Engineering and Applied Science Research (Nov 2022)
An integrated approach for aquifer characterization and groundwater productivity evaluation in the Vientiane Basin, Lao PDR
Abstract
The Vientiane Basin is at the center of the social-economiczone of Lao PDR so there isa high water demand which was estimated at householder consumption of about 100 liters/day/person. There are initiatives to enforce regulations for groundwater management but thedata has insufficient. Hydrogeological characterization is one of theindicators and basic data to groundwater productivity evaluation. This study develops a pilot hydrogeological characterization in the Vientiane Basin followed by aGuide and a Standard Legendof theInternational Association of Hydrogeologists and methods of Thailand with integrated data on geology and hydrogeology from several sources by using the GeographicInformation System tool for the creation of hydrogeological characterization maps and applies hydrogeology units of Thailand. The most significant features are discovered in the Xaysomboun formation (K2xb or K2sb)and some areas indicate brackish and saline groundwater. Similarly, the Thangon formation (K2tn) includes three-layers such asK2tn1, K2tn2, and K2tn3ofwhich K2tn1 is salty water. K2tnhas some parts in the center of the Xaythany and Hadxayfong Districtwhere thereis high groundwater salinity (TDS >1,500 mg/l) at shallow depths with low groundwater potential of about less than 2 m3/hr. Chathaboury and Hadxayfong Districts are near the Mekong River and there is a higher groundwater potential of >20 m3/hr and TDS 20 m3/hr andis also one of the importantfreshwatersresourcesin theVientiane Basin.
