6 research outputs found
Mapping groundwater availability and adequacy in the Lower Zambezi River basin
Groundwater plays an important role as a source of water for various
socio-economic uses and environmental requirements in the lower Zambezi basin
in Mozambique. Hence it is important to know its availability and adequacy in
space to inform decision making for sustainable water management practices.
For a derivation of a Groundwater Availability map and a Groundwater Adequacy
map we adapted the DRASTIC methodology in a GIS environment to determine how
different parameters, such as precipitation, topography, soil drainage, land
use and vegetation cover, aquifer characteristics and groundwater quality
affect (i)Â groundwater recharge on a long-term sustainable basis, (ii)Â the
short-term abstraction potential and (iii)Â the long-term adequacy of
groundwater utilization for domestic use. Results showed that groundwater
availability in the Zambezi basin varies mostly from medium to low, with
highest potential along the perennial rivers and in the delta where it plays
a crucial role in environmental preservation. The southern margin of the
Zambezi River shows low groundwater availability and also presents low
adequacy for domestic use due to poor groundwater quality. The results from
this study will be used in determining the most promising future development
pathways and select the most attractive strategic development plans of the
Mozambican government for the Lower Zambezi basin