CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT ON GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine the Climate Change Effect on Groundwater Resources in Benin City. The objectives were to acquire and analyze climate parameters, represent the historical and future climate data on a map, as well as to acquire and analyze historical borehole data for detecting groundwater levels. The methodology involves data acquisition of sentinel 2 imageries for generating the land use land cover of the area alongside hydrological data of SRTM (DEM), rainfall and temperature data (historical and future), soil data with the administrative location boundary map of the study area serving as an area of interest or extent for which all data processing operation is bounded, together with the acquisition of borehole data (1990 and 2020). The result of the study was used to create a Groundwater table map of Benin City, by analyzing and interpolating some climate parameters such as rainfall and temperature, mapping the soil data of the study area which was also a key feature on how rainwater infiltrates the ground and recharge the aquifer, mapping the Land use landcover of the study area which shows the urban sprawl and water demand in a specified area, and also the borehole data analysis from 1990 to 2020 which shows that Groundwater table has increased from 136.80m (deep) to 81.10m (high). Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific research and case studies, the study elucidates the farreaching effects of climate change on groundwater and emphasizes the urgency of adopting adaptive strategies to mitigate groundwater depletion. The exploration of sustainable practices, efficient water management, and cross-sector collaboration provides valuable insights into addressing the challenges posed by climate-induced groundwater variations.