5.1 Analysis of Rainfall Variability and Time-Series Sedimentation Variability
There is a clear correlation between groundwater extraction and surface subsidence. When groundwater is removed, the pore pressure initially present in the groundwater system decreases, leading to a reduction in the volume of pore water and a reconfiguration of the subsurface sediments, which results in ground subsidence [27][28]. This subsidence is usually permanent, and even if the water table is later restored, the voids created by the subsidence are unlikely to "reinflate" to their original volume upon rehydration. This is particularly the case if the subsurface strata are composed of compressible materials such as clay and silt. Seasonal precipitation can influence changes in groundwater levels.
Data on inter-monthly precipitation in Kunming were collected over the past three years to examine the impact of seasonal rainfall on surface settlement in the plateau basin region. Located in the central part of Yunnan Province, China, Kunming's high elevation (approximately 1900 meters) and its subtropical plateau monsoon climate contribute to significant monsoon-driven seasonal precipitation patterns. The dry season extends from November to April, with relatively low rainfall, while the wet season spans from May to October, bringing substantial precipitation. Summer alone accounts for 60% of the annual rainfall. The temporal deformation patterns in the six subsidence zones reveal that surface subsidence fluctuates, with episodes of surface uplift occurring intermittently, although the general trend is one of subsidence, with uplift and subsidence alternating.
As depicted in Fig. 15, the dotted line graph represents the monthly precipitation from 2020 to 2022, while the curved graph illustrates the time series of surface deformation in subsidence zones A through F. In June, when annual precipitation peaks, normal seasonal or multi-year average groundwater level fluctuations often cause minor subsidence and uplift. However, these surface changes are typically reversible, and the soil particles can return to a more stable state when the water table rises, due to the reestablishment of water lubrication and interparticle pressure.
5.2 Analysis of changes in the settlement zone
An analysis of the time series of subsidence across eight distinct periods from 2020 to 2022 reveals widespread surface subsidence in the Kunming urban area, particularly on the east side of Dianchi Lake. This area has consistently shown stable subsidence throughout the study period. Over time, the subsidence has expanded irregularly, radiating outward from the center of the subsidence funnel across the six most affected zones. The diffusion pattern is shaped by local factors such as surface moisture, built structures, and geological formations.
The six subsidence areas (A, B, C, D, E, and F) have displayed different subsidence rates and diffusion behaviors over time. Areas A, B, and C tend to diffuse outward, serving as surface sources of subsidence. In contrast, Areas D, E, and F do not exhibit significant vertical changes but display an increased rate and speed of settlement, acting as point sources of subsidence. The specifics of this are elucidated in Fig. 16.
In the northeastern part of the Dianchi Lake area, the impact on the settlement can be attributed to both the soft geological nature of the wetlands adjacent to Dianchi and the development and construction of buildings. Moving from the banks of Dianchi, particularly heading from wetlands towards the land, surface settlement gradually decreases due to the influence of Dianchi and progressively increases due to urban development activities.
5.3 Trends in sedimentation funnels
The cumulative data on surface settlement in the urban area of Kunming from January 2020 to October 2023 were compiled by integrating the monitoring results with projections from the predictive model. Settlement data from February 2020 and November 2021, along with predictions for August 2023, were selected for analysis. January 2020 served as the baseline with zero settlement to analyze the trend of surface settlement in the urban area of Kunming over the four-year period.
As illustrated in Fig. 17, the top pair of 3D graphs display the monitoring results, while the lower 3D graph presents the predictive outcomes. Settlement zones labeled 'A' and 'D' show a general trend of settlement, 'B' depicts a cylindrical settlement funnel, while 'C' represents a conical settlement funnel. 'E' shows slight irregular surface deformation, with the most significant settlement center located at the margins of the settlement area. 'F' is identified as the smallest settlement area within the studied region.
