21 Proposed Research, Science, Technology and Innovation …
497
is not entirely fossil because little recharge exists from seepage from the Nile River
(Dolezal 2013) and possibly from the Tibesti Mountains and/or Ennedi Mountains
in Chad. This is one of many African aquifers where factors that govern aquifer
yield, recharge, and storage are not well documented or understood; thus, comprehensive studies, information sharing among stakeholders, and inclusive planning are
required for strategic management of the water resource. Most likely, enhanced artificial recharge of the Sandstone Aquifer using Nile floodwater can improve water
security in the Sahara Desert. Studies maybe required in order to compare the benefits of conjunctive management (use of the aquifer and Nile River surface water
resources) to current independent use of surface storage reservoirs in the Nile Basin
with low utilization of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. Artificial recharge may enable
conjunctive use of the groundwater and surface water of the Nile River. This may in
turn enable the building of huge settlements and the development of hinter Sahara
Desert areas which may help to decongest settlements along the Nile, hence reducing
the pollution risk of the Nile River. Comprehensive studies are required to formulate
conjunctive management strategies in order to avoid unintended consequences such
as conflicts among riparian states on the Nile River.
Storing water in disused and decommissioned mines through artificial recharge
may reduce evaporation losses. However, it would require finding solutions to
seepage losses, reducing pumping costs, and decontaminating water of heavy metals
and mining chemicals and related contaminants. As part of an environmental management strategy effort, implementation of cleaner production systems or mine end-oflife (mining venture) clean ups that leave no water contaminants must be developed. This would enable decommissioned mines to be used as safe groundwater
water storage facilities. Finding effective clean-up methods and identifying the most
appropriate uses for such water (such as irrigation) are new challenges for researchers.
In South Africa, disposal of coal and gold mine wastewater is a problem because
of the high concentration of chemical pollutants that make the wastewater unsuitable
for direct discharge into rivers. Irrigation with mine water in suitable soils can solve
the twin problems of wastewater disposal and shortage of irrigation water. A field
trial in South Africa used center pivots for irrigation with coal mine wastewater on
virgin (unmined) soil and mine-rehabilitated land. Several crops including wheat and
beans were successfully irrigated with gypsiferous mine water on a commercial scale
for 3 years, which resulted in plans to scale up the project (Shah et al. 2005). Therefore, further research into cost-effective methods for achieving practical conjunctive
water management that make use of water storage in decommissioned mines and
mine drainage water should be encouraged. Shah et al. (2005) further recommended
that research should explore practical strategies for proper institutional and organizational development, including incentives for conjunctive management among
different stakeholder groups, water pricing structures for both fresh and wastewater,
and institutional reforms and investment in the capacities of local governments to lead
participatory groundwater and integrated water resource management initiatives.
Energy for pumping and water treatment is required to recharge and abstract water
from aquifers. To enable commercial activity, it is necessary to reduce capital and
other costs by providing renewable energy from solar and wind farms, especially in
497
is not entirely fossil because little recharge exists from seepage from the Nile River
(Dolezal 2013) and possibly from the Tibesti Mountains and/or Ennedi Mountains
in Chad. This is one of many African aquifers where factors that govern aquifer
yield, recharge, and storage are not well documented or understood; thus, comprehensive studies, information sharing among stakeholders, and inclusive planning are
required for strategic management of the water resource. Most likely, enhanced artificial recharge of the Sandstone Aquifer using Nile floodwater can improve water
security in the Sahara Desert. Studies maybe required in order to compare the benefits of conjunctive management (use of the aquifer and Nile River surface water
resources) to current independent use of surface storage reservoirs in the Nile Basin
with low utilization of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. Artificial recharge may enable
conjunctive use of the groundwater and surface water of the Nile River. This may in
turn enable the building of huge settlements and the development of hinter Sahara
Desert areas which may help to decongest settlements along the Nile, hence reducing
the pollution risk of the Nile River. Comprehensive studies are required to formulate
conjunctive management strategies in order to avoid unintended consequences such
as conflicts among riparian states on the Nile River.
Storing water in disused and decommissioned mines through artificial recharge
may reduce evaporation losses. However, it would require finding solutions to
seepage losses, reducing pumping costs, and decontaminating water of heavy metals
and mining chemicals and related contaminants. As part of an environmental management strategy effort, implementation of cleaner production systems or mine end-oflife (mining venture) clean ups that leave no water contaminants must be developed. This would enable decommissioned mines to be used as safe groundwater
water storage facilities. Finding effective clean-up methods and identifying the most
appropriate uses for such water (such as irrigation) are new challenges for researchers.
In South Africa, disposal of coal and gold mine wastewater is a problem because
of the high concentration of chemical pollutants that make the wastewater unsuitable
for direct discharge into rivers. Irrigation with mine water in suitable soils can solve
the twin problems of wastewater disposal and shortage of irrigation water. A field
trial in South Africa used center pivots for irrigation with coal mine wastewater on
virgin (unmined) soil and mine-rehabilitated land. Several crops including wheat and
beans were successfully irrigated with gypsiferous mine water on a commercial scale
for 3 years, which resulted in plans to scale up the project (Shah et al. 2005). Therefore, further research into cost-effective methods for achieving practical conjunctive
water management that make use of water storage in decommissioned mines and
mine drainage water should be encouraged. Shah et al. (2005) further recommended
that research should explore practical strategies for proper institutional and organizational development, including incentives for conjunctive management among
different stakeholder groups, water pricing structures for both fresh and wastewater,
and institutional reforms and investment in the capacities of local governments to lead
participatory groundwater and integrated water resource management initiatives.
Energy for pumping and water treatment is required to recharge and abstract water
from aquifers. To enable commercial activity, it is necessary to reduce capital and
other costs by providing renewable energy from solar and wind farms, especially in