The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania
Study region: Little Kinyasungwe River Catchment, central semi-arid Tanzania. Study focus: The structure and hydraulic properties of superficial geology can play a crucial role in controlling groundwater recharge in drylands. However, the pathways by which groundwater recharge occurs and their sensi...
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doaj-1d825ac33c524d0fac451873c0e28c252021-08-02T04:40:29ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182021-08-0136100833The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid TanzaniaE. Zarate0D. Hobley1A.M. MacDonald2R.T. Swift3J. Chambers4J.J. Kashaigili5E. Mutayoba6R.G. Taylor7M.O. Cuthbert8School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; British Geological Survey, Lyell Centre, Research Av South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK; Corresponding author at: School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UKBritish Geological Survey, Lyell Centre, Research Av South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UKBritish Geological Survey, Lyell Centre, Research Av South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK; University of Liege, Urban and Environmental Engineering, 4000 Liege, BelgiumBritish Geological Survey, Lyell Centre, Research Av South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UKSokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3013, Morogoro, TanzaniaWater Institute, Water Resources Department, PO Box 35059, Dsm, TanzaniaDepartment of Geography, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UKSchool of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; The University of New South Wales (UNSW), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, Australia; Water Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UKStudy region: Little Kinyasungwe River Catchment, central semi-arid Tanzania. Study focus: The structure and hydraulic properties of superficial geology can play a crucial role in controlling groundwater recharge in drylands. However, the pathways by which groundwater recharge occurs and their sensitivity to environmental change remain poorly resolved. Geophysical surveys using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) were conducted in the study region and used to delineate shallow subsurface stratigraphy in conjunction with borehole logs. Based on these results, a series of local-scale conceptual hydrogeological models was produced and collated to generate a 3D conceptual model of groundwater recharge to the wellfield. New hydrological insights for the region: We propose that configurations of superficial geology control groundwater recharge in dryland settings as follows: 1) superficial sand deposits act as collectors and stores that slowly feed recharge into zones of active faulting; 2) these fault zones provide permeable pathways enabling greater recharge to occur; 3) ‘windows’ within layers of smectitic clay that underlie ephemeral streams may provide pathways for focused recharge via transmission losses; and 4) overbank flooding during high intensity precipitation events increases the probability of activating such permeable pathways. These conceptual models provide a physical basis to improve numerical models of groundwater recharge in drylands, and a conceptual framework to evaluate strategies (e.g., Managed Aquifer Recharge) to artificially enhance the availability of groundwater resources in these regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581821000628Groundwater rechargeConceptual modelSuperficial geologySemi-aridHydrogeologyFocused recharge |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
E. Zarate D. Hobley A.M. MacDonald R.T. Swift J. Chambers J.J. Kashaigili E. Mutayoba R.G. Taylor M.O. Cuthbert |
spellingShingle |
E. Zarate D. Hobley A.M. MacDonald R.T. Swift J. Chambers J.J. Kashaigili E. Mutayoba R.G. Taylor M.O. Cuthbert The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies Groundwater recharge Conceptual model Superficial geology Semi-arid Hydrogeology Focused recharge |
author_facet |
E. Zarate D. Hobley A.M. MacDonald R.T. Swift J. Chambers J.J. Kashaigili E. Mutayoba R.G. Taylor M.O. Cuthbert |
author_sort |
E. Zarate |
title |
The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania |
title_short |
The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania |
title_full |
The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania |
title_fullStr |
The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania |
title_full_unstemmed |
The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania |
title_sort |
role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid tanzania |
publisher |
Elsevier |
series |
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
issn |
2214-5818 |
publishDate |
2021-08-01 |
description |
Study region: Little Kinyasungwe River Catchment, central semi-arid Tanzania. Study focus: The structure and hydraulic properties of superficial geology can play a crucial role in controlling groundwater recharge in drylands. However, the pathways by which groundwater recharge occurs and their sensitivity to environmental change remain poorly resolved. Geophysical surveys using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) were conducted in the study region and used to delineate shallow subsurface stratigraphy in conjunction with borehole logs. Based on these results, a series of local-scale conceptual hydrogeological models was produced and collated to generate a 3D conceptual model of groundwater recharge to the wellfield. New hydrological insights for the region: We propose that configurations of superficial geology control groundwater recharge in dryland settings as follows: 1) superficial sand deposits act as collectors and stores that slowly feed recharge into zones of active faulting; 2) these fault zones provide permeable pathways enabling greater recharge to occur; 3) ‘windows’ within layers of smectitic clay that underlie ephemeral streams may provide pathways for focused recharge via transmission losses; and 4) overbank flooding during high intensity precipitation events increases the probability of activating such permeable pathways. These conceptual models provide a physical basis to improve numerical models of groundwater recharge in drylands, and a conceptual framework to evaluate strategies (e.g., Managed Aquifer Recharge) to artificially enhance the availability of groundwater resources in these regions. |
topic |
Groundwater recharge Conceptual model Superficial geology Semi-arid Hydrogeology Focused recharge |
url |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581821000628 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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