Effect of rapidly urbanizing environment on the Thiaroye, Senegal, unconfined sandy aquifer

摘要

Nitrate is the most widespread contaminant in the Thiaroye groundwater system. The elevated concentration of nitrate (up to 540 mg/l NO_3) detected in parts of the aquifer system is perfectly correlated with the densely populated settlements in the Dakar suburb area. The study was carried out using a geographical information system (ARC/INFO). Thematic maps based both on surface features and reservoir characteristics are combined to identify in the aquifer domain various and gradual vulnerability zones.