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Determining discharges from the Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer to wetlands in the Southern Cape, South Africa

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Abstract

The focus of this study was to determine whether coastal wetlands in lowland settings could be dependent on groundwater from the deep circulating confined Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer. Groundwater interactions with wetlands are normally perceived to be limited to primary aquifers. A comparative study was done between two endorheic coastal wetlands in the southern Cape. Earlier reports stated that these groundwater dependent wetlands were fed by discharges from the fixed dunes surrounding them. On the basis of a three-dimensional electrical conductivity (EC) interpolation for Groenvlei, a hydrological link between the TMG aquifer and Groenvlei and Van Kervelsvlei was investigated by measuring water level and quality of groundwater and surface water. Water quality parameters used were EC, pH, Na+, Fe2+ and Cl−. The results from this, and an accompanying study, on the basis of water quality and plant nutrient cycling assessments, indicated direct groundwater discharges from the TMG to at least Van Kervelsvlei, with Groenvlei receiving secondary discharges from the TMG via Van Kervelslvlei. These findings significantly affect the current knowledge on which water balance models are based for the determination of groundwater availability for the area.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to VLIR IUC “Flemish Interuniversity Counsel”, VLIR NSS and Fund Scientific Research Flanders for funding this research. I would also like to thank all the participants from the following Universities for their hard work and support during this study: UWC and the teams from the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven, University of Antwerp, Ghent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Maxwell Batson and Tamuka Nhiwatiwa of the University of Zimbabwe, and Dr Haili Jia from the University of Fort Hare who helped with the generation of the 3-D interpollation for Groenvlei. Thanks are also due to CapeNature and P.G. Bison for allowing us free access to conduct the research at Groenvlei and Van Kervelslvei, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd (A DHV - Company), Postnet Suite #200, P/Bag X6590, George, 6530, South Africa

    W. Roets

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, P/Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    Y. Xu

  3. Department of Botany, University of the Western Cape, P/Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    L. Raitt

  4. Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp, KDE Universiteitsplein1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium

    M. El-Kahloun & P. Meire

  5. ARC Biometry Unit, P/Bag X5013, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa

    F. Calitz

  6. Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    O. Batelaan & C. Anibas

  7. Department Geography–Geology, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    O. Batelaan

  8. Interuniversity Programme in Water Resources Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel–K.U. Leuven, Brussel, Belgium

    K. Paridaens & T. Vandenbroucke

  9. Laboratory of Hydrology and Water Management, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, Ghent, Belgium

    N. E. C. Verhoest

  10. Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, K.U. Leuven, Ch. de Beriotstraat 32, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    L. Brendonck

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  1. W. Roets
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  2. Y. Xu
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  3. L. Raitt
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  4. M. El-Kahloun
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  5. P. Meire
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  6. F. Calitz
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  7. O. Batelaan
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  8. C. Anibas
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  9. K. Paridaens
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  10. T. Vandenbroucke
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  11. N. E. C. Verhoest
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  12. L. Brendonck
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Roets.

Additional information

Handling editor: D. Hamilton

The first author did the research as part of his PhD in the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa. Funding is quoted under acknowledgements.

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Roets, W., Xu, Y., Raitt, L. et al. Determining discharges from the Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer to wetlands in the Southern Cape, South Africa. Hydrobiologia 607, 175–186 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9389-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9389-x

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