Sahel/Water: a region under pressure

-- a note from _kt75 



The Sahelian zone is subject to a significant drought. Missing rainfalls [1], local and regional conflicts as well as inefficient farming methods number among the key reasons [2]-[4]. Actually a fertile grassland located among the dessert in the North and the rain forest in the South, the Sahelian region is highly dependent upon sufficient rain fall [5], [1]. However, since the late 1960ies a notable decline in rainfall intensity has been recorded [1] and thus access to surface water is more and more limited [5]-[7]. As pivotal aspect for this development the global warming (climate change) has been detected. In order to tackle and overcome this critical situation in the past years a number of efforts, in particular of technical nature have been launched. One example is the successful installation of solar power operated ground water wells which are well-suited to facilitate decentralised water supply [8]. The use of ground water in the Sahelian region, primarily for irrigation purposes seems to be promising - the reported ground water quality healthy [9]. Critical however remains the fact that ground water reservoirs, depending upon underlying hydro-geologic regime represent finite resources to be refilled - by rain [10], [11].

Selected References: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

---
Prominent _kt75 publications: 
► What prevents sustainable development (best)?... (click here to participate) - 50% believe that the human himself blocks sustainable development. What do you think?

Popular posts from this blog

Renewables - Part I: Is Solar Energy Ready To Compete With Oil And Other Fossil Fuels?
- a status note -

Image
reprint The solar energy industry may prove to be a dark horse in the race to provide global energy security. The world has renewed its interest in solar energy investment as it searches for a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Countries like China , Germany, the UK, the US, Japan and Canada have already made significant investments in solar power . Who are the other players who are investing big in solar energy? With its own set of limitations such as high installation costs and high plug-in time, are consumers across the world ready to choose solar energy to power their daily lives? Or, are the conventional energy sources still the best bet? The best part about solar energy is that it is abundant and freely available, at least in most parts of the world. However, the high upfront costs of a photo voltaic panel remain a concern for many. Things are changing fast, however, and according to data from SEIA, the cost of an average PV system i
Read more

The Red Line: The Potential Impact on Asia Gas Markets of Russia’s Eastern Gas Strategy

Image
  reprint Russia possesses the potential to produce significant gas from its Eastern Regions, with total proved reserves  in  East  Siberia  and  the  Far  East  of  Russia  standing  at  5  trillion  cubic  metres  (Tcm)  while prospective  resources  could  be  as  large  as  65Tcm. This  would  appear  to  give  Russia  a  huge opportunity for export sales into the Asia Pacific region , which contains the world’s largest LNG importing  nations  and  two  of  the  world’s  fastest  growing  gas  markets   in  China  and  India   (also importers  of  LNG). It  is  surprising,  therefore,  that  despite  the  obvious  commercial  logic  of  linking enormous gas resources to expanding consumption centres, to date Russia’s only significant exports in  the  region  are  from  the  Sakhalin  2  project,  which  currently  sells  10.8mt  (14.6  Bcm)  of  LNG  per annum  into  the  neighbouring  Asian  markets . However,  it  is  possible  this  situation  could  change significant
Read more

Climate Change and its Effects on Water Resources/Supply

Image
Most recent publications document a distinct effect of the ongoing climate change on water systems such as lakes, oceans, rivers, etc. Accordingly, implications (increasingly stress effects) on any kind of system be it artificial or natural are expected. More detailed information can be obtained among others from: Climate Changes & Satellites AWRA Onearth Nature Reports   CMAJ
Read more