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Large‐Scale Mapping of Hard‐Rock Aquifer Properties Applied to Burkina Faso
Author(s) -
Courtois Nathalie,
Lachassagne Patrick,
Wyns Robert,
Blanchin Raymonde,
Bougaïré Francis D.,
Somé Sylvain,
Tapsoba Aïssata
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00620.x
Subject(s) - hydrogeology , lithology , aquifer , geology , scale (ratio) , metamorphic rock , context (archaeology) , weathering , aquifer properties , petrology , geologic map , geomorphology , geochemistry , mining engineering , groundwater , geotechnical engineering , cartography , geography , groundwater recharge , paleontology
A country‐scale (1:1,000,000) methodology has been developed for hydrogeologic mapping of hard‐rock aquifers (granitic and metamorphic rocks) of the type that underlie a large part of the African continent. The method is based on quantifying the “useful thickness” and hydrodynamic properties of such aquifers and uses a recent conceptual model developed for this hydrogeologic context. This model links hydrodynamic parameters (transmissivity, storativity) to lithology and the geometry of the various layers constituting a weathering profile. The country‐scale hydrogeological mapping was implemented in Burkina Faso, where a recent 1:1,000,000‐scale digital geological map and a database of some 16,000 water wells were used to evaluate the methodology.