Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources in a Semi-Arid Region: A Case Study of Damaturu, Yobe State

Abstract

In this study, the impact of climate change on groundwater was investigated. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data obtained from the study area was used to characterize the subsurface lithology of the study area. Schlumberger electrode configuration was adopted for the study and five geoelectric layers were delineated. The delineated geologic layers are topsoil, clay, sand, sandy-clay, and sand. Precipitation and temperature data for thirty years (1991-2020) obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Station Potiskum, were used to analyze the impact of climate variability on groundwater in the study area. The temperature and precipitation data were analyzed using the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) method. The geophysical survey results showed that the proximity of the first aquifer to the ground surface enhances the influence of high temperature on the groundwater. The first aquifer is semi-confined while the second aquifer is confined in the study area. The results of the analyzed precipitation data showed that the amount of precipitation in the study area has declined over the years. The results of the analyzed temperature data clearly showed that the study area is warming. The aquifers in the study area recharge by precipitation (rainfall) since there are no rivers or streams in the area. The decline in the amount of precipitation in the study area over the years has affected the aquifer recharge, leading to a reduction in the groundwater table.  The effects of climate change on groundwater in the study area contributed to water scarcity, and the drying up of some wells and shallow boreholes in the study area. It has also contributed to the high cost of groundwater management in the area. The increasing trend in climatic variability in the study area may endanger the groundwater potential of the area if appropriate actions are not taken.