Rethinking the rationality of evapotranspiration calculated by using water table fluctuation from the angle of earth tides

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00234

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 275-283.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00234

Rethinking the rationality of evapotranspiration calculated by using water table fluctuation from the angle of earth tides

Ming Zhao¹^,²(), Jiaqi Liu¹^,², Weichen Liu¹^,², Mengting Zhong¹^,², Youheng Huang¹^,²

^1.School of Land Engineering /, Chang'an University，Xi'an 710054 China
^2.Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Land Reclamation Engineering /, Chang'an University，Xi'an 710054 China
^3.MOE Key Laboratory of Underground Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Regions, Chang'an University，Xi'an 710054 China

Received:2025-04-20 Revised:2025-09-22 Online:2026-05-20 Published:2026-06-11

Abstract

Abstract:

In hydrogeological studies， the White method， which relies on diurnal groundwater level fluctuations， is commonly used for convenient estimation of evapotranspiration. This method presupposes that such fluctuations result primarily from plant water uptake. However， the “four fundamental assumptions” underlying the White method exhibit significant limitations in practical applications. To evaluate the rationality of this approach， this study analyzes groundwater level dynamics from multiple sites to elucidate the intrinsic drivers of water level fluctuations. The results indicate that diurnal periodic fluctuations occur under both bare soil and vegetated conditions， suggesting that attributing water level changes solely to plant water use lacks sufficient basis. Further analysis reveals that the periodicity of groundwater fluctuations aligns with that of Earth tides， indicating the influence of Earth-Moon gravitational forces. Consequently， estimating evapotranspiration using the White method based on groundwater fluctuations entails considerable uncertainty. By questioning the applicability of the White method from the perspective of Earth tides， this study aims to provide critical insights for researchers in related fields and promote further refinement of the methodology.

Key words: water table fluctuation, White method, earth tides, earth-moon gravity, evapotranspiration

CLC Number:

X523

Ming Zhao, Jiaqi Liu, Weichen Liu, Mengting Zhong, Youheng Huang. Rethinking the rationality of evapotranspiration calculated by using water table fluctuation from the angle of earth tides[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2026, 46(3): 275-283.

Figures/Tables 6

References 45

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序号	观测井位置	国家	观测井经纬度坐标	海拔/m	数据获取时间	参考出处
1	河西走廊-黑河流域	中国	38°59′12″N，99°51′33″E	1 504	2017年8月	王京晶等(2021)^[28]
2	黑河下游额济纳	中国	41°59′N，101°10′E	921	2014年和2020年6—8月	张琦等(2022)^[29]
3	毛乌素沙地	中国	38°23′27″N，109°11′42″E	1 288	2012年6月	Jiang等(2017)^[30]
4	巴丹吉林沙漠	中国	39°04′15″N，101°34′02″E	1 194	2018年8月	李琳等(2022)^[31]
5	鄂尔多斯盆地苏贝淖流域	中国	38°20′21″N，108°40′23″E	966	2014年8月	李洪波等(2012)^[32]
6	苏丹裂谷盆地	苏丹	17°01′32″S，30°40′11″E	553	2006年8月	Abdalla (2010)^[33]
7	罗斯托克站点	德国	54°03′N，12°10′E	89	2004年10月	Mould等(2010)^[34]
8	堪萨斯州1号	美国	37°03′55″N，97°02′23″W	601	2002年8月	Loheide等(2005)^[35]
9	堪萨斯州2号	美国	37°03′55″N，97°02′23″W	601	2004年9月	Butler等(2007)^[36]
10	内布拉斯加州1号	美国	40°55′31″N，98°20′18″W	790	2014年7月	Yue等(2016)^[37]
11	内布拉斯加州2号	美国	40°55′31″N，98°20′18″W	790	2014年7月	Loheide等(2008)^[38]

序号	观测井位置	国家	观测井经纬度坐标	海拔/m	数据获取时间	参考出处
1	河西走廊-黑河流域	中国	38°59′12″N，99°51′33″E	1 504	2017年8月	王京晶等(2021)^[28]
2	黑河下游额济纳	中国	41°59′N，101°10′E	921	2014年和2020年6—8月	张琦等(2022)^[29]
3	毛乌素沙地	中国	38°23′27″N，109°11′42″E	1 288	2012年6月	Jiang等(2017)^[30]
4	巴丹吉林沙漠	中国	39°04′15″N，101°34′02″E	1 194	2018年8月	李琳等(2022)^[31]
5	鄂尔多斯盆地苏贝淖流域	中国	38°20′21″N，108°40′23″E	966	2014年8月	李洪波等(2012)^[32]
6	苏丹裂谷盆地	苏丹	17°01′32″S，30°40′11″E	553	2006年8月	Abdalla (2010)^[33]
7	罗斯托克站点	德国	54°03′N，12°10′E	89	2004年10月	Mould等(2010)^[34]
8	堪萨斯州1号	美国	37°03′55″N，97°02′23″W	601	2002年8月	Loheide等(2005)^[35]
9	堪萨斯州2号	美国	37°03′55″N，97°02′23″W	601	2004年9月	Butler等(2007)^[36]
10	内布拉斯加州1号	美国	40°55′31″N，98°20′18″W	790	2014年7月	Yue等(2016)^[37]
11	内布拉斯加州2号	美国	40°55′31″N，98°20′18″W	790	2014年7月	Loheide等(2008)^[38]

Rethinking the rationality of evapotranspiration calculated by using water table fluctuation from the angle of earth tides

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