An Integrated Multiobjective Optimization Model Considering Water-Balance Processes for Supporting Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture under Shallow Groundwater Environments
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 10
Abstract
Water scarcity, the intensification of agricultural nonpoint pollution, and continuous deterioration of the ecosystem are serious problems in arid areas. Optimal allocation of water resources is the key way to achieve sustainable and efficient development of irrigated agriculture. An integrated multiobjective optimization model considering water-balance processes was developed under shallow groundwater environments to enhance comprehensive objectives and obtain optimal irrigation solutions. A simulation module of the physical processes of water movement among crop root zones, soil water, and groundwater aquifers, and a multiobjective optimization module of irrigation water allocation were incorporated into a general framework. It has the following advantages in terms of (1) illustrating variations of agricultural hydrological parameters (e.g., soil water content, groundwater depth, groundwater-based evaporation, and so on) in water movement processes; (2) obtaining a set of noninferior decision-making solutions through a modified nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), which can maximize the interests for multiple parties; and (3) generating optimal solutions of irrigation water allocation and alleviating water scarcity, improving irrigation water productivity, and reducing negative environmental effects. To demonstrate its applicability, it was applied to optimize irrigation water allocation in the Jiefangzha Irrigation Subarea (JIS), China. It was firstly split into 44 irrigation subsystems, and each subsystem was assumed to be a homogeneous unit in meteorology, soil texture, and groundwater. Under the water competition between subsystems and rigid constraints of water availability, optimized results enhanced net economic benefits by 14.7%, saved 7.74% of irrigation water amount, and improved irrigation water productivity by 13% compared with status quo. Meanwhile, it can reduce graywater footprint of grain production by 58% compared with the average level of Hetao Irrigation District, China.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52009133 and 52130902). The authors would also extend the appreciation to the anonymous reviewers and editors for their comments and suggestions that were significantly helpful in improving quality of this paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 10 • October 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 7, 2023
Accepted: Jun 3, 2023
Published online: Jul 25, 2023
Published in print: Oct 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Dec 25, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Groundwater
- Hydrologic engineering
- Hydrologic properties
- Hydrology
- Irrigation
- Irrigation engineering
- Irrigation water
- Models (by type)
- Optimization models
- Pollution
- Water (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water conservation
- Water content
- Water management
- Water policy
- Water pollution
- Water shortage
- Water supply
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