Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2021-159
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2021-159
01 Dec 2021
 | 01 Dec 2021
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal CP but the revision was not accepted.

Changes in paleo-underground water levels revealed by water wells and their relationship with climate variations in imperial China

Chenyao Jiang, Xin Jia, Xinggong Kong, Meng Ou, and Harry Fung Lee

Abstract. Based on the records of the bottom elevations of 482 ancient water wells collected from published archaeological reports, we reconstructed the paleo-underground water levels (PUWL) in the urban areas of Chengdu, Changsha, Nanjing, Suzhou, Suqian, and Yancheng cities in the vicinity of 30° N in China. The PUWL fluctuations varied between the inland and the coastal regions and their transitional areas. There were four PUWL phases in the inland areas: low in Han (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), high in Tang (A.D. 618–907), low in Song (A.D. 960–1279), and high in Ming (A.D. 1368–1644). In contrast, there were five PUWL phases in the coastal regions: high in Han (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), low in Jin-Northern & Southern Dynasties (A.D. 266–589), high in Tang-Song (A.D. 618–1279), low in Ming (A.D. 1368–1644), and high in Qing-Republic of China (A.D. 1644–1949). Yet, there were no apparent changes in PUWL in the transitional areas between the inland and the coastal regions. Regional hydrological factors cause the geographic variations of the PUWL fluctuations. Precipitation changes drove the rise and fall of PUWL in the inland areas. In contrast, the variations of PUWL in the coastal regions were attributed to the temperature-induced sea-level changes. This study illustrates the potential of using PUWL in tracing paleo-environment changes and their driving factors, which is a novel approach in environmental archaeology.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Chenyao Jiang, Xin Jia, Xinggong Kong, Meng Ou, and Harry Fung Lee

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Pál Sümegi, 14 Dec 2021
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Xin Jia, 24 Jan 2022
  • CC1: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Jie Fei, 16 Dec 2021
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022
  • CC2: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Jie Fei, 16 Dec 2021
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC2', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Neil Macdonald, 19 Dec 2021
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Pál Sümegi, 14 Dec 2021
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Xin Jia, 24 Jan 2022
  • CC1: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Jie Fei, 16 Dec 2021
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022
  • CC2: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Jie Fei, 16 Dec 2021
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC2', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on cp-2021-159', Neil Macdonald, 19 Dec 2021
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Xin Jia, 25 Jan 2022
Chenyao Jiang, Xin Jia, Xinggong Kong, Meng Ou, and Harry Fung Lee
Chenyao Jiang, Xin Jia, Xinggong Kong, Meng Ou, and Harry Fung Lee

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Short summary
We reconstruct the paleo-underground water levels in six cities, based on 482 ancient water wells collected from published archaeological reports. We find that monsoon precipitation determined the groundwater table in inland regions, while temperature-induced sea-level changes influenced the groundwater table in coastal areas. Our findings reveal the huge potential of using archaeological materials to trace paleo-environmental changes and their driving factors.