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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
Volume 131 Issue Pages 103432
Keywords Acid mine drainage, Groundwater quality, Mine closure, Spatio-temporal variation, Westrand Basin
Abstract (up) 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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ISSN 1474-7065 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ alexander_impact_2023 Serial 134
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Author Abadi, B.; Sadeghfam, S.; Ehsanitabar, A.; Nadiri, A.A.
Title Investigating socio-economic and hydrological sustainability of ancient Qanat water systems in arid regions of central Iran Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Groundwater for Sustainable Development Abbreviated Journal
Volume 23 Issue Pages 100988
Keywords Ancient irrigation, QWSs, GIS, Indigenous knowledge, Maintenance, Distribution
Abstract (up) The Qanat water systems (QWSs), the ancient water engineering systems in Iran belonging to the very distant past, have harvested groundwater from drainages to convey it toward the surface with no use of energy. The present article highlights the socio-economic aspects of the sustainability of the QWSs and gives a satisfactory explanation of why the QWSs should be restored. In doing so, we subscribe to the view that indigenous and scientific knowledge should be incorporated. The former serves to tackle the restoration of the QWSs, the latter contributes to the distribution of water into the farmlands as efficiently as possible. Measured by (a) resilience, (b) reliability, (c) vulnerability, and (d) sustainability, the GIS technique made clear the performance of the QWSs has, therefore, the worst condition observed in terms of resiliency; the best condition observed concerning the vulnerability. Moreover, the QWSs have intermediate performance in terms of reliability. Finally, the sustainability index (SI) classifies the QWSs into different bands, which provide explicit support to take priority of the selection of the QWSs for restoration. In conclusion, a theoretical framework has been drawn to keep the QWSs sustainable.
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ISSN 2352-801x ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Abadi2023100988 Serial 268
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Author Asare, P.; Atun, F.; Pfeffer, K.
Title Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in spatial planning for urban flood mitigation: The perspective of flood management experts in Accra Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Land Use Policy Abbreviated Journal
Volume 133 Issue Pages 106865
Keywords Naure-Based Solutions, Urban expansion, Urban floods, Urban flood management, Spatial planning, NBS integration
Abstract (up) The rapid rate of urban expansion with its associated physical development in recent years conflicts with the urban ecosystem and the services it provides. In most Sub-Saharan African cities, rapid urban expansion often does not conform to existing spatial plans. Physical developments are sometimes carried out in unauthorized areas, contributing to urban floods. The Sub-Saharan African regions’ flood management strategies mainly focus on engineering solutions but have not been fully functional in mitigating urban floods. There is a scarcity of knowledge on how urban flood-related NBS measures can be part of the spatial development in Sub-Saharan African cities for effective flood management. In order to address this gap, this study employed content and text analysis of policy documents and interviews to understand how current spatial and flood mitigation schemes in Accra, Ghana reflect possible NBS applicability and identify possible approaches to integrating NBS into existing planning schemes to prevent urban floods. The study found that Accra’s spatial plans and flood mitigation schemes reflect a possibility of NBS integration. Additionally, the study unveiled techniques for integrating NBS measures and possible implementation barriers and facilitation in the Ghanaian context, which can be linked to combating the challenges that the Ghanaian spatial planning and flood management authorities face. The research, therefore, contributes to knowledge of how NBS can be integrated into spatial planning systems and flood mitigation schemes in Sub-Saharan African regions.
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ISSN 0264-8377 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Asare2023106865 Serial 236
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Author Hayes-Rich, E.; Levy, J.; Hayes-Rich, N.; Lightfoot, D.; Gauthier, Y.
Title Searching for hidden waters: The effectiveness of remote sensing in assessing the distribution and status of a traditional, earthen irrigation system (khettara) in Morocco Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports Abbreviated Journal
Volume 51 Issue Pages 104175
Keywords Remote sensing, Satellite imagery, , Morocco, Traditional irrigation, Archaeology, Water management
Abstract (up) This paper presents the results of a multi-year, interdisciplinary project that aimed to assess the holistic status of the khettara system in Morocco. The khettara (also known as qanat) is a traditional, earthen water management system. Historically the system was used for settlement in regions without access to reliable surface water. It is both a world and local heritage structure, found in rural and urban regions throughout 46 countries. Recent evaluations of this traditional system have advocated for its preservation and use in arid and semi-arid regions, as modern technologies (pump wells, industrial dams, drip irrigation, etc.) have proven to be unsustainable. This project evaluates remote sensing as a tool for assessing the distribution and status of the khettara in Morocco. The results of this project demonstrate that (1) the khettara system played a large role in the historic settlement of arid and semi-arid regions, and (2) the system continues to be an important part of agriculture and life in many oases across Morocco.
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ISSN 2352-409x ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Hayesrich2023104175 Serial 256
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Author Lima, G.F.C.; Filho, C.A. de C.; Ferreira, V.G.; Lima, J. da S.D.; Marques, E.D.; Minardi, P.S.P.; Dalmázio, I.; Moreira, R.M.
Title Establishing a water baseline for the unconventional gas industry: A multiple environmental isotopes assessment (18O, 2H, 3H, 13C, and 14C) of surface and groundwater in the São Francisco Basin, Brazil Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Applied Geochemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 159 Issue Pages 105818
Keywords Fracking, Groundwater dating, Indaiá river, Isotopes assessment, Shale gas, Unconventional hydrocarbons
Abstract (up) Unconventional hydrocarbon production has become the target of an intensive environmental debate due to the risks it poses to water resources. Fracking, while enabling the extraction of oil and gas from ultra-low permeability reservoirs, also possesses the risk of polluting water systems through failures from hydraulic fracturing and its associated procedures. The need to foster national industrial development with a transitional energy matrix has led Brazil to discuss the environmental suitability before producing its large unconventional reserves. Many studies have highlighted the need for a robust environmental characterization before the development of the unconventional industry. In this sense, multiple environmental isotopes may work as a proxy for identifying water contamination right from the early stages. Environmental isotopes may also be applied to enhance the understanding of the natural geochemical processes intrinsic to a given area. This study presents an environmental isotopes baseline for the groundwater and riverine water systems within the São Francisco Basin, a proven tight gas reservoir in Brazil, in a pre-operational context. δ18O, δ2H, 3H, δ13C, and Δ14C were evaluated in three different seasons in groundwater and surface water samples, along with other auxiliary parameters such as physical-chemical parameters (in situ), major ions, and d-excess. The δ2H and δ18O in surface water shows an upstream → downstream enrichment trend, with some variations suggesting baseflow interactions in the surface water systems. An evaporation line for the study area was defined as δ2H = 4.6903 δ18O + 10.362. δ13C indicates a mutual dissolution of silicates and carbonates in the groundwater system and suggests a group of samples highly related to the recharge areas. Groundwater dating denotes the Serra da Saudade Formation as a modern fractured aquifer with a strong recharge capacity. These findings support stakeholders in environmental monitoring and management of the unconventional gas industry.
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ISSN 0883-2927 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ lima_establishing_2023 Serial 173
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