Analysis of rainfall infiltration and its influence on groundwater in rain gardens.

The dynamic observation data on groundwater level and water quality were obtained from rain gardens #2 and #3 from May to October 2016. The water balance method and 2D numerical simulation of variable saturation zone were used to calculate rainfall infiltration recharge coefficient, water supply, and evaporative discharge of rain garden. These parameters were used to simulate and explore the impact of rainfall infiltration in rain gardens on groundwater level and water quality. The groundwater depth of rain gardens was mainly affected by the concentrated infiltration of rainfall. The variation range of groundwater depth was approximately 4.298 ± 0.031 mm for J1, 3.9364 ± 0.097 mm for J2, and 4.0958 ± 0.064 mm for J3, and the specific yield was 0.208. Groundwater quality was naturally attenuated and would not threaten the safety of groundwater at a certain scale. Visual MODFLOW was used to simulate groundwater flow and conduct parameter sensitivity analysis to determine the main influencing factors of garden groundwater level change. Results showed that rainfall recharge was crucial to module sensitivity.