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Modelling water-table depth in a primary aquifer to identify potential wetland hydrogeomorphic settings on the northern Maputaland Coastal Plain, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Modélisation de la profondeur du niveau piézométrique dans un aquifère primaire afin d’identifier les conditions potentielles hydrogéomorphologiques de zones humides dans la plaine côtière du Nord du Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, Afrique du Sud

Modelización de la profundidad de la capa freática en un acuífero principal para identificar potenciales configuraciones de humedales hidrogeomórficos en el norte de Maputaland Coastal Plain, KwaZulu-Natal, Sudáfrica

模拟一个主要含水层的水位深度来确定南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省Maputaland沿海平原北部潜在湿地水文地貌状况

Modelagem de alturas do nível do lençol freático em um aquífero primário para identificar potencialidades de áreas úmidas através de parâmetros hidrogeomórficos no norte da planície costeira de Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, África do Sul

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Abstract

The primary aquifer on the Maputaland Coastal Plain in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is the principal source of water for rivers, lakes and most of the wetlands in dry periods, and is recharged by these systems in wet periods. Modelling hydrologic conditions that control regional water-table depth can provide insight into the spatial patterns of wetland occurrence and of the persistence of wet conditions that control their character. This project used a groundwater model (MODFLOW) to simulate 10-year water-table fluctuations on the Maputaland Coastal Plain from January 2000 to December 2010, to contrast the conditions between wet and dry years. Remote sensing imagery was used to map “permanent” and “temporary” wetlands in dry and wet years to evaluate the effectiveness of identifying the suitable conditions for their formation using numerical modelling techniques. The results confirm that topography plays an important role on a sub-regional and local level to support wetland formation. The wetlands’ extent and distribution are directly associated with the spatial and temporal variations of the water table in relation to the topographical profile. Groundwater discharge zones in the lowland (1–50 masl) areas support more permanent wetlands with dominantly peat or high organic soil substrates, including swamp forest and most of the permanent open water areas. Most temporary wetlands associated with low-percentage clay occurrence are through-flow low-lying interdune systems characterised by regional fluctuation of the water table, while other temporary wetlands are perched or partially perched. The latter requires a more sophisticated saturated-unsaturated modelling approach.

Résumé

L’aquifère primaire de la plaine côtière Maputaland dans le nord du KwaZulu-Natal, Afrique du Sud, constitue la principale source d’eau pour les rivières, les lacs et pour la plupart des zones humides dans les périodes sèches et est rechargé par ces systèmes dans les périodes humides. La modélisation des conditions hydrologiques qui contrôlent la profondeur du niveau piézométrique au niveau régional peut donner un aperçu du modèle de l’occurrence spatiale des zones humides et de la persistance des conditions humides qui contrôlent leurs caractéristiques. Ce projet a utilisé un modèle hydrogéologique (MODFLOW) pour simuler les fluctuations piézométriques sur une période de 10 ans au niveau de la plaine côtière du Maputaland entre Janvier 2000 et Décembre 2010, afin de prendre en considération des conditions contrastées entre années humides et années sèches. Des images de télédétection ont été utilisées pour cartographier les zones humides “permanentes” and “temporaires” pour les années sèches et humides afin d’évaluer les conditions favorables pour leur formation en utilisant des techniques de modélisation numérique. Les résultats confirment que la topographie joue un rôle important au niveau sous-régional et local pour la formation de zones humides. L’extension et la répartition des zones humides sont directement associées aux variations spatiales et temporelles du niveau piézométrique en relation avec le profil topographique. Les zones de décharge des eaux souterraines dans les zones basses (1–50 m au niveau du niveau de la mer) entretiennent les zones humides les plus permanentes dominées par la tourbe ou des substrats de sols riches en matière organique, y compris les forêts de marécages ainsi que la plupart des zones permanentes d’eau libre. La plupart des zones humides temporaires associées à une présence de faible pourcentage d’argiles sont situées au sein des systèmes d’inter dunes de basse altitude, caractérisés par une fluctuation régionale du niveau piézométrique, tandis que d’autres zones humides temporaires sont perchées ou partiellement perchées. Cette dernière exige une approche de modélisation plus sophistiquée considérant les zones saturées et non saturées.

Resumen

El acuífero principal de la llanura costera de Maputaland en el norte de KwaZulu-Natal, Sudáfrica, es la principal fuente de agua para los ríos, los lagos y la mayoría de los humedales en los períodos secos y se recarga por estos sistemas en los períodos húmedos. La modelización de las condiciones hidrológicas que controlan la profundidad regional de la capa freática puede dar una idea de los patrones espaciales de la ocurrencia de humedales y de la persistencia de las condiciones húmedas que controlan su carácter. Este proyecto utilizó un modelo de aguas subterráneas (MODFLOW) para simular 10 años fluctuaciones del nivel freático en la llanura costera de Maputaland desde enero de 2000 a diciembre de 2010, con el fin de contrastar las condiciones entre años secos y húmedos. Se utilizan las imágenes de percepción remota para mapear los humedales “permanentes” y “temporarios” en años secos y húmedos para evaluar la efectividad para identificar las condiciones adecuadas para su formación mediante técnicas de modelización numérica. Los resultados confirman que la topografía juega un papel importante a nivel sub-regional y local para apoyar la formación de los humedales. La extensión y distribución de los humedales están directamente asociadas con las variaciones espaciales y temporales de la capa freática en relación al perfil topográfico. Las zonas de descarga del agua subterránea en las tierras bajas (1–50 m.s.n.m.) sostienen humedales más permanentes con dominancia de turba o substratos de suelo altamente orgánicos, incluyendo la vegetación pantanosa y muchas de las zonas permanentes de aguas abiertas. La mayoría de los humedales temporarios asociados con los bajos porcentajes de ocurrencia de arcilla son de flujo pasante en los sistemas interdunares de baja elevación, caracterizados por la fluctuación regional de la capa freática, mientras que otros humedales temporarios están colgados o parcialmente colgados. Estos últimos requieren una aproximación de modelización saturada-no saturada más sofisticada.

