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Evaluating the Application of Multiple Remote Sensing Techniques to Investigate Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions: A Case Study of the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan

McGuinness, Sarah A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1588768268946894

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Geology.
Increasing population and changing climate exacerbate global resource management problems, including vital wetland habitats and renewable groundwater sources to support increasing demand. Remote sensing can be used to complement in situ data to improve watershed modeling. In many regions, the reliable and consistent in situ hydrologic data necessary is not available, nor can it be acquired economically. This case study of the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan to assess the use of multiple remote sensing datasets in the absence of in situ data. The Sudd Wetland is located along the White Nile River and exhibits highly variable seasonal flooding. In addition to providing habitat for both migratory and endemic at risk or endangered species, the wetland supports a human population of almost two million people. Despite the Sudd's importance, comprehensive hydrologic studies are limited by the lack of in situ data available. By comparing total water storage data from GRACE to other remotely sensed/modeled hydrologic information, including surface wetland extent from MODIS NDVI and MNDWI, precipitation and evapotranspiration rates, and GLDAS soil moisture, useful information on how this hydrologic system functions is acquired to inform regional watershed management. Distinct changes in the Sudd's annual water cycle under normal, drought, and post-drought conditions are evident. Evapotranspiration is the biggest loss, however there is evidence for groundwater-surface water interactions that could represent significant recharge/depletion of regional aquifers. In post-drought water years (April-March), surface wetland extent recovers more quickly than, and disproportionate to, total water storage. This indicates contact between surface water and shallow groundwater that could detrimentally impact regional aquifers if the Sudd's surface extent is threatened. Additionally, there is evidence that regional soil moisture estimates are negatively affected by the dearth of in situ data, which could impact additional studies both in this region and others which lack sufficient in situ monitoring.
Richard Becker (Committee Chair)
James Martin-Hayden (Committee Member)
Wondy Seyoum (Committee Member)
212 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Earth; Environmental Geology; Environmental Science; Geographic Information Science; Geology; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology; Remote Sensing; Water Resource Management
Remote Sensing; Sudd Wetland; GRACE EWT; NDVI; MNDWI

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McGuinness, S. A. (2020). Evaluating the Application of Multiple Remote Sensing Techniques to Investigate Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions: A Case Study of the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1588768268946894

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McGuinness, Sarah. Evaluating the Application of Multiple Remote Sensing Techniques to Investigate Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions: A Case Study of the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan. 2020. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1588768268946894.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McGuinness, Sarah. "Evaluating the Application of Multiple Remote Sensing Techniques to Investigate Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions: A Case Study of the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1588768268946894

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1588768268946894
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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.