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Characterising groundwater and surface-water interconnections using hydrogeology, hydrochemistry and stable isotopes in the Ouémé Delta, southern Benin

Caractérisation des relations entre les eaux souterraines et les eaux de surface en utilisant l’hydrogéologie, l’hydrochimie et les isotopes stables dans le delta de l’Ouémé, sud du Bénin

Caracterización de la interrelación entre las aguas subterráneas y superficiales a partir de la hidrogeología, la hidroquímica y los isótopos estables en el delta del Ouémé, en el sur de Benín

使用水文地质学、水文化学和稳定同位素表征Benin南部Ouémé三角洲地区地下水和地表水之间的相互联系

Caracterização das interconexões de águas subterrâneas e superficiais usando hidrogeologia, hidroquímica e isótopos estáveis no Delta de Ouémé, sul do Benin

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Abstract

The Mio-Pliocene aquifer of the coastal sedimentary basin of Benin is the most exploited aquifer for water supply to the urbanised region in the southern part of the country. The population explosion is putting increasing pressure on quantitative and qualitative aspects of the groundwater resources. Preventing groundwater contamination caused by surface waters requires a thorough understanding of surface-water/groundwater interactions, especially the interactions between the Mio-Pliocene aquifer and surface waters. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between groundwater and surface waters along the major rivers (Sô River and Ouémé Stream) and brooks in the Ouémé Delta. Field campaigns identified 75 springs located in the valleys which feed the rivers, and thus maintain their base flow. The piezometric results indicated, through flow direction assessment, that the Mio-Pliocene aquifer feeds Ouémé Stream and Sô River. Chemical analyses of groundwater and surface waters show similar chemical facies, and changes in the chemical composition in groundwater are also observed in the surface waters. Moreover, the isotopic signatures of surface waters are similar to those of the groundwater and springs, which led to the identification of potential groundwater discharge areas. As a result of groundwater discharge into surface waters, the fraction of groundwater in the surface water is more than 66% in the brooks, regardless of the season. In the Ouémé Stream and Sô River, the fraction of groundwater is 0–21% between June and September, while from October to March it is 47–100%.

Résumé

L’aquifère du Mio-Pliocène du bassin sédimentaire côtier de Bénin est l’aquifère le plus exploité pour l’alimentation en eau de la région urbanisée du sud du pays. L’explosion démographique exerce une pression croissante sur les aspects quantitatifs et qualitatifs des ressources en eau souterraine. La prévention de la contamination des eaux souterraines par les eaux de surface nécessite une compréhension approfondie des interactions entre les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines, en particulier les interactions entre l’aquifère du Mio-Pliocène et les eaux de surface. Cette étude a pour objectif d’évaluer les interactions entre les eaux souterraines et les eaux de surface le long des principaux cours d’eau (rivière Sô et fleuve Ouémé) et des ruisseaux du delta de l’Ouémé. Des campagnes de terrain ont permis d’identifier 75 sources situées dans les vallées, alimentant les rivières et permettant ainsi le maintien de leur débit de base. Les données piézométriques indiquent, grâce à l’évaluation de la direction de l’écoulement, que l’aquifère du Mio-Pliocène alimente le fleuve Ouémé et la rivière Sô. Les analyses chimiques des eaux souterraines et de surface montrent un faciès chimique similaire, et les changements de composition chimique des eaux souterraines sont également observées dans les eaux de surface. De plus, les signatures isotopiques des eaux de surface sont similaires à celles des eaux souterraines et des sources, ce qui amène à l’identification d’aires de décharge potentielle des eaux souterraines. En raison de la décharge des eaux souterraines dans les eaux de surface, on estime à 66% la part d’eau souterraine dans les ruisseaux, quelques soit la saison. Dans le fleuve Ouémé et la rivière Sô, la fraction d’eau souterraine est de 0 à 21% entre juin et septembre et de 47–100% d’octobre à mars.

Resumen

El acuífero mioplioceno de la cuenca sedimentaria costera de Benín es el más explotado para el abastecimiento de agua a la región urbanizada del sur del país. La explosión demográfica ejerce una presión creciente sobre los aspectos cuantitativos y cualitativos de los recursos de aguas subterráneas. La prevención de la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas causada por las aguas superficiales requiere un conocimiento detallado de la interacción entre las aguas superficiales y las subterráneas, especialmente la interacción entre el acuífero mioplioceno y las aguas superficiales. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la interacción entre las aguas subterráneas y las aguas superficiales a lo largo de los principales ríos (río Sô y arroyo Ouémé) y arroyos del delta del Ouémé. Las campañas de campo identificaron 75 manantiales situados en los valles, que alimentan los ríos y mantienen así su caudal base. Los resultados piezométricos indicaron, mediante la evaluación de la dirección del flujo, que el acuífero mioplioceno alimenta el arroyo Ouémé y el río Sô. Los análisis químicos de las aguas subterráneas y superficiales muestran facies químicas similares, y los cambios en la composición química de las aguas subterráneas también se observan en las aguas superficiales. Además, las firmas isotópicas de las aguas superficiales son similares a las de las aguas subterráneas y los manantiales, lo que permitió identificar posibles zonas de descarga de aguas subterráneas. Como resultado de la descarga de aguas subterráneas en las aguas superficiales, la fracción de aguas subterráneas en las aguas superficiales es superior al 66% en los arroyos, independientemente de la estación del año. En el arroyo Ouémé y el río Sô, la fracción de agua subterránea es del 0–21% entre junio y septiembre, mientras que de octubre a marzo es del 47–100%.

