Availability of reliable meteorological data for watershed modeling is one of the considerable challenges in the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia. To overcome this challenge, the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) global weather data was evaluated and compared with the limited conventional weather data available in the Upper Awash Basin. The main objective of this study was to search for an optional data source for hydrological modeling, instead of using the limited available data, and for data-scarce areas of the basin. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was used to compare the performance of the two weather datasets at simulating monthly streamflow. For calibration, validation, and uncertainty analysis, the sequential uncertainty fitting algorithm was used. The model evaluation statistics showed that the CFSR global weather data performed similarly to the conventional weather data for simulating the observed streamflow at Melka Kunture. At Keleta, where the conventional data is scarce, the CFSR performed better. The CFSR performance at the two sub-basins indicated that it performed better for the large sub-basin, Melka Kunture. Generally, the CFSR weather data are a good addition to the dataset for areas where no reliable weather data exists for hydrological modeling in the basin. The precipitation data of the CFSR are slightly higher than that of the conventional data, which also resulted in a relatively higher water balance components.
Seawater intrusion (SWI) is a major environmental threat to groundwater resources in coastal regions. GALDIT is an index-based SWI vulnerability model that is increasingly being used in many parts of the world to identify regions that are vulnerable to various types of SWI based on six major parameters. In this study, we conducted a vulnerability assessment of Jeju Island to SWI based on several years of collected groundwater level data and hydrogeological values where the objectives of the study were to visualize the distribution of recent SWI, to increase the reliability of the GALDIT assessment method by improving current GALDIT techniques, and to respond effectively to diagnoses of SWI on Jeju. To improve the GALDIT assessment method to fit the Jeju model, the possibility of electrical conductivity was explored instead of standard GALDIT parameters that represented the existing impact of SWI. Improvements to the GALDIT vulnerability assessment method made it clear that groundwater became increasingly vulnerable to SWI in the existing high-vulnerability group. The results of this research may be used to develop a quantitative index for rational decision-making on policies and suggest the need for further improvements in groundwater management, with a stronger focus on easing groundwater use.2 of 17 index method. Numerical simulations reproduce the dynamics of groundwater flow and salt transport in the coastal aquifer and can incorporate site characteristics [2,[7][8][9][10][11][12]. However, despite their accuracy and usefulness, numerical simulations require a considerable amount of hydrogeologic data as input and a difficult calibration process, therefore substantial computing power is needed for data processing and modeling.An alternative vulnerability assessment method uses a steady-state analytical solution based on the sharp interface model with the Ghyben-Herzberg principle, where the mixing of freshwater and saltwater is neglected and instead a sharp interface is assumed [13]. The sharp interface model is often employed to assess the vulnerability of aquifers to the effects of SWI because of the relatively easy and rapid computations. For example, Werner et al. [14] proposed a SWI vulnerability index based on the sharp interface approach to predict the impacts of future climate change and groundwater depletion by anthropogenic activities. Morgan and Werner [15] combined the analytical approach with qualitative investigation to assess the vulnerability of confined aquifers in Australia.Recently, assessments using overlay and index techniques based on spatial mapping have been developed and improved to intuitively show the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers. Some of the common methods used for classification and mapping of groundwater vulnerability zones include DRASTIC [16], GALDIT [17], SINTACS [18], and Aquifer Vulnerability Index (AVI) [19]. With the exception of GALDIT, the methods were developed from the concept that pollutants originate from the land surface and are transported through the vadose...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.