5.2 Exercises Pertinent to Section 2
Exercise 5
Using a world map of geologic provinces similar to the one on Wikipedia that shows major geologic structural units, compare the location of the mega aquifer systems with that of continental shields, volcanic rock areas and folded mountain regions. What do you observe and what are your conclusions?
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Exercise 6
The oldest sediments in some of the mega aquifer systems date back from the first period of the Paleozoic Era, or they are even older. Identify, by name, a few systems where this is the case.
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Exercise 7
Define the following terms related to aquifer systems and indicate how they differ from each other: a) stored groundwater volume; b) groundwater reserves; c) exploitable groundwater reserves; and, d) exploitable groundwater resources.
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Exercise 8
Compare the theoretically recoverable groundwater storage estimates listed in Table 6 (‘reserves’) with the graphical presentation of groundwater reserves in Africa in Figure 11. Are they in reasonable agreement? For which mega aquifer systems is the agreement good and for which ones is it less satisfactory?
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Exercise 9
Richey and others (2015a; doi:10.1002/2015WR017351) produced groundwater storage estimates for the 37 mega aquifer systems, using different methods. Give your opinion on the methods used and the credibility of the outcomes reported by the authors (subdivided into historical, regional, and revised estimates).
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Exercise 10
Which of the mega aquifer systems have brackish or saline groundwater in the upper aquifer(s) in at least a significant part of their total area, overlying extensive fresh groundwater reserves?