Reconstructing Groundwater Storage Changes in the North China Plain Using a Numerical Model and GRACE Data

Groundwater has been extensively exploited in the North China Plain (NCP) since 1970s, leading to various environmental issues. Numerous studies have utilized Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data analyze changes groundwater storage NCP provide valuable insights. However, low spatial resolution of GRACE posed challenges for its widespread application, there limited focusing on refining NCP. In addition, lack gap period between GRACE-FO hinders in-depth research regional anomalies (GWSA). This paper applied a model called NGFLOW-GRACE construct change at resolutions both 1° 0.05°. The was calibrated driven using gratis data, with hydrogeological parameter values estimated shuffled complex evolution algorithm (SCE-UA). exhibited favorable performance, correlation coefficients greater than 0.85 during calibration 55% 0.50 validation period. Interestingly, results indicate that different combinations remote sensing do not significantly impact outcomes, while hydraulic gradient coefficient demonstrates highest sensitivity. Appropriate reconstructed were selected within empty window period, by downscaling 0.05°, complete cycle (January 2003 December 2020) GWSA derived. Through comprehensive comparisons previous findings temporal scales, it can be concluded downscaled obtained from established demonstrated high reliability.