摘要

Benin沿海沉积盆地的Mio-Pliocene含水层是该国南部城市化地区供水最多的含水层。人口爆炸正在对地下水资源的数量和质量方面施加越来越大的压力。防止地下水受到地表水污染的问题需要深入了解地表水/地下水相互作用，特别是Mio-Pliocene含水层与地表水之间的相互作用。本研究旨在调查Ouémé三角洲主要河流(Sô河和Ouémé溪)和小溪河流与地下水之间的相互作用。野外调查确定了位于河谷中的75个泉眼，这些泉眼提供了河流的水源并维持其基流。压力计结果表明，Mio-Pliocene含水层通过流向评估向Ouémé溪和Sô河供水。地下水和地表水的化学分析显示相似的化学相，地下水的化学组成的变化也在地表水中观察到。此外，地表水的同位素特征与地下水和泉眼的相似，这导致了潜在的地下水排泄区域的识别。由于地下水向地表水的排泄，小溪中地下水的比例在任何季节都超过66%。在Ouémé溪和Sô河中，6月至9月期间地下水的比例为0–21%,而10月至3月期间为47–100%。

Resumo

O aquífero Mio-Pliocénico da bacia sedimentar costeira do Benin é o aquífero mais explorado para o abastecimento de água à região urbanizada da parte sul do país. A explosão populacional está pressionando cada vez mais os aspectos quantitativos e qualitativos dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos. Prevenir a contaminação das águas subterrâneas causada por águas superficiais requer uma compreensão completa das interações águas superficiais/águas subterrâneas, especialmente as interações entre o aquífero Mio-Plioceno e as águas superficiais. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as interações entre as águas subterrâneas e superficiais ao longo dos principais rios (Rio Sô e Ribeira de Ouémé) e riachos no Delta de Ouémé. Campanhas de campo identificaram 75 nascentes localizadas nos vales, que alimentam os rios e assim mantêm sua vazão de base. Os resultados piezométricos indicaram, através da avaliação da direção do fluxo, que o aquífero Mio-Pliocénico alimenta a Ribeira de Ouémé e o Rio Sô. As análises químicas das águas subterrâneas e superficiais mostram fácies químicas semelhantes, e mudanças na composição química das águas subterrâneas também são observadas nas águas superficiais. Além disso, as assinaturas isotópicas das águas superficiais são semelhantes às das águas subterrâneas e nascentes, o que levou à identificação de potenciais áreas de descarga de águas subterrâneas. Como resultado da descarga das águas subterrâneas nas águas superficiais, a fração das águas subterrâneas nas águas superficiais é superior a 66% nos riachos, independentemente da estação. Na Ribeira de Ouémé e no Rio Sô, a fração de água subterrânea é de 0–21% entre junho e setembro, enquanto de outubro a março é de 47–100%.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been carried out in the framework of the Omidelta Project funded by Embassy of the Netherlands. Constructive comments received from the editor and two anonymous reviewers helped to significantly improve the original version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Hydrology, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin (LHA/INE/UAC), 04BP 1178, Cotonou, Bénin

    Bio Guidah Chabi, Abdoukarim Alassane, Kodjo Apelete Raoul Kpegli, Fabrice Messan Amene Lawson, Aoulatou Alassane Zakari, Bénito Didier Koukpohounsi, Ousmane Touré Boukari, Nicaise Yalo, Daouda Mama & Moussa Boukari

  2. International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications (ICMPA - UNESCO Chair), 072 B.P: 50, Cotonou, Bénin

    Bio Guidah Chabi, Aoulatou Alassane Zakari & Bénito Didier Koukpohounsi

  3. IRD, University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, IGE, F-38000, Grenoble, France

    Fabrice Messan Amene Lawson, Jean-Michel Vouillamoz & Nicaise Yalo

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  1. Bio Guidah Chabi
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Guidah Chabi, B., Alassane, A., Kpegli, K.A.R. et al. Characterising groundwater and surface-water interconnections using hydrogeology, hydrochemistry and stable isotopes in the Ouémé Delta, southern Benin. Hydrogeol J 31, 1229–1243 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-023-02645-2

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