In our study, we monitored and predicted surface settlement events in the urban expanse of Kunming, aiming to discern the patterns of surface settlement and the trends of their causative changes. The study suggests that surface settlement poses a potential hazard to the structural integrity of buildings, particularly when there is a significant difference in the magnitude of local settlement deformation compared to nearby areas. This can lead to uneven stress distributions on the foundations of buildings, potentially causing structural cracking, collapse, and other safety issues.
Analyses indicate that small, initially dispersed settlement funnels are highly susceptible to damaging surface structures. Due to the relatively minor deformation initially, the buildings may exhibit only insignificant cracking, typically within the buildings' structural capacity. However, as these dispersed settlement funnels merge to form larger subsidence areas, they might not lead to substantial differential settlement impacting individual structures, but they pose a serious risk to territorial integrity and the stability of transportation infrastructure. Although road systems are designed to tolerate some degree of deformation, the potential for significant infrastructural damage from expansive areas of subsidence is real. As the phenomenon advances, extensive subsidence areas reemerge with dispersive activities, accompanied by the emergence of additional smaller subsidence funnels. This indicates a notable variance in subsidence magnitudes and results in more pronounced impacts on buildings. Consequently, surface subsidence exhibits periodic fluctuations, manifesting as a spiral dynamic process of alternating uplift and subsidence. This cyclical trend is also evident in the spatial distribution pattern: it begins with minor subsidence events, progresses to the development of large-scale subsidence zones, and ultimately disperses into smaller subsidence occurrences, a sequence that may repeat.
Through the preceding analyses, we have not only identified the cyclical pattern of urban surface settlement but also gained deeper insight into the impacts that may be triggered by the settlement phenomenon. These insights are essential for predicting future settlement trends and for the development of preventive measures and mitigation strategies. These can serve as a scientific basis for urban planning and infrastructure development, thus reducing the risk of damage to buildings and enhancing urban safety.
5.4 Kunming Sedimentation Zones and Wetland Distribution Analysis.
As illustrated in Fig. 18, there are wetland parks located primarily alongside the Dianchi Pond at the sedimentation centres of Sedimentation Areas A, C, and F. Dry Gouwei Wetland Park, Yungang River Lakeside Ecological Wetland, Caohai Tunnel Park, and Yuchang Wetland are found in Subsidence Area A. Daguan Park and Lakeside Ecological Wetland Park (Lantai House section), meanwhile, are situated in Subsidence Area B. Haihong Wetland Park and Xinghai Peninsula Lakeside Ecological Wetland Park are in Subsidence Area C, with Layu River Wetland Park sited in Subsidence Area F.
The establishment of wetland parks, given the inherently soft terrain characteristic of wetlands, may significantly influence the hydrological conditions in these areas. The construction within the wetland parks, coupled with the wetlands' pliable substrate, can lead to surface subsidence that might alter the hydrology of the area, potentially affecting the stability of the wetland ecosystem. For example, surface subsidence can change the soil properties within the air pockets, impacting the balance of groundwater recharge, runoff, and discharge, and thus the overall hydrological equilibrium.
When the water table falls, the river's base flow can decrease, and soil water content may drop below the level necessary to sustain the field capacity, adversely affecting the growth of native vegetation. Conversely, when the water table rises, evaporation can leave deposits of inorganic salts on the surface, potentially increasing soil salinity and leading to land salinization. Additionally, the root systems of plants that are intolerant to waterlogged conditions may die due to a lack of oxygen [29][30].
The sedimentation, pollution, and degradation of wetland ecosystems could collectively contribute to the decline of water quality in Dianchi [31]. Ground subsidence may result in inadequate flood discharge capacity and the accumulation of pollutants in the wetlands [32][33]. Consequently, these pollutants might seep into Dianchi because of changes in runoff patterns caused by the subsidence, impacting the water quality and affecting the lives of urban and rural residents who rely on Dianchi as a water source.
