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Numerical simulation and evaluation of groundwater resources in a fractured chalk aquifer: a case study in Zinder well field, Niger

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Abstract

Groundwater is often a unique water source for agriculture, industry and domestic use for local inhabitants in semi-arid African continent owing to shortage of surface water and rainfall. It is of significance to quantify and assess the groundwater resources for local sustainable development in order to correctly evaluate groundwater resources of Zinder well field with fractured media in Zinder, Niger. A conceptual model of hydrogeology was set up by a geological and hydrogeological survey. For simulating the real conditions, a large multi-well pumping test with designed pumping rate was conducted. In addition, a two-dimensional finite-element transient flow model was developed to simulate groundwater flow at the site. Results show that generally good agreements have been found between the simulated and observed hydrogeology heads for the test. The hydraulic parameters were obtained from the pumping test. A 11-year prediction of groundwater resources has been made under three exploitation schemes, respectively, and it indicates that the well field can offer 7,000 m3/day when the aquifer remains confined. An optimal scheme of exploitation is provided.

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Acknowledgments

The research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41272251; 41372245); Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (No. NCET-06-0541).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, People’s Republic of China

    Jiazhong Qian, Xiaoping Zhou & Lei Ma

  2. Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3115, USA

    Hongbin Zhan

  3. Jiangsu Province Hydrogeology and Marine Geological Exploration, Huaian, 223005, People’s Republic of China

    Hongxin Dong

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  1. Jiazhong Qian
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  2. Xiaoping Zhou
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  3. Hongbin Zhan
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  4. Hongxin Dong
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  5. Lei Ma
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Correspondence to Jiazhong Qian.

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Qian, J., Zhou, X., Zhan, H. et al. Numerical simulation and evaluation of groundwater resources in a fractured chalk aquifer: a case study in Zinder well field, Niger. Environ Earth Sci 72, 3053–3065 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3211-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3211-z

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