Ecology-oriented groundwater sustainable exploitation plan in the wind-blown sand beach area of northern Shaanxi

The wind-blown sand area of northern Shaanxi lies in an arid and semi-arid area, where mineral resources are abundant and the eco-environment is vulnerable. Groundwater is not only the main source of water for production and living uses, but also the key factor of maintaining the regional eco-environmental evolution. The authors made clear the relation between the groundwater recharge and discharge conditions and eco-environment and then analyzed the eco-environmental response in the groundwater exploitation plan by using the groundwater flow numerical simulation technology and taking the groundwater exploitation-eco-environmental response-groundwater regulation and control as the main line. Finally, they determined the rational threshold limit values for groundwater exploitation. A technological support was provided for the groundwater exploitation and utilization and environmental improvement.