5.5 Traffic Roads and Surface Settlement: A Relationship Analysis
Urban roadways have a considerable impact on the occurrence of surface settlement [34][35]. The construction and subsequent operation of Kunming Metro Line 5, while enhancing urban transportation convenience, have likely affected the surface stability of the urban area, according to monitoring data from Subsidence Area B. Figure 19 shows the detailed distribution of traffic roads within Subsidence Area B. Notably, in major arteries and densely populated areas of Subsidence Area B—such as the G56 Hangrui Expressway, Guangfu Road, and along Metro Line 5—small subsidence depressions appear to align with the paths of roads and Metro lines. These subsidence patterns may be closely linked to changes in surface water content caused by the underground construction activities, which, in turn, affect the soil structure. Such changes have led to compromised road leveling and stability, inflicting damage to utilities, particularly underground pipelines and drainage systems. Over time, this could necessitate increased maintenance, raise urban repair costs, and pose safety hazards. The risks of surface settlement related to the construction and operation of Kunming Metro Line 5 also threaten the structural integrity of buildings, with metro stations and surrounding public facilities facing heightened risks. This situation not only jeopardizes structural integrity but also directly affects the safety and assets of residents (Fig. 20). As such, specific measures must be implemented to address these structural risks, including regular maintenance checks, prompt repairs, and, where necessary, structural reinforcement.
In the near term, the surface settlements caused by the construction and operation of metro lines demand improved monitoring and management to preclude broader impacts. For the future, the potential consequences on urban ecology, transportation safety, building integrity, and economic activities must be thoroughly evaluated. The development of robust preventive and response strategies is crucial, such as adjustments to metro line designs or operational methods, improved foundation treatments, and soil consolidation techniques. Crucially, a detailed investigation into how metro construction and operation influence urban surface settlement will aid in identifying and addressing related issues. This requires cross-disciplinary collaboration among geology, engineering, and urban planning experts. By establishing proper planning and construction standards, the risks of subsidence can be minimized, thus preserving the city's livability and sustainability.
5.6 SSA-LSTM evaluation analysis
Through conducting a comparative analysis of the SSA alongside other meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, we can attain a deeper understanding of the algorithm's strengths and weaknesses in tackling real-world problems [36]. Initially, we evaluate the performance of the SSA against a range of standard optimization test functions. Compared to classical metaheuristic methods such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), SSA shows substantial advantages in terms of search space exploitation and convergence rates. This reflects SSA's capacity to effectively balance exploration and exploitation by emulating the social behaviors observed in sparrow populations, including foraging, vigilance, and flight. Nevertheless, SSA may become trapped in local optima or show sensitivity to parameter settings in certain complex situations, indicating areas where enhancement is possible. Regarding real-world applications, recent research illustrates SSA's efficacy across various sectors, including engineering optimization, machine learning model parameter tuning, and supply chain management. Especially noteworthy is SSA's proficiency in addressing both continuous and discrete optimization problems through straightforward encoding methods within practical contexts. However, when facing complex issues in intricate domains, relying solely on SSA may be inadequate, thus necessitating further research to hone and broaden the algorithm's capabilities.
Considering the limitations of the SSA as discussed, future research could investigate several paths: firstly, to improve SSA's local search capacity, integrating strategies to navigate past local optima—akin to those used in simulated annealing or taboo search—appears promising. A second avenue is to intensify the focus on algorithm parameter tuning, seeking optimal parameter configurations for diverse problems or adopting adaptive parameter adjustment strategies to enhance the algorithm's adaptability. Thirdly, combining SSA with other optimization algorithms presents a chance to improve optimization outcomes while preserving the algorithm's simplicity and ease of implementation. Despite the challenges associated with local optima and parameter tuning, this opens up new prospects for addressing real-world issues. By refining SSA and integrating various search strategies, there is potential for resolving a broad spectrum of real-world optimization problems with increased efficiency in future endeavors.