Ecological and Environmental Impacts of Groundwater Development in the TMG Aquifer System
This document discusses the ecological and environmental impacts of large-scale groundwater development in the Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer System. It introduces groundwater concepts, highlights its interactions within various ecosystems, assesses groundwater dependence, and outlines critical terminologies related to hydrogeology. Emphasizing the significance of sustainable groundwater use, it aims to inform stakeholders about the potential risks associated with groundwater abstraction and its effects on terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystems.
Ecological and Environmental Impacts of Groundwater Development in the TMG Aquifer System
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Ecological and Environmental Impacts of Large-scale Groundwater Development in the Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer System Discussion Document forScoping Phase
Table of Contents 1 Purpose of this document 2 An introduction to groundwater 3 Groundwater interactions in the environment 4 Assessing Groundwater Dependence 5 References 6 Glossary of hydrogeological terms
Primary Aquifers: Spaces formed at the same time as the geological formation, for instance intergranular porosity in sand (e.g., alluvial deposits. Secondary Aquifers: Spaces formed after the geological formation, such as fractures in hard rock.
Groundwater interactions in the environment Interactions with non-marine aquatic ecosystems Surface water bodies Subsurface water bodies Interactions with terrestrial ecosystems Interactions with marine ecosystems
A groundwater dependent ecosystem, or component of an ecosystem, can be defined as: • ‘An ecosystem, or component of an ecosystem, that would be significantly altered by a change in the volume and/or temporal distribution of its groundwater supply’. • Furthermore • groundwater use = groundwater dependence; • groundwater use = use of TMG groundwater; • abstraction of TMG water =reduce supply to a GWDE. Groundwater dependence
