes water and salt monitoring data from 474 apparent electromagne...

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Main Authors: Fei Wang, Yang Wei, Rongrong Li, Hongjiang Hu, Xiaojing Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1312
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author Fei Wang
Yang Wei
Rongrong Li
Hongjiang Hu
Xiaojing Li
author_facet Fei Wang
Yang Wei
Rongrong Li
Hongjiang Hu
Xiaojing Li
author_sort Fei Wang
collection DOAJ
description Our understanding of water and salt changes in the context of declining groundwater levels in the Tarim Basin remains limited, largely due to the scarcity of hydrological monitoring stations and field observation data. This study utilizes water and salt monitoring data from 474 apparent electromagnetic induction (ECa, measured by EM38-MK2 device) sites across seven oases, combined with groundwater level observation data from representative areas, to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in ECa within the oases of the Tarim Basin from 2000 to 2022. Specific results are shown below: Numerous algorithmic predictions show the ensemble learning algorithm with the smallest error explained 71% of the ECa spatial variability. The ECa was particularly effective at identifying areas where groundwater extends beyond a depth of 5 m, demonstrating increased efficacy when ECa readings exceed the threshold of 1100 mS/m. Our spatiotemporal analysis spanning the years 2000 to 2022 has revealed a significant decline in ECa values within the artificially irrigated zones of the oasis clusters. In contrast, the transitional ecotone between the desert and the oases in Atux, Aksu, Kuqa, and Luntai have experienced a significant increase in ECa value. The variations observed within the defined Zone B, where ECa values ranged from 800 mS/m to 1100 mS/m, and Zone A, characterized by ECa values exceeding 1100 mS/m, aligned with the periodic fluctuations in the groundwater drought index (GDI), indicating a clear pattern of correlation. This study demonstrated that ECa can serve as a valuable tool for revealing the spatial and temporal variations of water resources in arid zones. The results obtained through this approach provided essential references for the local scientific management of soil and water resources.
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spelling doaj-art-4be23bb732324750a7ca7c8c4356eb3d2025-08-20T03:03:21ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-04-01177131210.3390/rs17071312A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022Fei Wang0Yang Wei1Rongrong Li2Hongjiang Hu3Xiaojing Li4School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaOur understanding of water and salt changes in the context of declining groundwater levels in the Tarim Basin remains limited, largely due to the scarcity of hydrological monitoring stations and field observation data. This study utilizes water and salt monitoring data from 474 apparent electromagnetic induction (ECa, measured by EM38-MK2 device) sites across seven oases, combined with groundwater level observation data from representative areas, to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in ECa within the oases of the Tarim Basin from 2000 to 2022. Specific results are shown below: Numerous algorithmic predictions show the ensemble learning algorithm with the smallest error explained 71% of the ECa spatial variability. The ECa was particularly effective at identifying areas where groundwater extends beyond a depth of 5 m, demonstrating increased efficacy when ECa readings exceed the threshold of 1100 mS/m. Our spatiotemporal analysis spanning the years 2000 to 2022 has revealed a significant decline in ECa values within the artificially irrigated zones of the oasis clusters. In contrast, the transitional ecotone between the desert and the oases in Atux, Aksu, Kuqa, and Luntai have experienced a significant increase in ECa value. The variations observed within the defined Zone B, where ECa values ranged from 800 mS/m to 1100 mS/m, and Zone A, characterized by ECa values exceeding 1100 mS/m, aligned with the periodic fluctuations in the groundwater drought index (GDI), indicating a clear pattern of correlation. This study demonstrated that ECa can serve as a valuable tool for revealing the spatial and temporal variations of water resources in arid zones. The results obtained through this approach provided essential references for the local scientific management of soil and water resources.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1312groundwater levelelectromagnetic inductiontemporal and spatial variationTarim Basinmachine learning
spellingShingle Fei Wang
Yang Wei
Rongrong Li
Hongjiang Hu
Xiaojing Li
A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
Remote Sensing
groundwater level
electromagnetic induction
temporal and spatial variation
Tarim Basin
machine learning
title A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
title_full A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
title_fullStr A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
title_short A Novel Electromagnetic Induction-Based Approach to Identify the State of Shallow Groundwater in the Oasis Group of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang During 2000–2022
title_sort novel electromagnetic induction based approach to identify the state of shallow groundwater in the oasis group of the tarim basin in xinjiang during 2000 2022
topic groundwater level
electromagnetic induction
temporal and spatial variation
Tarim Basin
machine learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1312
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