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Assessing the vulnerability of aquifer systems in the Volta river basin: a case-study on Afram Plains, Ghana

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Abstract

Groundwater is the main water resource which supplies more than half of the residents of Afram Plains. Recent studies show that the aquifer is subject to deteriorating quality from several anthropogenic activities. The aquifer vulnerability to contamination was assessed using the widely known DRASTIC model. This paper aimed to determine the depth-to-water table, identification of the various soil types, topography, recharge rate, and major lithological units in the area. The degree of vulnerability was identified by an index which is computed by superimposition of all the parameters considered for the model. Based on the vulnerability assessment, it was found that, 20.72% (1044.28 km2), 49.78% (2508.91 km2) and 29.50% (1486.80 km2) of the total area was classified as low, moderate and high, respectively. The final vulnerability index was largely influenced by the depth-to-water table, impact of the vadose zone, net recharge and aquifer media parameters. The model was validated with on-ground nitrate concentrations in groundwater in the study area. The DRASTIC model exhibits highly correlated areas in mapping vulnerable regions. The maps produced in this study could be used as a general guide to vulnerability by planners, groundwater managers and decision-makers on the implementation of measures aimed at the protection of this vulnerable resource.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted within the framework of an MSc. This study was funded by the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kumasi (RWESCK) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi with funding from Ghana Government and the World Bank under the Africa Centre’s of Excellence Project. The views expressed in this paper do not reflect those of the World Bank, Ghana Government and KNUST. Special thanks are given to A. Y. Modoc, Director of Afram Plains Development Organization (APDO), Patrick Nyarko and Issoufou Ouedraogo, for providing a great deal of the data used in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Asante Agyare & Geophrey Kwame Anornu

  2. Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana

    Amos Tiereyangn Kabo-bah

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  1. Asante Agyare
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Correspondence to Asante Agyare.

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Agyare, A., Anornu, G.K. & Kabo-bah, A.T. Assessing the vulnerability of aquifer systems in the Volta river basin: a case-study on Afram Plains, Ghana. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 3, 1141–1159 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-017-0363-3

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