College of Natural and Computational Sciences
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Item GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF AGULAE CHINFERS RIVER CATCHEMNT, NORTHEN ETHIOPIA(Mekelle University, 0011-10-25) Hadush weldemichaealThe general objective of the research is to study the hydrogeological system of the Agula-Chinferes catchment by giving particular emphasis to groundwater potential assessment, and recharge-discharge conditions. The Agulae_Chinfers river catchment is found in the Tigray National Regional state, Northern Ethiopia, which is about 783km from Addis Ababa on the way between Mekelle and Wukro in the western part of Giba Basin. It has a total area of 697 km2 with altitude ranging from 1769 m to 2853 m above mean sea level. The area is covered by alluvial deposit, dolerite rocks, limestone-shale-marl intercalation, limestone, adigrat sandstone, enticho sandstone and meta -volcanic. These rocks mainly meta- volcanic and adigrat sandstone in composition are emplaced along an NW-SE tectonic lineament. Different approaches are used to estimate the groundwater recharge, characterize the aquifer and assess the hydro geochemistry of the catchment. Soil moisture balance, and surface water balance approaches are used to estimate recharge. Annual precipitatrion by estimated arithmetic mean is 632mm/year, by Theissen polygon 626.3mm/year,by Ishyetal method 630.84mm/year,potential evapotranspiration by Penman method 815.97mm/year, potential evapotranspiration by Thornwaite method 817.41mm/year, average by two methods 816.7mm/year and the actual evapotranspiration by Turc method 339.14mm/year, Thornthwaite and Mather standard soil water balance model 458.5mm/year The results of estimated annual direct groundwater recharge in the catchment shows that the recharge estimated by soil moisture balance 54.7mm/year .the recharge estimated by water balance 45.34mm/year,average from two methods 50.02mm/year ( 8% of the precipitation in the watershed) .So, the recharge estimated by soil moisture balance is higher than the values estimated by water balance method. The groundwater potential and surface water (drainage pattern) and the discharge recharge is controlled by the topography, the geology, and structure. In the limestone, limestone-shale-marle intercaltion and sandstone rocks, which are the major aquifers in the area the hydraulic parameter varies with the fracture distribution. The structures that control the recharge discharge condition and areas of groundwater potential are associated with the regional tectonic structures of the faults. The source and alignment of springs is also associated with the joints, fractured and hill said. Geology, land use and land cover, soil types, dreaning density, linamant density, rainfall and slope are used to show groundwater potentioal zones and groundwater flow system, recharge discharge conditions. The analysis result of the above parameters overlaps with the hydrogeology which indicates that the south -eastern, eastern and northwestern part of the area is the potential zone for ground water exploitation. Piper plots are used to classify the water chemistry. There is variation in water type from low TDS Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 through intermediate type Ca-Na-HCO3 to high TDS Na-HCO3 type. There is no strong variation in PH of the waters as such and the low TDS, low alkalinity, waters have similar near neutral PH with the high TDS, high alkalinity water, reflecting the existence of chemical reaction that affect the hydrogen ion.PH of the study area(6.56-7.95),groundwater of the study area based on total dissolved solids (by WHO standard) fresh water (238-1000mg/l) and brackish water (1000-1469.6mg/l) so, the groundwater of the area has Total Dissolved Solids ranging from less than 615.41 mg/l in the high lands (recharge area) and sandstone geological formation to about 1469.6mg/l in low lands especially in areas of limestone intercalation with shale-marl geological formation. The total Hardens of the study area range from 85.2 to 947 (mg/l). so, by the classification of water (Jasrotia & Kumar, 2014) from medium hard to very hard (in areas of limestone intercalation with shale-marl geological formation .Item UNDERSTANDING GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN RELATION TO THE SUNSPOT NUMBER DURING SOLAR CYCLE 24 AND 25(Mekelle University, 1994-12-28) Tesfaye AyalewGeomagnetic storms, caused by disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere due to solar activity, are significant drivers of space weather and have profound effects on technological systems and infrastructure. This study investigates the relationship between geomagnetic storms and sunspot numbers, a primary indicator of solar activity, during solar cycles 24 and 25. Solar cycle 24, marked by historically low sunspot numbers and subdued solar activity, contrasts with solar cycle 25, which is projected to exhibit increased solar intensity. The research employs a multi-faceted approach, analyzing data from solar wind parameters, interplanetary magnetic fields, and geomagnetic indices such as Dst and Kp. Through statistical analysis and correlation studies, it examines the influence of sunspot number variations on the frequency, intensity, and duration of geomagnetic storms. Additionally, the study explores the distinct characteristics of geomagnetic activity during these two solar cycles, identifying key patterns and trends. By establishing a clearer understanding of the connection between sunspot numbers and geomagnetic storms, this research contributes to the development of more accurate predictive models for space weather events. These findings hold significant implications for improving preparedness and mitigation strategies to safeguard satellite operations, communication systems, and power grid stability against space weather impacts.Item Role of Small-Scale Irrigation on improving Food Security of Households A case study of two peasant Association Tabia Maytuem and Betyehannes in Adwa district, Tigray Regional state(Mekelle Univeristy, 2013-09-28) Yemane TesfayFood insecurity in the world has been addressed as one of the biggest problems for over several decades due to the result of high population. Ethiopia’s agriculture is dominated by small-scale rain-fed production and irregular rainfall pattern. Small-scale irrigation is believed in helping to address this problem thereby reducing rural poverty, food insecurity as well as improving the overall contribution of agriculture to the national economy. The main objective of this study was to investigate role of small scale irrigation user’s on improving food security of households in Adwa Rural District (Tabia Maytuem and Betyehannes). Data was collected from 195 household, 80 irrigation users and 80 non-users, 24 for group discussion, 6 key informative and 5 agricultural experts. Two Tabia was stratified into two strata and random sampling technique was employed to select the sample respondents. According to the findings, small-scale irrigation were very important to increase their yields, income, to keep their health, teach their children, and help their economy gained by rain-fed. The households are interested in getting advice of agricultural experts in order to do highly in irrigation. When compared household’s food security improvement who practice irrigation and non-irrigated lands, there was a great difference of diet diversity between the two groups. Irrigators gain alternative and fresh food than non-irrigators; as a result, irrigators’ health was better than non-irrigators because non-irrigators’ can be affected by deficiency diseases. The researcher obtained different factors that influence small scale irrigation schemes on the improvement of food security like, incomplete infra-structure, shortage of water, fertilizer, medicine, link to marketing, genetically modified crops, vegetables, legumes, fruits, rules of water financing committee, drought, awareness, advise, work-shops, sharing experiences and commitment. Finally, it was recommended that governmental and non-governmental organization should expand access of small- scale irrigation by farm households to improve their food security.