Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Earth Science) / This research focused on understanding the current hydrogeology of the Sakumo wetland by
developing a conceptual flow model and simulating the groundwater flow system. The purpose of
the model is to assist in understanding the groundwater flow system and quantify the water fluxes
contributing to the wetland water storage. The research adapted quantitative, qualitative and mixed
analysis to characterize the water flow in the basin. This involved the use of numerical modelling
techniques to determine the zones of groundwater discharge to the wetland and zones of wetland
water released for groundwater recharge. Field investigation were carried out to estimate the
hydraulic parameters and sample rainwater, wetland water and groundwater. The Sakumo wetland
aquifer is situated in the quaternary unit consisting of sandy clay and weathered quartzite. The
average annual precipitation in the study area from 1970 to 2016 was estimated at 760 mm/yr.
Groundwater recharge rate was estimated as 5% of the mean annual rainfall which provided inputs
into the numerical groundwater flow model. Evaporation from the wetland and evapotranspiration
from the basin estimated using the Hargreaves and Samani method were 1341 mm/a and 546 mm/a,
respectively. The hydrogeologic conceptual model was developed from the geology, borehole
lithology, groundwater and wetland water levels.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/6328 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Laar, Cynthia |
| Contributors | Xu, Yongxin |
| Publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | University of the Western Cape |
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