Groundwater Resources of the Transboundary Quaternary Aquifer of the Lake Chad Basin: Towards a Better Management via Isotope Hydrology

Fricelle Song, Bertil Nlend, Suzanne Ngo Boum-Nkot, Frederic Huneau (), Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Emilie Garel, Thomas Leydier, Helene Celle, Boris Djieugoue, Marie-Joseph Ntamak-Nida and Jacques Etame
Additional contact information
Fricelle Song: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Bertil Nlend: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Suzanne Ngo Boum-Nkot: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Frederic Huneau: Département d’Hydrogéologie, Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, BP52, 20250 Corte, France
Gustave Nkoue Ndondo: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Emilie Garel: Département d’Hydrogéologie, Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, BP52, 20250 Corte, France
Thomas Leydier: Département d’Hydrogéologie, Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, BP52, 20250 Corte, France
Helene Celle: UMR 6249-CNRS Chrono-Environnement, Université de Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
Boris Djieugoue: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Marie-Joseph Ntamak-Nida: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon
Jacques Etame: Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala P.O. Box 24157, Cameroon

Resources, 2023, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: A multi-tracer approach has been implemented in the southwestern part of the Lake Chad Basin to depict the functioning of aquifers in terms of recharge, relationship with surface water bodies, flow paths and contamination. The results are of interest for sustainable water management in the region. The multi-layered structure of the regional aquifer was highlighted with shallower and intermediate to deep flow paths. The shallower aquifer is recharged with rainwater and interconnected with surface water. The groundwater chemistry indicates geogenic influences in addition to a strong anthropogenic fingerprint. The intermediate to deep aquifer shows a longer residence time of groundwater, less connection with the surface and no to only a little anthropogenic influence. Ambient Background Levels (ABLs) and Threshold Values (TVs) show the qualitative status of the groundwater bodies and provide helpful information for water resources protection and the implementation of new directives for efficient and more sustainable groundwater exploitation.

Keywords: groundwater; ambient background levels; stable isotopes; residence time; water management; Cameroon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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