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Author Rooyen, J.D. van; Watson, A.W.; Miller, J.A. url  openurl
  Title Using tritium and radiocarbon activities to constrain regional modern and fossil groundwater mixing in Southern Africa Type Journal Article
  Year 2022 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 614 Issue Pages 128570  
  Keywords Radiocarbon, Residence time, SADC, Tritium  
  Abstract This study combines historical records of 14C and 3H in the atmosphere and soil with renewal rate and groundwater lumped parameter models to predict the abundance of 14C and 3H in groundwater over time. 624 groundwater samples from numerous studies, over four decades (1978–2019), in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique were collated to compare with predicted groundwater activities of 14C and 3H within the South African Development Community (SADC) region. Spatial datasets of carbonate bearing lithology, C3/C4 vegetation, summer/winter rainfall and coastal proximity were used to apply corrections to 14C and 3H data. Corrected values of 14C and 3H were compared with the theoretical abundance of these tracers, derived from the lumped parameter models, to estimate the general mean residence times and presence of groundwater mixing between modern recharge and older groundwaters. This study found that corrected values produced varying mean residence times derived from 14C ages (∼500–28500 years) and a wide range of potentially mixed waters within each aquifer system (0–100 % of tested wells) across the study area. The largest proportions of mixed groundwater, as well as the youngest mean residence times, were found in alluvial and primary fractured rock aquifers (e.g., western coast of South Africa and southern Mozambique). The smallest proportions of mixed groundwater were predicted in deep confined clay-rich aquifers as well as layered coal bearing carbonate sequences (e.g., Orapa, Malwewe and Serowe, Botswana). Insights into the proportions of mixed groundwater and mean residence times can help assess hydrological resilience on a regional scale. Such information is pertinent in promoting socio-economic development and increased water/food security in the SADC region. By understanding the resilience of groundwater resources, robust and informed strategies for water equality and GDP growth in the SADC region can be envisioned and implemented.  
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  ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference (up)  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ rooyen_using_2022 Serial 94  
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Author Heaton, T.H.E.; Talma, A.S.; Vogel, J.C. url  openurl
  Title Origin and history of nitrate in confined groundwater in the western Kalahari Type Journal Article
  Year 1983 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 243-262  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Data are presented for nitrate, dinitrogen and argon concentrations and 15N14N ratios in groundwater, with radiocarbon ages up to 40,000 yr. for three confined sandstone aquifers in the western Kalahari of South West Africa/Namibia. The nitrate is probably generated within the soil of the recharge areas, and its production rate during the period 3000-40,000 B.P. has remained between 0.5 and 1.6 meq NO−3l−1 of recharge water, with ° 15N between + 4 and + 8‰. Variations in the amount of nitrate and of “excess air” in groundwater recharge are found, and can only reflect changes in the environmental conditions during recharge. They must therefore be caused by the climatic changes that have taken place during the past 25,000 yr.  
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  ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference (up)  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ heaton_origin_1983 Serial 95  
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Author Gasse, F. url  openurl
  Title Hydrological changes in the African tropics since the Last Glacial Maximum Type Journal Article
  Year 2000 Publication Quaternary Science Reviews Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 189-211  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Paleohydrological data from the African tropics and subtropics, including lake, groundwater and speleothem records, are reviewed to show how environments and climates from both hemispheres are inter-related. Although orbitally induced changes in the monsoon strength account for a large part of long-term climatic changes in tropical Africa, the Late Pleistocene–Holocene hydrological fluctuations rather appear to have been a series of abrupt events that reflect complex interactions between orbital forcing, atmosphere, ocean and land surface conditions. During the Last Glacial Maximum (23–18ka BP), most records indicate that generally dry conditions have prevailed in both hemispheres, associated with lower tropical land- and sea-surface temperatures. This agrees with simulations using coupled ocean–atmosphere models, which predict cooling and reduced summer precipitation in tropical Africa; the global hydrological cycle was weaker than today when the extent of large polar ice-sheets and sea-ice was a prominent forcing factor of the Earth’s climate. Glacial-interglacial climatic changes started early: a first wetting/warming phase at ca. 17–16ka BP took place during a period of rapid temperature increase in Antarctica. Next, two drastic arid-humid transitions in equatorial and northern Africa occurred around 15–14.5ka BP and 11.5–11ka BP. Both are thought to match the major Greenland warming events, in concert with the switching of the oceanic thermohaline circulation to modern mode. However, part of the climatic signal after 15 ka BP also seems related to the Antarctica climate. During the Holocene, Africa has also experienced rapid hydrological fluctuations of dramatic magnitude compared to the climatic changes at high latitudes. In particular, major dry spells occurred around 8.4–8ka and 4.2–4ka BP in the northern monsoon domain. Comparison with other parts of the world indicates that these events have a worldwide distribution but different regional expressions. In the absence of large polar ice sheets, changes in the continental hydrological cycles in the tropics may have a significant impact on the global climate system. Climate information gathered here allows to identify geographical and methodological gaps, and raise some scientific questions that remain to be solved to better understand how the tropics respond to changes in major climate-forcing factors, and how they influence climate globally.  
