An evaluation of the genesis and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in the Volta Region, Ghana

Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, Sandow Mark Yidana, Emmanuel Nti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stable isotope data and concentrations of the major cations and anions of groundwater from the northern part of the Volta Region, Ghana, were used to determine the source of recharge and the suitability of groundwater in the area for irrigation. This study finds that the delta deuterium (δD) and delta Oxygen-18 (δ18O) data from the area fall along the global meteoric water line (GMWL). An equation of regression derived for the relationship between δD and δ18O bears very close semblance to the equation which describes the GMWL. On the basis of this, groundwater in the study area is probably meteoric and fresh. The apparently low salinities and sodicities of the groundwater seem to support this interpretation. The suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes is related to its source, which determines its constitution. A plot of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC) data on a semilog axis, suggests that groundwater serves good irrigation quality in the area. Sixty percent (60%), 20% and 20% of the 67 data points used in this study fall within the medium salinity-low sodicity (C2-S1), low salinity-low sodicity (C1-S1) and high salinity-low sodicity (C3-S1) fields, which ascribe good irrigation quality to groundwater from this area. Salinities range from 28.1 to 1,956 μS/cm, whilst SAR values fall within the range 0-3. Extremely low sodicity waters of this kind, with salinities lower than 600 μS/cm, have the tendency to affect the dispersive properties of irrigation soils when used for irrigation. About 50% of the groundwater in the study area fall within this category and need prior treatment before usage.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1005-1010
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental Geology
Volume57
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Genetic
  • Irrigation
  • Salinity
  • Stable isotopes

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