DOCTORAL PROGRAM DEGREE

PROJECT TITLE

Hydrogeological and isotopic study of the aquifer

system in fractured and altered crystalline basement
zone: case of Ngola watershed at the northern of the
city of Bangui

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 Surname：KONGANDEMBOU
First name: Maxime Lévy

PLAN OF PROJECT

I. Background and justificatives of the project.........................................................3

II. Objectives and stakes of the thesis.........................................................................3
III. Specific objects.......................................................................................................4
IV. Literature Review...................................................................................................4
V. Activities Chronogram............................................................................................4
VI. Bibliographic references........................................................................................5

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I. Background and justificatives of the project

In the Central African Republic, the uncontrolled population growth recorded over the
last three decades has led to an anarchic occupation of the urban and peri-urban space
(AJCI, 1999). The settlement of populations in these areas has been accompanied by
an exponential increase in the exploitation of water resources and to cope with
growing domestic and agricultural needs. This growth is often not accompanied by
the implementation of a potable water supply system so that surface and underground
water are the main resources of the population (Abanas., 2012).
The only accessible water is that of the superficial water table (phreatic) through
traditional wells dug at shallow depths (10 m maximum), mainly dependent on
rainfall and in most cases, it is exhausted before the return of rains, sometimes
causing long journeys for women and children leaving the house around 2h. In
addition to this problem of availability, is added the quality because these waters
consumed without any treatment are responsible for many diseases such as dysentery,
onchocerciasis or guinea worm.

II. Objectives and stakes of the thesis

The present study is a contribution to a better quantitative and qualitative knowledge

of the Ngola watershed aquifer system located at the northern of the city of Bangui,
Political Capital of Central African Republic.
Its main objective is the hydrogeological and isotopic characterization of groundwater
of the Ngola watershed. This study have tree stakes level: sociocultural, political and
scientific.

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I would like to give my contribution for a better quantitative and qualitative
knowledge of the Ngola watershed aquifer system with adapted tools which will
better orient the education and the sensitization of the populations on an approach of
the Integrated Management of the Water Resources (IMWR) participative.
The choice of this subject is justified by the fact that, water is life. Hydrogeology is a
science that is currently needed in life. It has been a favorite subject for me since my
youth and with this knowledge, to bring innovation and development influence, to
contribute to the smooth running of events and to change.

III. Specific objects

 update the hydro-rainfall data for the study area;

 characterize the physical and hydrodynamic functioning of the study area;
 identified and mapped fractures in the Ngola area constituting preferential
flow axes;
 Conduct a multi-criteria analysis for establish thematic maps of groundwater
resources by integrating factors favoring the storage and circulation of
groundwater;

IV. Literature Review

According to Djebebe-Ndjiguim. C.L, 2014, two main facies in Bangui's

groundwater: the calcium and magnesium bicarbonate facies, and the sodium chlorite
facies (NH4+).
In Bangui, according to our research, through the work done by Cornacchia and
Giorgi, 1985; Cornacchia et al., 1985; AJCI, 1999, groundwater is present in rocks of
different ages. Depending on the nature of reservoir rocks, we distinguish two main
aquifers:
 Porous superficial aquifer
 Deep fissured aquifer in basement formations

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As far as the geology of the city of Bangui is concerned, the works of Brunelle (1971)
and Sylvestre (1973) including those of AJCI, 1999 have allowed us to provide some
elements of understanding the main petrographic characteristics, structural and
stratigraphic of Bangui

V. Activities Chronogram

This work is based on a multidisciplinary approach namely hydrogeological,

geochemical, hydrological, climatological, environmental and socioeconomic. This
work will be done as follows:
September 2019 to March 2021 will be devoted to documentary and cartographic
research
January 2020 to March 2021 will be devoted to fieldwork,
June 2020 to May 2021 will be devoted to laboratory work
January 2020 to July 2021 will be devoted to writing the thesis and publications
August 2021 to October 2021 will be dedicated to the administrative process
November 2021 probable date of the defense

VI. Bibliographic references

Abanas., (2012). Influence of the conductivity on groundwater quality on the surface

water of Bangui-Ouest: piezometric study. Master's thesis on Water Quality,
University of Bangui.RCA; p39
Cornacchia M., Delay J-L., Giorgi L., (1989) .New data and state of knowledge on
Central African Hydrogeology
Djebebe-Ndjiguim. C.L, 2014. Definition of the subsoil aquifer potential of the
Bangui region (Central African Republic) using geochemical and isotopic tools.
Assistance in implementing a plan to diversify drinking water resources from
groundwater. Thesis, University of Corsica-Pascal Paoli 1, France, pp 254.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (AJCI), 1999 - Study on the development of
groundwater in the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic. Unpublished

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 report
M. Cornacchia, Giorgi L., Lachaud J.C (1985) .Hydrogeology of the Bangui region.
(RCA) .Summary coll.Geolo.Af.
P. Sylvestre, 1973 - Investigation on the limestone of Bangui-Fatima. Unpublished
report. UNDP CAF-70/511, (Incomplete document).