Optimizing groundwater development strategies by genetic algorithm: a case study for balancing the needs for agricultural irrigation and environmental protection in northern China

Gaoqing Plain is a major agriculture center of Shandong Province in northern China. Over the last 30 years, the diversion of Yellow River water for intensive irrigation in Gaoqing Plain has led to elevation of the water table and increased evaporation, and subsequently, a dramatic increase in salt content in soil and rapid degradation of crop productivity. Optimal strategies have been explored, that will balance the need to extract sufficient groundwater for irrigation (to ease the pressure on diverting Yellow River water) with the need to improve the local environment by appropriately lowering the water table. Two simulation-optimization models have been formulated and a genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to search for the optimal groundwater development strategies in Gaoqing Plain, while keeping the adverse environmental impacts in check. Compared with the trial-and-error approach of previous studies, the optimization results demonstrate that using an optimization model coupled with a GA search is both effective and efficient. The optimal solutions identified by the GA will provide Gaoqing Plain with the blueprints for developing sustainable groundwater abstraction plans to support local economic development and improve its environmental quality.