Hydrogeophysical characterization of coastal aquifers for solution-based modeling, West Coast, South Africa

Abstract

The need to improve groundwater security remains critical especially in urban areas where demand for groundwater as an alternative source of water supply increases. Declining trends in availability of surface water because of climate change effects further exacerbates problems of water supply shortage to meet the increasing demand for water, hence the need for groundwater sources. The use of hydrogeophysics data and derivative analysis in understanding aquifer dynamics remains limited and poorly understood therefore, the study argues that when hydrogeophysics data and derivative analysis are not used in aquifer characterization, it results in models that are not solution-based and cannot guide groundwater management. The study was aimed at providing improved understanding on characterization of aquifer dynamics for solution-based modelling while addressing the importance of integrating hydrogeophysics data and derivative analysis in amplifying the heterogeneities that exist in aquifer system.