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Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the Upper Limpopo River Basin: a Case Study in Ramotswa Dolomitic Aquifer

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Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the Upper Limpopo River Basin: a Case Study in Ramotswa Dolomitic Aquifer Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the Upper Limpopo River Basin: A Case Study in Ramotswa Dolomitic Aquifer Submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Hydrogeology Submitted by: Simamkele Siyambonga Baqa Student number: 1098513 Supervisors: Dr. Karen Villholth (IWMI) Prof. Tamiru Abiye (Wits) July 2017 in Johannesburg Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the upper Limpopo River Basin: A case study in Ramotswa Dolomitic Aquifer Declaration I Simamkele Siyambonga Baqa declare that Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the upper Limpopo River Basin with a case study in Ramotswa Dolomitic Aquifer is my own investigation and covers no section copied in whole or in part from any source unless it is clearly acknowledged in quotation marks and with detailed, complete and precise referencing. Further, the report has not been submitted before for any degree or examination at any university. …………………………………….. (Signature) ………………… (Date) I Abstract Hydrogeological research was undertaken in the transboundary Ramotswa dolomitic aquifer to provide understanding and quantification of the processes governing recharge mechanism and rates, in order to promote efficient and sustainable groundwater resource utilization and development, as well as to improve the Ramotswa transboundary aquifer management. Hydrochemical and tracer approaches were utilized to evaluate the processes governing the recharge mechanism while the chloride mass balance approach was further applied to assess groundwater recharge rates. Results indicated that all groundwater samples contained detectable amounts of tritium highlighting the renewability of the transboundary Ramotswa aquifer resources. Two distinct water types were characterised: sub-modern waters approximately recharge prior to the 1950s and a mixture of modern and sub-modern waters of recently recharge rainfall indicative of active recharge in the area through intensive rainfall. Correlation between δ18O and δ2H, and soil Cl- indicated that groundwater recharge in the Ramotswa dolomitic aquifer takes place mainly by two flow mechanisms: a displacement of moisture through a diffuse or piston flow through permeable soils and from concentrated runoffs due to surface depressions, and a preferential flow component through fractures that outcrop at surface and riverbed infiltration along the ephemeral Notwane River. Annual groundwater recharge estimates varied from 0.4% MAP to 12% MAP and from 5% MAP to 14% MAP within the northern parts and the southern parts of the study area, respectively. Recharge estimates correlated well with the proposed mechanism of flow both in the southern and in the northern parts of the study area as well as with the previous studies conducted within the greater Ramotswa area. A way forward to ensure the long-term sustainability of the transboundary Ramotswa aquifer resources is recommended, such as to preserve and protect potential recharge areas through carefully controlled land use planning and development, and to equate abstraction rates to average recharge rates, which has to be subjected to the Limpopo Watercourse Commission. II Dedication Specially, I would like to send my devotions as well as to thank my family ooBaqa amaTshatshu noMtambeka amaQwathi for their guidance, encouragement, love and support they have showed to me throughout the journey of my life, and for raising me to be a better person in life. Enkosi. III Acknowledgment Above all, I would like to offer my genuine recognitions to the Lord God for his contemptible love, guidance, protection and mostly for putting all the necessary structures needed for me to prosper all my accomplishments. I thank you Lord. This report is part of the GRECHLIM project: “Understanding Recharge in the Limpopo River basin”, which is mainly funded by the United States Agency for International Development for Southern Africa (USAID) and the Department of Science and Technology, RSA. On-site project implementations were enabled by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC) and XRI Blue. For this reason, I would like to thank the GRECHLIM/PEER project for the financial support. This report was made possible through determined hard-work, patience, and guidance from my supervisors; Dr. Karen Villholth and Professor Tamiru Abiye, who presented me with an ideal opportunity to engage myself in one of the strategic studies in (ground) water resource evaluation and whom remained relentlessly prepared to share their views and expertise to see the completion of this report, I thank you. Secondly, I would like to stretch my acknowledgment and to request to record my sincere appreciations to the following: International Water Management Institute (IWMI; Southern Africa) and its operative’s which includes; Yvan Altchenko, Manuel Magombeyi, Karen Villholth and Silas, who played a vital role during the research particularly on data collection and analysis. Dr. Manuel Magombeyi for his support, encouragements and assistance in during fieldwork data collection and also for reviewing and criticizing the report on a page to page. IV Professor Tamiru Abiye for the stable isotope analyses at Wits Hydrogeology labs and for his constructive comments, guidance on the interpretation of the isotopes and on the completion of this report. University of the Witwatersrand: School of Geosciences and Wits NRF for the financial support towards completion of my studies. University of Botswana; Dr. P. Kenabatho, Prof. R.T. Ranganai and B. Mpeo who played a vital role in enhancing both primary and secondary data collection in Botswana. Department of Water and Sanitation (South Africa) for issuing and permitting the use of groundwater archives and for the chemical analysis conducted at RQIS. Department of Water Affairs, Department of Geological Survey and Water Utilities Cooperation (Botswana) for assisting on both primary and secondary data collection and also chemical analysis. South African Weather Service and the Department of Meteorological Services (Botswana) for issuing and permitting the use of their archives. iThemba labs: M.J. Butler, O.H.T. Malinga and M. Mabitsela; For Tritium analysis of water samples from the Ramotswa Transboundary Aquifer Area Wits School of Geosciences; academics, staff and MSc Hydrogeology class of 2016 for their support and encouragements throughout the year. CGIAR and XRI Blue for RTBAA archives and for geophysical data interpretation respectively. Additionally, I would like to thank every individual or an organisation that may be intentionally or unintentionally included or excluded from the above acknowledgements, which have directly or indirectly contributed to the completion of this report. I Thank You. V Table of Contents DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................... I ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... II DEDICATION....................................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGMENT ........................................................................................................ IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... VI LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ VIII LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. X ACRONYMS AND NOTATIONS.......................................................................................... XI ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. XIII CHAPTER 1 ......................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. General Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Background ............................................................................................................................................ 3 1.3. Hypothesis .............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4. Research Questions ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.5. Aim and Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 6 1.6. The structure of the thesis ...................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2 ......................................................................................................................... 8 LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................................................
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