Terrestrial water storage and climate variability study of the Volta River Basin, West Africa

The Volta Basin in West Africa plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people, and effective management of its water resources is essential for climate change adaptation. This study utilized remote sensing technology, specifically the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theoretical and applied climatology 2024, Vol.155 (1), p.309-325
Main Authors: Atayi, Julia, Anornu, Geophrey K., Awotwi, Alfred, Andam-Akorful, Samuel A., Kabo-bah, Amos T., Twumasi, Yaw A., Adu-Afari, Emmanuel, Anim-Gyampo, Maxwell
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Aquatic Pollution
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Atmospheric Sciences
Climate adaptation
Climate change
Climate change adaptation
Climate models
Climate variability
Climatology
Drought
Drought monitoring
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
El Nino
El Nino phenomena
El Nino-Southern Oscillation event
Environmental hazards
Environmental monitoring
Flood forecasting
Flood management
GRACE (experiment)
Gravity
Groundwater
Groundwater storage
Independent component analysis
La Nina
Livelihoods
Precipitation
Precipitation patterns
Rainfall
Remote sensing
Resource management
River basins
Satellite observation
Southern Oscillation
Statistical analysis
Surface water
Surface water availability
Surface-groundwater relations
Variability
Waste Water Technology
Water availability
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Water resources
Water resources management
Water storage
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Summary:The Volta Basin in West Africa plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people, and effective management of its water resources is essential for climate change adaptation. This study utilized remote sensing technology, specifically the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), to assess terrestrial water storage (TWS) and its response to climate variability within the Volta Basin. The methodology involved integrating GRACE data with ground-based measurements, climate models, and other satellite observations to enhance the accuracy of TWS assessment. Despite numerous studies conducted within the basin, this research employed additional statistical techniques such as Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). It also utilized Climate Hazard Group Infrared Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) to determine variations in TWS and climate variability observed within the Volta Basin. The results provide valuable insights into TWS dynamics, highlighting the complex interplay between precipitation patterns, groundwater storage, and surface water availability. Also, it was revealed that rainfall signals were strongest in the northernmost part of the basin, reaching a maximum value of 10 mm, while the lowest value of 5.5 mm was recorded in the southern part of the basin. Similarly, TWS signals were highest in the northern and lowest in the southern part of the basin, exhibiting values related to that of rainfall. Additionally, the highest TWS value of 250 mm was identified between 2010 and 2012. The increase in TWS during this period correlates with the occurrence of La Niña that happened between 2010 and 2012. This study offers essential information for water resource management, drought monitoring, flood forecasting, and climate change adaptation strategies not only within the Volta Basin but also in other basins across the globe.
ISSN:0177-798X
1434-4483
DOI:10.1007/s00704-023-04636-5