Keynote speaker: TBA 

Conveners: Bertram Swartz, Ester Gustavo

In Africa, hydrogeology plays a crucial role in providing sustainable water resources for various uses, including domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes. The hydrogeological characteristics of Africa vary significantly from region to region due to differences in geology, climate, and land use. The continent is characterized by extensive aquifers that are often poorly understood, particularly in remote and under-explored regions. The identification and characterization of these aquifers is critical for effective groundwater management and development.

As one of the key challenges in hydrogeology in Africa, the scarcity of reliable data hinders the effective management of groundwater resources. However, recent advances in remote sensing, geophysical techniques, and numerical modelling have improved our understanding of groundwater systems in Africa. These tools have enabled hydrogeologists to delineate groundwater recharge areas, estimate groundwater storage, and predict groundwater flow patterns.

Another important aspect of hydrogeology in Africa is the impact of climate change on groundwater resources. Studies have shown that changes in precipitation patterns and temperature can significantly affect the recharge and discharge of groundwater, leading to changes in the availability and quality of water resources. Overall, hydrogeology is a critical field for the sustainable development of water resources in Africa. This session will deal with future research focusing on the improvement of our understanding of groundwater systems, developing effective management strategies, and mitigating the impacts of climate change on groundwater resources.

Although, several challenges still resonate in the sustainable management of groundwater resources in Africa, including over-abstraction, pollution, and climate change. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving hydrogeologists, geologists, environmental scientists, and policymakers. This session will highlight these ideas and aim to bring forth some best practices and approaches to deal with them.

ST05–S01 HYDROGEOLOGY AND WATER SUSTAINABILITY UNDER A CHANGING CLIMATE

Conveners: Bertram Swartz, Ester Gustavo