Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge
A steady state numerical groundwater flow model has been calibrated to characterize the spatial distribution of a key hydraulic parameter in a crystalline aquifer in southwestern Ghana. This was to provide an initial basis for characterizing the hydrogeology of the terrain with a view to assisting i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2013-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/606375 |
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| author | Sandow Mark Yidana Obed Fiifi Fynn Larry Pax Chegbeleh Prosper M. Nude Daniel K. Asiedu |
| author_facet | Sandow Mark Yidana Obed Fiifi Fynn Larry Pax Chegbeleh Prosper M. Nude Daniel K. Asiedu |
| author_sort | Sandow Mark Yidana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A steady state numerical groundwater flow model has been calibrated to characterize the spatial distribution of a key hydraulic parameter in a crystalline aquifer in southwestern Ghana. This was to provide an initial basis for characterizing the hydrogeology of the terrain with a view to assisting in the large scale development of groundwater resources for various uses. The results suggest that the structural entities that control groundwater occurrence in the area are quite heterogeneous in their nature and orientation, ascribing hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 4.5 m/d to over 70 m/d to the simulated aquifer. Aquifer heterogeneities, coupled possibly with topographical trends, have led to the development of five prominent groundwater flowpaths in the area. Estimated groundwater recharge at calibration ranges between 0.25% and 9.13% of the total annual rainfall and appears to hold significant promise for large-scale groundwater development to support irrigation schemes. However, the model suggests that with reduced recharge by up to 30% of the current rates, the system can only sustain increased groundwater abstraction by up to 150% of the current abstraction rates. Prudent management of the resource will require a much more detailed hydrogeological study that identifies all the aquifers in the basin for the assessment of sustainable basin yield. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b46970da14ff46989625756d3f0c7d9d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1537-744X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Scientific World Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-b46970da14ff46989625756d3f0c7d9d2025-02-03T01:33:25ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2013-01-01201310.1155/2013/606375606375Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced RechargeSandow Mark Yidana0Obed Fiifi Fynn1Larry Pax Chegbeleh2Prosper M. Nude3Daniel K. Asiedu4Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaA steady state numerical groundwater flow model has been calibrated to characterize the spatial distribution of a key hydraulic parameter in a crystalline aquifer in southwestern Ghana. This was to provide an initial basis for characterizing the hydrogeology of the terrain with a view to assisting in the large scale development of groundwater resources for various uses. The results suggest that the structural entities that control groundwater occurrence in the area are quite heterogeneous in their nature and orientation, ascribing hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 4.5 m/d to over 70 m/d to the simulated aquifer. Aquifer heterogeneities, coupled possibly with topographical trends, have led to the development of five prominent groundwater flowpaths in the area. Estimated groundwater recharge at calibration ranges between 0.25% and 9.13% of the total annual rainfall and appears to hold significant promise for large-scale groundwater development to support irrigation schemes. However, the model suggests that with reduced recharge by up to 30% of the current rates, the system can only sustain increased groundwater abstraction by up to 150% of the current abstraction rates. Prudent management of the resource will require a much more detailed hydrogeological study that identifies all the aquifers in the basin for the assessment of sustainable basin yield.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/606375 |
| spellingShingle | Sandow Mark Yidana Obed Fiifi Fynn Larry Pax Chegbeleh Prosper M. Nude Daniel K. Asiedu Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge The Scientific World Journal |
| title | Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge |
| title_full | Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge |
| title_fullStr | Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge |
| title_short | Hydrogeological Conditions of a Crystalline Aquifer: Simulation of Optimal Abstraction Rates under Scenarios of Reduced Recharge |
| title_sort | hydrogeological conditions of a crystalline aquifer simulation of optimal abstraction rates under scenarios of reduced recharge |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/606375 |
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