Sedimentation in Water Reservoirs in Arid Region

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  • 乾燥地における貯水池堆砂問題
  • カンソウチ ニ オケル チョスイチタイサ モンダイ

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Abstract

<p>Securing stable water resource is most important issue in arid region under the extension of desertification caused by the global climate change. However, the available amount of surface water resource has been gradually reducing while the constructions of the reservoirs continued from 1950s’. Low vegetation of catchment area causes the severe soil erosion by eventual rainfall and suspended solid transported by stream flow is settled in the reservoirs. This sediment accumulation in reservoirs reduces available surface water resources. Currently 97% of suitable site for dam construction in our study site, Tunisia, has already been developed or planed, so that the alternative water resource covering the lost by sedimentation cannot be expected. There is no other way than managing the existing reservoirs. However, dredging, simplest countermeasure against sedimentation in reservoirs has not been carried out because it is quite costly for Tunisia.</p><p>On the other hand, Tunisia has the problem of groundwater contamination with fluoride. Adequate concentration of fluoride gives reduction of tooth decay, but the higher concentration than 2 ppm causes dental and skeletal fluorosis. Some towns and villages e.g. vicinities of Kairouan, Beja, Gabes are suffering from this water-related disease. The author and the colleagues writing the following papers study about the management of sedimentation in reservoirs and processing clayey sediment to functional ceramics for water treatment including economical point of view. Lives of the reservoirs are extended by the excavation of the sediment. Create the new industry based on the use of waste (sediment) from surface water resource. New environmental material contributes improvement of quality of drinking water for villagers. The area suffering from fluoride contamination is not only in Tunisia, spreading all over the world. The expected products will also contribute improvement of other African countries under such water quality situation.</p>

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