Abstract
This study focuses on Laos, a landlocked nation located in South-East Asia with sub-tropical climate and highly seasonal rainfall distribution. Laos is one of the world’s least developed countries, and currently witnesses an unprecedented level of development that is highly reliant on its natural resources, including groundwater. There is currently very limited data and no nationwide assessment of shallow (<30 m) groundwater resources to support sustainable management. This study provides a first step towards addressing this issue by (i) identifying the major aquifer units of the country; (ii) integrating localized data and regional maps into an assessment of the groundwater potential; and (iii) producing quantitative maps of key hydrogeological indicators. Eight aquifer units have been described and evaluated: (i) Basement aquifers, (ii) Volcanic aquifers, (iii) Schists, (iv) Paleozoic sedimentary, (v) Karsts, (vi) Limestones, (vii) Mesozoic sedimentary and (viii) Alluvial sediments. The Mesozoic sandstones and the Alluvial aquifers are the most extensive and productive hydrogeological systems in the country. The Volcanic and Karstic aquifers, although poorly known, might also have important potential. This assessment, along with the maps of quantitative aquifer indicators, provide a significant improvement in both spatial resolution and accuracy compared to previously available information. It will likely support improved management plans and the identification of areas with higher potential for groundwater development.
Highlights
Situated in the tropics, Laos is a land-locked country classified by the United Nations DevelopmentProgram (UNDP) as one of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) with a poverty rate of 23%.As population increases and steady economic growth is leading the country towards exiting the LDCs by 2020 [1], the demand on water resources to meet hydropower, agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs is rising.Often considered as “water-rich”, Laos has a long-term average annual rainfall above 1500 mm.Due to this wealth in rainfall, most attention has been given to surface water systems, in some cases, for irrigation and mainly for electricity production, with major rivers witnessing unprecedented hydropower development [2,3]
Through a systematic identification, mapping and synthesis on aquifer properties of eight aquifer units, and construction of quantitative indicators on storage, productivity, and recharge, this study demonstrates both low and high groundwater potential aquifers are found across Laos
It shows that higher groundwater potential is mostly located in central and southern Laos due to the presence of Mesozoic sandstones and Alluvial aquifers
Summary
Laos is a land-locked country classified by the United Nations DevelopmentProgram (UNDP) as one of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) with a poverty rate of 23%.As population increases and steady economic growth is leading the country towards exiting the LDCs by 2020 [1], the demand on water resources to meet hydropower, agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs is rising.Often considered as “water-rich”, Laos has a long-term average annual rainfall above 1500 mm.Due to this wealth in rainfall, most attention has been given to surface water systems, in some cases, for irrigation and mainly for electricity production, with major rivers witnessing unprecedented hydropower development [2,3]. As population increases and steady economic growth is leading the country towards exiting the LDCs by 2020 [1], the demand on water resources to meet hydropower, agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs is rising. Often considered as “water-rich”, Laos has a long-term average annual rainfall above 1500 mm. Due to this wealth in rainfall, most attention has been given to surface water systems, in some cases, for irrigation and mainly for electricity production, with major rivers witnessing unprecedented hydropower development [2,3]. Groundwater, in contrast, was historically not placed under high pressure, and was, until recent years, overlooked in water resource policies and institutionally [4,5].
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