An evaluation of the genesis and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in the Volta Region,Ghana |
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| Authors: | Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo Sandow Mark Yidana Emmanuel Nti |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana;(2) Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, 07043, NJ, USA |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | Salinity Irrigation Genetic Stable isotopes |
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