Groundwater vulnerability to pollution in Africa’s Sahel region

Joel Podgorski (), Oliver Kracht, Luis Araguas-Araguas, Stefan Terzer-Wassmuth, Jodie Miller, Ralf Straub, Rolf Kipfer and Michael Berg ()
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Joel Podgorski: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Oliver Kracht: International Atomic Energy Agency
Luis Araguas-Araguas: International Atomic Energy Agency
Stefan Terzer-Wassmuth: International Atomic Energy Agency
Jodie Miller: International Atomic Energy Agency
Ralf Straub: SFOE, Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Rolf Kipfer: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Michael Berg: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 5, 558-567

Abstract: Abstract Protection of groundwater resources is essential to ensure quality and sustainable use. However, predicting vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution can be difficult where data are limited. This is particularly true in the Sahel region of Africa, which has a rapidly growing population and increasing water demands. Here we use groundwater measurements of tritium (3H) with machine learning to create an aquifer vulnerability map (of the western Sahel), which forms an important basis for sustainable groundwater management. Modelling shows that arid areas with greater precipitation seasonality, higher permeability and deeper wells or water table generally have older groundwater and less vulnerability to pollution. About half of the modelled area was classified as vulnerable. Groundwater vulnerability is based on recent recharge, implying a sensitivity also to a changing climate, for example, through altered precipitation or evapotranspiration. This study showcases the efficacy of using tritium to assess aquifer vulnerability and the value of tritium analyses in groundwater, particularly towards improving the spatial and temporal resolution.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01319-5

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