Hydrogeological simulation of head changes of a south Benin artesian aquifer

Artesian basins include groundwater that may rise above the land surface with free-flow conditions which make it possible to exploit without pumping. The change non-artesian have large implications for local people using artesian wells drinking and other purposes. We applied a 3D physically based model assess future head developments in Turonian-Coniacian (T.C.) aquifer of southern Benin under different outflows climate scenarios. A sensitivity analysis hydraulic storage properties subsurface layers was performed determine importance each property. Results revealed are structured into peripheral central zones behaving differently external stresses. Head amplitudes adjacent recharge higher decrease towards due influence confined aquifer's diffusivity leakance confining layer. Based on regional (RACMO) better reproduces historical rainfall study area, lower is predicted period until 2030 will lead drops by 1 m at zone. However, such likely recover during 2030–2050 predicted. If current double 2050 this would cause heads reduce only few centimeters both periphery Among all properties, conductivity T.C. most influencing simulated across zone its specific as least one.