Records |
Author |
Uugulu, S.; Wanke, H. |
Title |
Estimation of groundwater recharge in savannah aquifers along a precipitation gradient using chloride mass balance method and environmental isotopes, Namibia |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
116 |
Issue |
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Pages |
102844 |
Keywords |
Chloride mass balance, Groundwater recharge, Isotopic values, Precipitation gradient |
Abstract |
The quantification of groundwater resources is essential especially in water scarce countries like Namibia. The chloride mass balance (CMB) method and isotopic composition were used in determining groundwater recharge along a precipitation gradient at three sites, namely: Tsumeb (600 mm/a precipitation); Waterberg (450 mm/a precipitation) and Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer (240 mm/a precipitation). Groundwater and rainwater were collected from year 2016–2017. Rainwater was collected monthly while groundwater was collected before, during and after rainy seasons. Rainwater isotopic values for δ18O and δ2H range from −10.70 to 6.10‰ and from −72.7 to 42.1‰ respectively. Groundwater isotopic values for δ18O range from −9.84 to −5.35‰ for Tsumeb; from −10.85 to −8.60‰ for Waterberg and from −8.24 to −1.56‰ for Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer, while that for δ2H range from −65.6 to −46.7‰ for Tsumeb; −69.4 to −61.2‰ for Waterberg and −54.2 to −22.7‰ for Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer. Rainwater scatters along the GMWL. Rainwater collected in January, February and March are more depleted in heavy isotopes than those in November, December, April and May. Waterberg groundwater plots on the GMWL which indicates absence of evaporation. Tsumeb groundwater plots on/close to the GMWL with an exception of groundwater from the karst Lake Otjikoto which is showing evaporation. Groundwater from Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer shows an evaporation effect, probably evaporation occurs during infiltration since it is observed in all sampling seasons. All groundwater from three sites plot in the same area with rainwater depleted in stable isotopic values, which could indicates that recharge only take place during January, February and March. CMB method revealed that Waterberg has the highest recharge rate ranging between 39.1 mm/a and 51.1 mm/a (8.7% – 11.4% of annual precipitation), Tsumeb with rates ranging from 21.1 mm/a to 48.5 mm/a (3.5% – 8.1% of annual precipitation), and lastly Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer from 3.2 mm/a to 17.5 mm/a (1.4% – 7.3% of annual precipitation). High recharge rates in Waterberg could be related to fast infiltration and absence of evaporation as indicated by the isotopic ratios. Differences in recharge rates cannot only be attributed to the precipitation gradient but also to the evaporation rates and the presence of preferential flow paths. Recharge rates estimated for these three sites can be used in managing the savannah aquifers especially at Kuzikus/Ebenhaezer where evaporation effect is observed that one can consider rain harvesting. |
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1474-7065 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ uugulu_estimation_2020 |
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99 |
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Author |
Alexander, A.C.; Ndambuki, J.M. |
Title |
Impact of mine closure on groundwater resource: Experience from Westrand Basin-South Africa |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2023 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
131 |
Issue |
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Pages |
103432 |
Keywords |
Acid mine drainage, Groundwater quality, Mine closure, Spatio-temporal variation, Westrand Basin |
Abstract |
The mining sector is at the edge of expanding to cater for natural resources that are much needed for technological development and manufacturing. Mushrooming of mines will consequently increase the number of mines closure. Moreover, mines closure have adverse impact on the environment at large and specifically on water resources. This study analyses historical groundwater quality parameters in mine intensive basin of Westrand Basin (WRB) to understand the status of groundwater quality in relation to mining activities and mine closure. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the spatio-temporal variation of groundwater quality in the basin and groundwater quality index (GQI) to evaluate its status. The coefficient of variation (CV) was applied to understand the stability of groundwater quality after the mine closure. Results indicated unstable and altered trend with increasing levels of acidity and salts concentration around the mines vicinity following the mine closure. The resultant maps indicated a significant deterioration of groundwater quality around the WRB with concentrations decreasing downstream. Obtained average GQI for the study period of 1996–2015 suggested a moderate groundwater quality at a range of GQI = 64–73. The CV indicated varying water quality at CV \textgreater 30% suggesting presence of source of contamination. Observed groundwater quality trends in Westrand basin suggested that mines closure present potential threat on groundwater quality and thus, a need for a robust mine closure plan and implementation. |
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1474-7065 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ alexander_impact_2023 |
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134 |
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Author |
Mathuthu, M.; Uushona, V.; Indongo, V. |
Title |
Radiological safety of groundwater around a uranium mine in Namibia |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
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122 |
Issue |
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Pages |
102915 |
Keywords |
Groundwater, ICP-MS, Radiological hazard, Uranium mining |
Abstract |
Uranium mining activities produce the main element used in nuclear energy production. However, it can also negatively affect the environment including groundwater by release of residues or effluent containing radioactive elements. The study investigated the concentration and radiological hazard of uranium in groundwater and seepage water from the tailings of a uranium mine in Namibia. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess the concentration of uranium in the groundwater and seepage water and the radiological hazards were determined. The radiological hazard indices Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), Absorbed dose (D), Annual Effective Dose equivalent (AEDE), External hazard index (Hex) and Internal hazard index (Hin) were determined and compared to limits recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The calculated average value of D and Hin of groundwater is 108.11nGyh−1 and 1.26, respectively and are above the UNSCEAR values (55 nGyh−1 and 1). Further, the average values of Raeq, AEDE and Hex were below the recommended values. The isotopic ratio of uranium radionuclides in groundwater indicates that the uranium in the sampled groundwater is below 1 suggesting it is not natural uranium present but a possible contamination from the mine seepage. The radiological hazard parameters of the seepage water were above the recommended values and thus pose a radiation risk to human and environment. |
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1474-7065 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ mathuthu_radiological_2021 |
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160 |
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Schwiede, M.; Duijnisveld, W.H.M.; Böttcher, J. |
Title |
Investigation of processes leading to nitrate enrichment in soils in the Kalahari Region, Botswana |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
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30 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
712-716 |
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Nitrate, Arenosol soils, Semi-arid, Kalahari, Cattle, Chloride, Travel time |
Abstract |
In Southern Africa elevated nitrate concentrations are observed in mostly uninhabited semi-arid areas. In the Kalahari of Botswana groundwater locally exhibits concentrations up to 600mg/l. It is assumed, that nitrate found in the groundwater originates mainly from nitrogen input and transformations in the soils. Our investigations in the Kalahari between Serowe and Orapa show that cattle raising is an important source for enhanced nitrate concentrations in the soils (Arenosols). But also in termite mounds very high nitrate stocks were found, and under natural vegetation (acacia trees and shrubs) nitrate concentrations were mostly unexpectedly high. This nitrate enrichment in the soils poses a serious threat to the groundwater quality. However, calculated soil water age distributions in the unsaturated zone clearly show that today’s nitrate pollution of the groundwater below the investigation area could originate from natural sources, but cannot be caused by the current land use for cattle raising. |
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Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the Millennium Development Goals: Managing Water for Peace and Prosperity |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ Schwiede2005712 |
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276 |
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Hamutoko, J.; Mapani, B.; Ellmies, R.; Bittner, A.; Külls, C. |
Title |
A fingerprinting method for the identification of uranium sources in alluvial aquifers: An example from the Khan and Swakop Rivers, Namibia |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
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72 |
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34-42 |
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Pergamon |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ Hamutoko2014fingerprinting |
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19 |
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