Program: Collaborative Research Program for Alumni (CRA)
Field: Geological and Geo-Resource Engineering
Principal Investigator: Dr. Keophousone Phonhalath
Sending University: National University of Laos (NUOL)
Japanese Co-Investigator: Prof. Dr. Toshifumi IGARASHI
Japanese University: Hokkaido University
Year: 2014
Abstract:
Groundwater is an extremely important resource across many parts of the country, especially where surface water is of limited supply or poor quality. AS In Khied Ngong village, the groundwater is also used by natural ecosystems. In many parts of Pathoumphone District, native flora relies solely on groundwater for their survival. Groundwater also contributes water directly to rivers and lakes as base flow, often maintaining surface water bodies in times of drought.
The objectives of this research are to analyze the groundwater flow system of the study area and depth of groundwater table which has high Arsenic concentration.
The results could found that the Hydrogeological condition is basalt lava flows, sand and sandstone constitute the most productive aquifers in the study area and are found at depth of less than 25 meters. Groundwater is contained within intergranular space and fissured of these formations. In other hand the Aquifer Systems could be found as an unconfined aquifer or shallow aquifer is found in the study area. It can be readily replenish by precipitation, furthermore increasing groundwater abstraction in the study area for both agriculture and domestic use, which would lead to a greater drop in water table height. Additionally, the lithological reports and the results of the pump test revealed that the areas closer to the mountains such as village zone C had a yielded very little groundwater. Thus the Groundwater Flow Systems: due to groundwater flow dynamic of aquifer systems, the trend of the groundwater flow behavior in the study area periods September 2014 to May 2015 are directed and dried up toward in the north to the south of the village in the range of 0.4 to 15.6 m depth to groundwater or 0.6 “ 10 m drawdown testing. According to, the results of monitoring and analysis of groundwater quality in this village t in February 2015, the water quality in Khiet Ngong village has remained problem by high Arsenic concentration in some area of about 0.09 mg/L which is compared national standard of 0.05 mg/L (DHH 2015). Thus it can be concluded that the arsenic in ground water may be from clay soil layer and due to the pumping of water, and it open to air, the water became oxidation condition, thus the arsenic concentration became higher than standard. Having this kind of program strengthens the linkage between institution institutions and institution local government that results into talent mobility for both universities and Government. Through the experience gained, partnerships acquired could lead to positive collaboration of ideas for potential projects to solve pressing national challenges and issues. The experience gained has enriched the collaboration program is to support the researcher to gain more experiences, and this kind of supporting has advantage to give the lectures to students by using research data results. Thus, according to research result, this research will be useful for Champasack province office, because they would like to do water supply from groundwater in Kietngong Village. Thus the result of Arsenic concentration in groundwater is the result that they required us to share with them. Thus, the development of well water of this area need more research to support them for water usage in their village (villagers).