Effect of focus flood water spreading on recharge in semi-arid climate: case of water spreading weirs in Burkina Faso

IF 2.2 4区地球科学 Q2 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of African Earth Sciences Pub Date : 2025-09-18 DOI:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105852

Fatoumata Kabore , Philippe Orban , Aurore Degre , Issoufou Ouedraogo , Eric Hallot , Serge Brouyere

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In recent years, water spreading weirs have been implemented on watercourses in West Africa. This study investigates the hydrological impact of water spreading weirs (WSWs) in the semi-arid Wedbila watershed of Burkina Faso, a region challenged by soil degradation and scarce water resources. The study employs an integrated, multidisciplinary approach combining in situ monitoring of surface water levels, soil moisture at multiple depths, and piezometric fluctuations to capture the influence of WSWs on soil water dynamics and aquifer recharge. Comparative analyses between zones impacted by water spreading and control zones provide a robust empirical basis—making this one of the few West African studies to comprehensively combine these measurements in assessing WSW effects on infiltration and groundwater recharge.

Results demonstrate that WSWs significantly enhance soil moisture retention near the surface and notable rises in piezometric levels observed during and after flood events. Correlation analysis of monitored parameters indicated that groundwater recharge is dependent on rainfall distribution, surface water levels, and soil properties.

Using soil water balance, the annual infiltration calculated in the spreading zone was 568 mm, significantly exceeding that observed outside the spreading zone. Cumulative infiltration during spreading periods accounted for 57 % of annual infiltration.

This water spreading weirs positive impact demonstrates, contingent upon spreading duration, topography and soil characteristics.

Importantly, the WSWs as a low-cost managed aquifer recharge (MAR) solution suitable for data-poor, semi-arid regions like Burkina Faso. By enhancing the landscape's capacity to capture scarce and erratic rainfall, WSWs contribute to climate resilience and agricultural productivity in vulnerable rural communities facing increasing water scarcity due to climate change. They serve as a complementary technique for raising the groundwater level when conditions are favorable in Burkina Faso.

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半干旱气候下焦点洪水扩散对补给的影响——以布基纳法索扩散堰为例

近年来，在西非的水道上实施了扩水堰。本研究调查了布基纳法索半干旱的Wedbila流域扩水堰（WSWs）的水文影响，该地区面临土壤退化和水资源匮乏的挑战。该研究采用综合的多学科方法，结合地面水位、多个深度的土壤湿度和压力波动的原位监测，以捕捉WSWs对土壤水动力学和含水层补给的影响。受水扩散影响的区域和控制区之间的比较分析提供了强有力的经验基础，使该研究成为西非为数不多的综合这些测量来评估WSW对入渗和地下水补给影响的研究之一。结果表明，WSWs显著提高了近地表土壤的保湿能力，并在洪水期间和之后显著提高了土壤的测压水平。监测参数的相关分析表明，地下水补给取决于降雨分布、地表水位和土壤性质。利用土壤水分平衡法计算出扩展区内的年入渗量为568 mm，显著超过扩展区外的年入渗量。扩展期的累积入渗占年入渗的57%。这种水扩散堰的积极影响取决于扩散的持续时间、地形和土壤特征。重要的是，WSWs作为一种低成本的管理含水层补给（MAR）解决方案，适用于布基纳法索等数据贫乏的半干旱地区。通过增强景观捕捉稀缺和不稳定降雨的能力，WSWs有助于脆弱农村社区的气候适应能力和农业生产力，这些社区因气候变化而面临日益严重的水资源短缺。在条件有利的情况下，它们可以作为一种补充技术来提高布基纳法索的地下水位。

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来源期刊

Journal of African Earth Sciences 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

4.30%

发文量

240

审稿时长

12 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of African Earth Sciences sees itself as the prime geological journal for all aspects of the Earth Sciences about the African plate. Papers dealing with peripheral areas are welcome if they demonstrate a tight link with Africa. The Journal publishes high quality, peer-reviewed scientific papers. It is devoted primarily to research papers but short communications relating to new developments of broad interest, reviews and book reviews will also be considered. Papers must have international appeal and should present work of more regional than local significance and dealing with well identified and justified scientific questions. Specialised technical papers, analytical or exploration reports must be avoided. Papers on applied geology should preferably be linked to such core disciplines and must be addressed to a more general geoscientific audience.