Impact of Climate Variability on Groundwater Recharge: A Case Study of Selected Regions in Nigeria
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The increasing impact of climate change on groundwater resources in Nigeria's ten selected locations presents a multifaceted challenge with far-reaching socio-economic implications. Urgent action is required to mitigate these impacts and build resilience among affected communities. A combination of hydrometrological data and geological knowledge was applied to scrutinize the factors that can impact on groundwater recharge in selected localities. Advanced statistical techniques using data from five models, based on the Coupled Muodel Intercomparison Project 6 dataset were employed to analyse hydro-meteorological parameters and their effects on groundwater recharge, particularly within the Shared Socio-economic Pathway 585 framework. The study combined historical data from 1971 to 2005 with future projections up to 2041. The research also delved into the impact of climate change on hydro meteorological parameters in a flood-prone area known as the Auchi station, while also factoring in the underlying geological properties. Results showed substantial increases in these parameters, with projected annual values of 1400.47mm, 514.64mm, and 331.42mm, respectively. Revealing significant increases in mean annual precipitation, total runoff, and groundwater recharge, indicating greater water resource availability in the future. This study enhances the understanding of climate change's influence on groundwater, crucial for sustainable water management. The result shows that there is an increment in rainfall across Nigeria due to increasing temperature. There is a modest rainfall trend of 0.89mm/year, 0.91mm/year and 0.134 mm/year in the Southern stations of Auchi, Akure and Ossomala respectively while the Northern station of Yola, Katsina and Maiduguri exhibit high rainfall trend of 2.3mm/year, 2.87mm/year and 5.15mm/year respectively. The increasing rainfall however led to increasing groundwater recharge at Auchi (0.2mm/year), Akure (0.713mm/year), Ossomala (0.92mm/year), Yola (0.89mm/year), Katsina (0.65mm/year) while Maiduguri is having increasing groundwater recharge at 2.27mm/year. Areas characterized by significant elevation changes, such as the Jos Plateau, experience higher annual rainfall, total runoff, and groundwater recharge, surpassing that of neighbouring regions. Ultimately, the study recommends the implementation of tailored groundwater management strategies that consider the unique hydrogeological characteristics of each region and the potential effects of climate change. The cumulative findings significantly augment our comprehension of climate change's influence on groundwater resources, thus affording invaluable insights for the promotion of sustainable water resource management across the selected stations.
Publication Info:
Author: Bamisaiye, O.A.* , Ilori, O.W. , Abugu, C.C. and Ajayi, V.O. 0022-2763 1
Volume: 60
Issue: March
Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 60(1) 2024. pp. 91 - 112, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), 2024-03-01