摘要

南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省北部Maputaland沿海平原的主要含水层是干旱期间河流、湖泊、和大多数湿地的主要水源,而在雨季又受到这些系统的补给。模拟控制区域水位深度的水文条件可以深入了解出现湿地的空间模式及控制湿地特性的湿地持久性。本项目利用地下水模型(MODFLOW)模拟Maputaland沿海平原2000年1月到2010年12月年间10年的水位波动情况,并比较了干旱年份和湿润年份的状况。利用遥感影像绘制干旱年份和湿润年份的“永久”和“临时”湿地,以评估采用数值模拟技术确定这些湿地形成的合适条件的有效性。结果确认,地形对于亚区域和局部水平上的湿地形成发挥着重要作用。湿地的范围和分布与地形剖面水位的时空变化相关连。低地(海拔1-50米)区域的地下水排泄区主要为泥炭或高有机质土壤基质,支撑着更为永久的湿地,包括沼泽林和大部分永久性开放水域。与低百分比粘土相关的大多数临时湿地为直流低洼山丘间系统,特点就是区域性水位波动,而其他临时湿地位于高处或部分位于高处。后者需要更加尖端的饱和-非饱和模拟方法。

Resumo

O aquífero primário na Planície Costeira de Maputaland no norte de KwaZulu-Natal, África do Sul, é a principal fonte de água para rios, lagos e para a maioria das áreas úmidas nos períodos secos, recarregada por estes sistemas nos períodos úmidos. A modelagem das condições hidrológicas que controlam a altura do lençol freático regional, pode fornecer a percepção no padrão espacial de ocorrência de áreas úmidas e da persistência da condição de umidade que controla sua característica. Este projeto usou um modelo de águas subterrâneas (MODFLOW) para simular dez anos da variação do nível do lençol freático na Planície Costeira de Maputaland, de Janeiro de 2000 até Dezembro de 2010, para contrastar as condições entre anos úmidos e secos. Imagens de sensoriamento remoto foram usadas para mapear áreas úmidas “permanentes” e “temporárias” em anos secos e úmidos pra avaliar a eficiência de identificação das condições adequadas para sua formação usando técnicas de modelagem numérica. Os resultados confirmam que a topografia desempenha um importante papel em nível sub-regional e local para suportar a formação de áreas úmidas. A extensão e distribuição das áreas úmidas são diretamente associadas com as variações temporais e espaciais do nível do lençol freático em relação ao perfil topográfico. Zonas de descarga de águas subterrâneas nas áreas de planície (1–50 m.a.n.m.) suportam áreas úmidas mais permanentes com dominância de turfa ou solos com substratos altamente orgânicos, incluindo florestas pantanosas e a maioria das áreas permanentes de mar aberto. A maior parte dos mangues temporários associados com baixa porcentagem de ocorrência de argila são sistemas de fluxo de passagem interdunas de baixa altitude, caracterizados pela flutuação regional no nível do lençol freático, enquanto outras áreas úmidas temporárias são suspensas ou parcialmente suspensas. Este último exige uma abordagem de modelagem saturada e não-saturada mais sofisticada.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Piet-Louis Grundling (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Canada) who assisted in establishing the water level monitoring network and Mr. Siphiwe Mfeka and Mr. Enos Mthembu (field assistants) who helped with the monthly water level readings. The South African Water Research Commission and Agricultural Research Council - Institute for Soil, Climate and Water are thanked for financial support. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Tembe Tribal Authority are also thanked for project support and logistics in the study area. The comments from anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated, as well as the editorial assistance of Dr. Thomas Fyfield.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrological Research Unit, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, KZN, 3886, South Africa

    Bruce E. Kelbe

  2. Agricultural Research Council - Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, Private Bag X79, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0001, South Africa

    Althea T. Grundling

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Althea T. Grundling & Jonathan S. Price

  4. Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa

    Althea T. Grundling

Authors
  1. Bruce E. Kelbe
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  2. Althea T. Grundling
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  3. Jonathan S. Price
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Correspondence to Bruce E. Kelbe.

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Kelbe, B.E., Grundling, A.T. & Price, J.S. Modelling water-table depth in a primary aquifer to identify potential wetland hydrogeomorphic settings on the northern Maputaland Coastal Plain, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Hydrogeol J 24, 249–265 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1350-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1350-2

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