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  ISSN 0277-3791 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ gasse_hydrological_2000 Serial 96  
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Author Brook, G.A.; Marais, E.; Srivastava, P.; Jordan, T. url  openurl
  Title Timing of lake-level changes in Etosha Pan, Namibia, since the middle Holocene from OSL ages of relict shorelines in the Okondeka region Type Journal Article
  Year 2007 Publication Quaternary International Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 175 Issue 1 Pages 29-40  
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  Abstract In 2003 examination of aerial photographs revealed a series of previously unknown relict shorelines on the arcuate ridge, possibly a clay lunette dune, that marks the western boundary of Etosha Pan in Namibia. The shorelines are 120–600m wide and the most prominent extend for tens of km around the lunette dune. The shorelines were examined on the ground in 2004 and an attempt was made to date the three lowest levels at ca. 5, 2.5 and 1m above the present pan surface. The OSL ages obtained indicate higher and more prolonged lake conditions than today at ca. 6.4, 4.0 and 2.1ka with the youngest shoreline sediments resting on an ancient pan surface dating to ca. 13ka. The evidence indicates dry conditions in the pan at ca. 13ka, wetter conditions and higher lake levels in the middle Holocene followed by a decline in lake levels to the present. Periods of inundation were of sufficient duration to produce shorelines at the southwestern end of the pan due to the prevailing northeasterly winds that would have maximized wave action along this section of the pan margin. The Etosha findings, together with other regional paleoclimate data, suggest four periods of increased wetness in SW Africa during the Holocene at 7–5, 4.5–3.5, 2.5–1.7 and ca. 1.0ka. There is widespread evidence for the oldest of these periods suggesting that it was a prominent and widespread interval of wetness. Prior to ca. 8.0ka the climate may have been drier than today.  
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  ISSN 1040-6182 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ brook_timing_2007 Serial 97  
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Author Stone, A.E.C.; Thomas, D.S.G. url  openurl
  Title Casting new light on late Quaternary environmental and palaeohydrological change in the Namib Desert: A review of the application of optically stimulated luminescence in the region Type Journal Article
  Year 2013 Publication Journal of Arid Environments Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 93 Issue Pages 40-58  
  Keywords Namib Desert, Optically stimulated luminescence dating, Palaeoenvironment, Palaeohydrology, Quaternary, Southern Africa  
  Abstract The application of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating in the Namib Desert is casting new light on late Quaternary environments. OSL has been applied to: (i) complex linear dunes, alongside ground penetrating radar stratigraphy in order to establish dune migration rates, (ii) fluvial lithofacies associations that distinguish between flood deposits and river end points, in order to constrain the timing of periods of higher discharge and conditions relatively drier than present and (iii) aeolian sand interbedded with carbonate deposits in order to provide chronologies for water-lain interdune sediments. We present and review the contribution of these data to enhancing reconstructions of the palaeoenvironments and palaeohydrology of the west coast of Namibia, particularly the increased confidence in interpretations provided by lithofacies analysis of the river deposits. This includes major silt deposits, which have had a contested palaeohydrological interpretation, such as the Kuiseb River Homeb Silts. We conclude that OSL should remain a key chronological technique to further elucidate the palaeoenvironmental history of southern Africa.  
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  ISSN 0140-1963 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference (up)  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ stone_casting_2013 Serial 98  
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