Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin

The geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves using electrical resistivity methods was conducted in Linthipe 4B sub basin in Central region of Malawi. With the increasing over-utilization of shallow wells in dambos for smallholder irrigation, this study was carried out to investigate w...

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Autores principales:	Sylvester Richard Chikabvumbwa, Davis Sibale, Ramadan Marne, Sylvester William Chisale, Lackson Chisanu
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Elsevier 2021
Materias:	Dambo Linthipe Climate-smart irrigation Drip irrigation Sustainable Groundwater management Science (General) Q1-390 Social sciences (General) H1-99
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/dd53c7342cce47cf9840296160f11add
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:dd53c7342cce47cf9840296160f11add2021-12-02T05:02:46ZGeophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin2405-844010.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08346https://doaj.org/article/dd53c7342cce47cf9840296160f11add2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402102449Xhttps://doaj.org/toc/2405-8440The geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves using electrical resistivity methods was conducted in Linthipe 4B sub basin in Central region of Malawi. With the increasing over-utilization of shallow wells in dambos for smallholder irrigation, this study was carried out to investigate whether dambo groundwater reserves could serve as sustainable irrigation water sources and to examine the aquifer characteristics in Linthipe sub basin. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points were established in the basin using the Schlumberger configuration array. Data was analysed using IPI2win and Surfer software applications. Contrary to other commercial software applications which are costly for government departments when analysing geophysical data, partial curve matching and one dimensional (1-D) computer iteration techniques were used to interpret the VES curves and the pseudo-cross section resistivity profiles due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The study has revealed that the aquifer properties in the basin are exceptionally variable in terms of state of weathering, depth, thickness, lithology, aquifer recharge configuration, geologic material and hydraulic gradients. These variations showed that the shallow wells in the basin have significant fractures suggesting high water potential for climate smart irrigation usage in the study area. The potential groundwater zones for climate smart irrigated farming were detected at VES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 noted by low aquifer resistivity with high values of aquifer thickness. However, VES points, 7, 8 and 9 were likely to be zones of low water bearing potential because they had high values of aquifer resistivity with low aquifer thickness. The findings also validated the effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency of using vertical electrical resistivity technique in exploring groundwater for irrigation. The results from this study have highlighted that feasible shallow well depth for a sustainable irrigation system is a function of geologic resistance and aquifer thickness when the geologic material has low resistance and broader thickness. This study noted that knowledge of aquifer recharge rates in dambos is required in order to effectively control abstraction rates for sustainable irrigation in basins. There is a need to promote the usage of geophysical studies, reforestation, river basin management trainings and aquifer recharge technologies in exploring sites for shallow well development for irrigation. The study further recommends the usage of geographical information systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving the results of groundwater monitoring studies in Malawi.Sylvester Richard ChikabvumbwaDavis SibaleRamadan MarneSylvester William ChisaleLackson ChisanuElsevierarticleDamboLinthipeClimate-smart irrigationDrip irrigationSustainableGroundwater managementScience (General)Q1-390Social sciences (General)H1-99ENHeliyon, Vol 7, Iss 11, Pp e08346- (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Dambo Linthipe Climate-smart irrigation Drip irrigation Sustainable Groundwater management Science (General) Q1-390 Social sciences (General) H1-99
spellingShingle	Dambo Linthipe Climate-smart irrigation Drip irrigation Sustainable Groundwater management Science (General) Q1-390 Social sciences (General) H1-99 Sylvester Richard Chikabvumbwa Davis Sibale Ramadan Marne Sylvester William Chisale Lackson Chisanu Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
description	The geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves using electrical resistivity methods was conducted in Linthipe 4B sub basin in Central region of Malawi. With the increasing over-utilization of shallow wells in dambos for smallholder irrigation, this study was carried out to investigate whether dambo groundwater reserves could serve as sustainable irrigation water sources and to examine the aquifer characteristics in Linthipe sub basin. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points were established in the basin using the Schlumberger configuration array. Data was analysed using IPI2win and Surfer software applications. Contrary to other commercial software applications which are costly for government departments when analysing geophysical data, partial curve matching and one dimensional (1-D) computer iteration techniques were used to interpret the VES curves and the pseudo-cross section resistivity profiles due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The study has revealed that the aquifer properties in the basin are exceptionally variable in terms of state of weathering, depth, thickness, lithology, aquifer recharge configuration, geologic material and hydraulic gradients. These variations showed that the shallow wells in the basin have significant fractures suggesting high water potential for climate smart irrigation usage in the study area. The potential groundwater zones for climate smart irrigated farming were detected at VES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 noted by low aquifer resistivity with high values of aquifer thickness. However, VES points, 7, 8 and 9 were likely to be zones of low water bearing potential because they had high values of aquifer resistivity with low aquifer thickness. The findings also validated the effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency of using vertical electrical resistivity technique in exploring groundwater for irrigation. The results from this study have highlighted that feasible shallow well depth for a sustainable irrigation system is a function of geologic resistance and aquifer thickness when the geologic material has low resistance and broader thickness. This study noted that knowledge of aquifer recharge rates in dambos is required in order to effectively control abstraction rates for sustainable irrigation in basins. There is a need to promote the usage of geophysical studies, reforestation, river basin management trainings and aquifer recharge technologies in exploring sites for shallow well development for irrigation. The study further recommends the usage of geographical information systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving the results of groundwater monitoring studies in Malawi.
format	article
author	Sylvester Richard Chikabvumbwa Davis Sibale Ramadan Marne Sylvester William Chisale Lackson Chisanu
author_facet	Sylvester Richard Chikabvumbwa Davis Sibale Ramadan Marne Sylvester William Chisale Lackson Chisanu
author_sort	Sylvester Richard Chikabvumbwa
title	Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
title_short	Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
title_full	Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
title_fullStr	Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
title_full_unstemmed	Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin
title_sort	geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of linthipe sub-basin
publisher	Elsevier
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/dd53c7342cce47cf9840296160f11add
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Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin

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