Groundwater Recharge Planning Using Field Survey for Talupula Mandal in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Groundwater is essential to the sustainability of India’s environment, economy, and living conditions because it isn’t just the primary source of domestic supply of water in rural areas, but it is also the major and most productive origin of the water. The increased demand for groundwater as a result of reduced rainfall has put a strain on groundwater resources in areas where groundwater is the primary supply of water. The main aim of this study is to identify and explore the groundwater potential zones in Talupula Mandal of 280.3 km2 in Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh, India with semi-arid climatic conditions. Based on the field survey approach, groundwater availability is found out in the villages. Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) survey technique was used to discover the resistivity and thickness of the unmistakable layers. It was carried out in 18 randomly selected sites where groundwater plays an important role in agricultural and domestic use. The thickness and resistivity of first- and second-layer crack sites of the various layers were separated from ground data using IPI2WIN programming. Using software, graphs were plotted and groundwater potential zones were identified for recharging the groundwater. Based on the results, different models of recharge structures for the study area are identified and recommended. Hence the management of groundwater paves the way for sustainable groundwater levels.

Appraisal of the Quality Parameters of the Groundwater used for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in the Hard Rock Aquifer System of the Vasishta sub- basin of the Vellar River, Tamil Nadu

This article presents an appraisal of the quality of groundwater in the hard Received in revised form: 15.07.2021 rock aquifer system of the Vasishta sub basin, of the Vellar River Basin. Seventy nine representative groundwater samples were collected from dug and bore wells which are intensively used for domestic and irrigational purposes. The physical parameters viz. PH, EC and TDS were estimated in the field using a portable multiparameter meter. The groundwater samples were transported to the laboratory for measuring major ionic concentrations viz, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3, HCO3, Cl, SO4, F and NO3. The hydrochemical data were graphically projected and spatial temporal thematic maps generated with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian (BIS) Standards. The peoples living in the sub basin engage in agricultural activities where the groundwater availability is sufficient. The groundwater is a major source for meeting their basic needs, such as for domestic, irrigational and industrial purposes. Good correlation is exhibited between EC and TDS Cl, SO4.Cl exhibits good correlation with Mg and Ca (0.817), (0.751) indicating leaching of secondary salts. TDS and EC showed strong correlation with Cl, SO4. Clustering groundwater samples based on their similarity is known as Q-mode type clustering method. Spatial and temporal maps of the water quality index reveal that the majority of the groundwater samples fall under the categories excellent to good.

Climate Change-Induced Drought Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Semi-Arid Pastoral and Agricultural Watersheds

Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of South Asia. A sample survey of farmers (n = 400) from South Asia was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about drought impacts on their socio-economic status, agro-biodiversity, and adaptation besides public institutions’ drought mitigation measures. The results revealed reduced surface and groundwater availability, soil degradation, partial or complete crop failure, increased agricultural fallows and wastelands, biodiversity loss, decrease in agricultural yields, pasture lands, and livestock in drought-impacted South Asia. About 16–26% of the farmers perceived a reduction in the agricultural area and production of commercial crops and millets in drought-prone areas, while changes in the cropping of pulses, oilseeds, horticultural, and fodder crops were minimal. About 57–92% of respondents showed a reduction in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and fish. Unemployment, migration, reduced farm income, and malnutrition were major socio-economic impacts among respondents (38–46%). Despite sufficient public support as a mitigation strategy, the farmers had poor participation (8–65%) for agri-information and adaptation (7–36%) against drought impacts. Hence, researchers, extension agents, and policymakers must develop efficient ‘participatory-mode’ drought adaptation and mitigation policies in watershed-based semi-arid pastoral and agricultural regions of South Asia and similar agro-ecologies across the globe.

INTEGRATED GEOPHYSICAL MAPPING OF GROUNDWATER AQUIFER FOR SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT IN IPERINDO AND ITS ENVIRONS, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Assessment of groundwater potential of Iperindo area, Southwestern Nigeria was conducted by mapping spatial distribution of groundwater availability within the area and consequently locating areas of groundwater reserve to serve the community and its environs. This was achieved by integrating geophysical techniques involving landsat ETM-7 satellite data, aeromagnetic data, VLF-EM and electrical resistivity methods to delineate subsurface structures, understand the direction of groundwater flow, and detect the depth to groundwater aquifer. The result of landsat and aeromagnetic revealed some lineament intersection approximately NE-SW direction and interpreted to be potential sites for groundwater development. VLF-EM revealed geologic structures of significant hydrogeological importance at depths of 40 m to 200 m. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) confirmed high groundwater prospect in the areas with estimated depth to water table between 30 m and 100 m. The integrated results of the study revealed adequate groundwater spatial distribution for effective groundwater development in the area.

