A geochemical survey of spring water from the main Ethiopian rift valley, southern Ethiopia: implications for well-head protection

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. McKenzie ◽  
Donald I. Siegel ◽  
William Patterson ◽  
D. Jonathan McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Geochemical Survey ◽  
Head Protection

scholarly journals Fluoride exposure from groundwater as reflected by urinary fluoride and children's dental fluorosis in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley

2014 ◽  
Vol 496 ◽  
pp. 188-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tewodros Rango ◽  
Avner Vengosh ◽  
Marc Jeuland ◽  
Redda Tekle-Haimanot ◽  
Erika Weinthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Fluoride Exposure ◽  
Urinary Fluoride

scholarly journals Characterization of Water Level Variability of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes

Hydrology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Belete ◽  
Bernd Diekkrüger ◽  
Jackson Roehrig
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Rift Valley Lakes

scholarly journals Groundwater Resources in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley: An Overview for a Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Sabrina Maria Rita Bonetto ◽  
Chiara Caselle ◽  
Domenico Antonio De Luca ◽  
Manuela Lasagna
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Health And Economic Development

In arid and semi-arid areas, human health and economic development depend on water availability, which can be greatly compromised by droughts. In some cases, the presence of natural contaminants may additionally reduce the availability of good quality water. This research analyzed the water resources and hydrochemical characteristics in a rural area of the central Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, particularly in the districts of Shashemene, Arsi Negelle, and Siraro. The study was developed using a census of the main water points (springs and wells) in the area and the sampling and physico-chemical analysis of the water, with particular regard to the fluoride concentration. In many cases, fluoride content exceeded the drinking water limits set by the World Health Organization, even in the absence of anthropogenic contamination. Two different aquifers were recognized: A shallow aquifer related to the eastern escarpment and highlands, and a deep aquifer in the lowland areas of the rift valley on the basis of compositional changes from Ca–Mg/HCO3 to Na–HCO3. The distribution of fluoride, as well as pH and EC values, showed a decrease from the center of the lowlands to the eastern highlands, with similar values closely aligned along an NNE/SSW trend. All these data contribute to creating awareness among and sharing information on the risks with rural communities and local governments to support the adequate use of the available water resources and to plan appropriate interventions to increase access to fresh water, aimed at the sustainable human and rural local development of the region.

scholarly journals Water Resource Assessment of a Complex Volcanic System Under Semi-Arid Climate Using Numerical Modeling: The Borena Basin in Southern Ethiopia

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Moumtaz Razack ◽  
Wakgari Furi ◽  
Likissa Fanta ◽  
Abera Shiferaw
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Regional Model ◽  
Arid Climate ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Sustainable Yield ◽  
Volcanic System ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Natural Recharge

The Borena basin is located in southern Ethiopia, in a semi-arid climate, on the eastern shoulder of the south Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). The study area covers 18,000 km2 and is characterized by a lack of perennial surface waters that can be used for domestic and agricultural purpose. As a result, groundwater, which occurs in complex volcanic settings, is the only source for water supply in the study area. This work is focused on the basaltic aquifers, which are intensely fractured, resulting in strong connectivity within the system. All available data (geology, hydraulic head, hydraulic parameters, well inventory and discharge, etc.) were compiled in a GIS database. The overall objective of this work is the assessment of groundwater potential, its spatial distribution and factors controlling its movement using numerical groundwater modeling to enhance groundwater management and use in the Borena basin. The modeling task was conducted at two scales: (i) regional scale; (ii) wellfields scale. The regional steady state model was calibrated using the Pilot points approach, highlighting a strongly heterogeneous system. A significant result of the regional model consisted of estimating the water balance of the whole system. The total inflow to the basin amounts to 542 × 106 m3/year, of which 367 × 106 m3/year are provided by superficial recharge. Groundwater resources are exploited with 7 wellfields. Exploitation of the wellfields was optimized based on the Sustainable Yield concept, which reserves a fraction of natural recharge for the benefit of the environment (surface waters, ecosystems). Each wellfield was extracted from the regional model, refined and used to simulate and optimize pumping scenarios, with the objective of maximizing discharge rates and avoiding over-exploitation of the groundwater. The optimized abstraction at all wellfields amounts to 121 × 106 m3/year, which represents 33% of the natural recharge and fully agrees with the sustainable yield concept.

scholarly journals Origin of Fluoride and Arsenic in the Main Ethiopian Rift Waters

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 453
Author(s):  
Gianluca Bianchini ◽  
Valentina Brombin ◽  
Chiara Marchina ◽  
Claudio Natali ◽  
Tewodros Rango Godebo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spring ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Volcanic Glass ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Health Organization

In the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) area, rural populations often use water that exceeds the World Health Organization thresholds for fluoride (F–) and arsenic (As), two elements that are hazardous for human health. In this study, twenty-nine water samples were collected from lakes and hot and cold springs in southern MER to investigate source(s) and health-risk of the F– and As contamination. According to major ion and trace element analyses, only cold spring water is safe for consumption, whereas hot spring water is the most contaminated. Leaching tests performed with the MER rhyolitic volcanic rocks and their weathered products (fluvio-lacustrine sediments) demonstrate that the main cause of the F– and As release is geogenic, i.e., not related to anthropogenic activities. The weathering of volcanic glass and minerals (apatites, clays, hydro-oxides) by CO2-bearing alkaline water induces the mobilisation of F– and As from solid to liquid phase. This process is particularly fast, when fluvio-lacustrine sediments are involved, and can be further enhanced by hot groundwater leaching. This study, investigating the distribution, sources, and mechanisms of F– and As release in MER water, could be of interest also for other sectors of the East African Rift and other similar volcano-tectonic settings.

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