Groundwater and climate change in Africa: review of aquifer properties data.

Abstract

The review of aquifer properties data from Africa was conducted as part of this one year DFID-funded research programme, aimed at improving understanding of the impacts of climate change on groundwater resources and local livelihoods. The review was one of a series of components within the project, which was used to strengthen the evidence base between climate change and aquifer resilience.

Data collated within the review were used to attribute an aquifer properties map of Africa. In total, 280 sets of aquifer properties data in Africa have been identified from 145 published and grey literature reports. This report is a progress report for the project partners and steering group to help discussion. The report describes the criteria used to identify and systematically review the studies. An initial analysis of the data is also provided in this report.

The relatively few studies identified by the review reflect the paucity of hydrogeological data within Africa. Quantitative aquifer properties data – transmissivity (T) and storage (S) data – are scarce within Africa, and as a result, this review compiled borehole yield data and qualitative review studies, as well as actual aquifer properties data.

Citation

Bonsor, H. C.; MacDonald, A. M. Groundwater and climate change in Africa: review of aquifer properties data. British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK (2010) 24 pp. [British Geological Survey, Internal Report, IR/10/076]

Groundwater and climate change in Africa: review of aquifer properties data.

Published 1 January 2010