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Review of coastal-area aquifers in Africa

Recensement des aquifères côtiers en Afrique

Revisión de acuíferos de las áreas costeras en África

非洲滨海地区含水层概述

Revisão dos aquíferos de áreas costeiras em África

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Abstract

The coastal aquifer systems of Africa are comprised of various geological formations. These aquifer systems consist of either folded, continental or alluvial deposits. Groundwater resource availability along the coastal areas of Africa is briefly reported and the current state of seawater intrusion has been summarized. A select number of notable examples are given to highlight the effect of saline intrusion on coastal development of cities and regional aquifers. The role of conflict resolution is briefly discussed, as well as management approaches, which include monitoring of contamination and governmental accountability. Regional cooperation is presented as a method of ensuring a sustainable water resource in an area, as well as strengthening social and political alliances.

Résumé

Les systèmes d’aquifères côtiers en Afrique sont constitués de formations géologiques diverses. Ces systèmes aquifères consistent en dépôts plissés soit continentaux soit alluviaux. La disponibilité de ressources en eau souterraine le long des zones côtières d’Afrique est signalée et la situation actuelle des intrusions d’eau de mer a été résumée. Un nombre choisi d’exemples remarquables est fourni afin de mettre en évidence l’influence de l’intrusion saline sur le développement côtier des villes et des aquifères régionaux. Le travail de résolution des conflits est discuté brièvement, de même que les procédures de gestion, qui comprennent le contrôle de la contamination et de la responsabilité gouvernementale. La coopération régionale est présentée comme une méthode pour garantir une ressource en eau durable dans une région, ainsi que pour renforcer les alliances politiques et sociales.

Resumen

Los sistemas de acuíferos costeros de África comprenden varias formaciones geológicas. Estos sistemas acuíferos consisten tanto de depósitos plegados continentales como aluviales. Se expone brevemente la disponibilidad de los recursos de aguas subterráneas a lo largo de las áreas costeras de África y se resumen el estado actual de la intrusión de agua de mar. Se presenta un número seleccionado de ejemplos notables para resaltar el efecto de la intrusión salina en desarrollos costeros de ciudades y acuíferos regionales. Se discute brevemente el rol de la resolución del conflicto, así como los enfoques de manejo, los cuales incluyen el monitoreo de la contaminación y el papel gubernamental. Se presenta la cooperación regional como un método para asegurar la sustentabilidad del recurso de agua en un área, así como también para fortalecer alianzas sociales y políticas.

摘要

非洲滨海含水层系统包含多个地层, 这些含水层系统由褶皱、陆相或冲积相沉积物组成。简述了非洲滨海地区地下水资源的可获性并总结了海水入侵的现状, 挑选了很多显著实例以强调海水入侵对城市滨海发展和区域含水层的影响。初步讨论了矛盾解决和管理方法的意义, 其中管理方法包括污染物的检测和政府的责任。提出以区域合作确保一个地区有可持续水资源的方法, 同时也加强了社会和政治的联盟。

Resumo

Os sistemas aquíferos costeiros de África são constituídos por diversas formações geológicas. Estes sistemas aquíferos consistem em depósitos dobrados, continentais ou aluviais. A disponibilidade dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos ao longo das áreas costeiras de África é brevemente descrita e o actual estado da intrusão salina foi sumarizado. Um número de exemplos notáveis seleccionados é apresentado, de modo a evidenciar o efeito da intrusão salina no desenvolvimento costeiro de cidades e aquíferos regionais. O papel da resolução de conflitos é brevemente abordado, assim como as metodologias de gestão, que incluem a monitorização da contaminação e a responsabilidade governamental. A cooperação regional é apresentada como um método para assegurar a sustentabilidade dos recursos hídricos numa área, assim como para fortalecer as alianças sociais e políticas.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. G. van Tonder for all his helpful discussions. Further thanks go to the University of the Free State for the use of their Geology Department and to the Institute of Groundwater Studies for funding.

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Steyl, G., Dennis, I. Review of coastal-area aquifers in Africa. Hydrogeol J 18, 217–225 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0545-9

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