Resolving patterns of groundwater flow by inverse hydrochemical modelling in a semiarid Kalahari basin

Christoph Kuells, Eilon M. Adar, Peter Udluft

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

    24 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    An inverse hydrochemical mixing cell modelling approach has been used for the assessment of water resources in the Otjozondjupa region at the western fringe of the Kalahari basin, Namibia. The analysis is based on hydrochemical data from 1530 wells in the Omatako basin. Cluster analysis applied to a hydrochemical database was used to define, subdivide and stratify aquifer units where poorly defined aquifer boundaries prohibited a straight-forward stratigraphic approach. Based on the hydrochemical definition of aquifer units a quantitative inverse hydrochemical model was formulated. As a result inter-aquifer flows were quantified within a mass balance tolerance of 5% for the entire aquifer system. Significant recharge by floodwater infiltration into sinkholes in the Otavi foreland could be identified and quantified.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)447-451
    Number of pages5
    JournalIAHS-AISH Publication
    Issue number262
    StatePublished - 1 Jan 2000
    EventTraM'2000: The International Conference on 'Tracers and Modelling in Hydrology' - Liege, Belgium
    Duration: 23 May 200026 May 2000

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Oceanography
    • Water Science and Technology

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