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A time series approach to hydrochemistry and water quality of the perched aquifers in the Cuvelai-Etosha basin (Bachelor Honors thesis)

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Title
Title A time series approach to hydrochemistry and water quality of the perched aquifers in the Cuvelai-Etosha basin (Bachelor Honors thesis) ?
Author Petra P Haslund ?
Abstract The Cuvelai Etosha Basin is one of the densest populated areas in Namibia, a semi-arid sub- Sahara African country. It is however also host to the least developed rural areas where people still rely on the traditional hand dug wells that tap perched aquifers of the basin. There is generally a lack of safe drinking water and sanitation in areas such as this and hence makes it prune to water borne diseases such as Cholera. This study focuses on a) determination of hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater, b) determination of the water quality and the production of a time series analysis of the substances of concern and c) production of spatial and temporal variation maps of the substances of concern. The study aims to increase the knowledge on the nature of groundwater quality of perched aquifers in the CEB, especially those in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions. Groundwater samples from hand dug wells in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions were collected and analyzed for physio- chemical parameters. Sampling was carried out at four different times of the year i.e. in February and March 2015 (wet season) and June and August 2015 (dry season). In addition to the primary data collected for the project secondary data, 2014, available from the SASSCAL project was used Hand dug wells samples in the Omusati Region are predominantly of the Ca-SO₄-HCO₃ type in which strong acids (SO4 + Cl) exceed week acids (CO3 + HCO3) while those of the Ohangwena region are Ca-HCO₃ water type for deep wells and Na-HCO₃ water type for shallow wells. The physiochemical parameters exceeding the Namibia Water quality standards for the Omusati region have been identified as SO₄, Cl, F, Mg, EC and TDS while the TDS, EC, turbidity, nitrate and iron were identified for Ohangwena region. Shallow wells yield water of very poor quality than deeper wells. The Ohangwena region wells had more fresh water while the Omusati region wells have brackish water. There is a general increase of the substances of concern during the dry season. Hence the water quality is not the same throughout the perched aquifer of the CEB. ?
Dataset
Document Reference Date Type publication ?
Date 2015-12-01 ?
Language English ?
Online Linkage ?
Associated project SASSCAL (Phase 1) ?
Subproject 007 Improving knowledge and understanding of groundwater flow, water quality and quantity variations, improve methodology of groundwater availability study: Cuvelai – Kunene ?
Dataset Classification
Type PDF ?
Category thesis ?
Geographic Location
Study site Cuvelai Etosha ?
Geographic Description Namibia ?
Metadata
Metadata Contact Person Wanke, Heike, Dr ?
Metadata Date Stamp 2018-07-19 ?
Identifier
Internal identifier sdp_doc_documents_6423 (Link)