Determination Of Groundwater Recharge Area In Raimanuk And Surroundings, Timor Island

The Raimanuk area in Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, is located in the Aroki Groundwater Basin. The decreasing quality and potential groundwater availability in the Aroki Groundwater Basin is feared due to its widespread use for household needs and agriculture. The lack of the groundwater recharge area map will pose an obstacle in policymaking regarding the management and preparation of spatial conservation areas in the Raimanuk Region. This study aims to determine the zone and classification of groundwater recharge areas in the Raimanuk area based on spatial data analysis. The groundwater recharge area can be determined using slope, river flow patterns, spring emergence, and groundwater table depth. The classification of the recharge area uses a scoring approach with an overlapping analysis of the parameter assessments, which are hydraulic conductivity, precipitation, soil cover, slope, and depth of unconfined groundwater. The result of the study is the groundwater recharge area map of Raimanuk. The groundwater recharge area is located in the Mandeu Hill area, which is the main recharge area. The groundwater discharge area is located in the Aroki plain area that can be the main recharge area.

Sustainable Water Flows in Era of Climate Change

The flow of water in rivers is of paramount importance to maintain supply of food and energy requirements to a great extent. The minimum flow in perennial rivers is subjected to groundwater availability, it is further replenished by the water added through precipitation. Climate change not only increases the melting of glaciers and sea level rise, but also influences the surface water flow and quality. As agriculture is directly affected by changing precipitation pattern, the reduction in water resources and untimely addition of water, both act havoc to the food production process. This interconnection makes agriculture even more vulnerable to the scenarios of global warming and climate change. Studies on food-energy-water nexus has opened new avenues of research in sustainable water management. The role of sustainable flow of water in rivers is highlighted which needs to be understood in era of climate change.

Effect of irrigation methods and testing some rice cultivars against growth, root development and yield on rainfed Ultisols of Aceh Besar

The main obstacle in rice cultivation on dryland is the limitation of water availability and large fluctuation of groundwater availability. It causes plant metabolic processes to be hampered. The threat of such natural conditions can be overcomed by intensifying and using superior cultivars to adapt widely to the environment, such as being resistant to drought. This study aims to determine the effect of irrigation methods and the response of several different cultivars to growth, yield potential, and rice root systems. This research using a Split Plot Design pattern. The factors examined in this study were irrigation methods, which consisted of 3 levels of treatment, namely continuous irrigation (P1), intermittent irrigation (P2), and sprinkler irrigation (P3). Variety factors consisted of 4 levels, namely: Batutegi (V1), Situ Patenggang (V2), Inpago 5 (V3), and Sanbei (V4), so there were 12 treatment combinations with three repetitions of 36 treatment plot units. The results showed that the continuous and intermittent irrigation methods gave the highest yield per hectare and had the same weight, while the sprinkler gave the lowest yield per hectare, although not significantly different from other irrigation methods. The cultivar that gave the highest yield per hectare was Sanbei, while the lowest was Situ Patenggang, and the cultivar that gave the highest 1000 grain weight was Inpago-5, while the lowest was Sanbei, although it was not significantly different from other cultivars.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Vulnerability among Rural Areas and Small Towns in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Climate Change, Marginalization, and Inequality

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)—including drainage-services—is essential for public health and socio-economic development, but access remains inadequate and inequitable in low- to middle-income countries such as South Africa. In South Africa, rural areas and small towns generally depend on a limited and climate-sensitive economic base (e.g., farming), and they have a limited capacity and are located in areas where transport challenges can increase WASH access risks. Climate change shifts hydrological cycles, which can worsen WASH access and increase susceptibility to the interlinked impacts of droughts and flooding in already vulnerable regions. We adopted a transdisciplinary approach to explore the needs, barriers, and vulnerabilities with respect to WASH in rural areas and small towns in South Africa—using two case studies to explore climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) in one rural village in the northern Limpopo province and a small town in the Western Cape province. This holistic approach considered natural (environment and climate) and socio-economic (economic, social, governance, and political) factors and how they interplay in hampering access to WASH. Extreme weather events characterized by frequent and intense droughts or floods aggravate surface and groundwater availability and damage water infrastructure while threatening agriculture-dependent livelihoods. The lack of reliable transport infrastructure increases risks posed by flooding as roads to vital supplies are prone to damage. High inequality linked to rising unemployment and the Apartheid legacy of a segregated service delivery system result in inequitable access to WASH services. The intertwined ways in which natural elements and historical, social, economic, governance, and policy aspects are changing in South Africa increase WASH vulnerability in rural areas and small towns.

Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Ground Water in the South-West Semi-Arid Region of the Plateau of MOSTAGANEM(Plain of BORDJIAS)

Groundwater availability; quality and quantity are important parameters for human development in terms of drinking, agriculture and industry in semi arid regions. The study of the groundwater quality of Bordjias Plain, located in the semi-arid south-western region of the Mostaganem Plateauin Algeria, is an essential parameter for the good health of the population. Chemical parameters analysis (pH, conductivity, Ca2+, Mg2+, TH, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3− PO43−, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V) was carried out on water samples in different localities of the plain of Bordjias. Characterization of groundwater samples according to the basic exchange index and hydrochemical parameters results show a mixed chemical composition. Samples were evaluated for various uses (consumption and household use, irrigation and industry) according to WHO standards, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and saturation index (SI). The results show that Bordjia plain groundwater is of good quality for domestic use and irrigation but not for industrial uses.