River flow in the Songwe sub-basin is predicted to alter due to climate change, which would have an impact on aquatic habitats, infrastructure, and people’s way of life. Therefore, the influence of climate change sho...River flow in the Songwe sub-basin is predicted to alter due to climate change, which would have an impact on aquatic habitats, infrastructure, and people’s way of life. Therefore, the influence of climate change should be taken into account when making decisions about the sustainable management of water resources in the sub-basin. This study looked into how river discharge would react to climate change in the future. By contrasting hydrological characteristics simulated under historical climate (1981-2010) with projected climate (2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100) under two emission scenarios, the effects of climate change on river flow were evaluated (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The ensemble average of four CORDEX regional climate models was built to address the issue of uncertainty introduced by the climate models. The SWAT model was force-calibrated using the results from the generated ensemble average for the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios in order to mimic the river flow during past (1981-2010) and future (2011-2100) events. The increase in river flows for the Songwe sub-basin is predicted to be largest during the rainy season by both the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Under RCP 8.5, the abrupt decrease in river flow is anticipated to reach its maximum in March 2037, when the discharge will be 44.84 m<sup>3</sup>/sec, and in March 2027, when the discharge will be 48 m<sup>3</sup>/sec. The extreme surge in river flow will peak, according to the RCA4, in February 2023, in April 2083 under RCP 4.5, and, according to the CCLM4 and RCA4, in November 2027 and November 2046, respectively. The expected decrease and increase in river flow throughout both the dry and wet seasons may have an impact on the management of the sub-water basin’s resources, biodiversity, and hydraulic structures. The right adaptations and mitigation strategies should be adopted in order to lessen the negative consequences of climate change on precipitation, temperature, and river flow in the sub-basin.展开更多
Slope stability assessment is an essential aspect of mining and civil engineering<span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In this study, Song...Slope stability assessment is an essential aspect of mining and civil engineering<span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In this study, Songwe open-pit mine in Malawi was investigated to establish possible pit slope instability. In performing the analysis, an integrated approach entailing rock mass characterisation, kinematic and numerical methods were applied. Based on rock mass classification system, Songwe Hill carbonatite rock mass is characterised as a good rock but still it possesses numerous random discontinuities that present a complex challenge in geotechnical engineering. Dip 6.0 software was used in carrying out kinematic analysis based on the attributes of discontinuities. The results show that there is a 16% likelihood of planar failure in the divided slope sections of the planned pit. Thus, slope angle optimisation to 41<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span> has been proposed as a counter-measure to minimise the potential risk of planar failure. At the optimised angle, the risk of planar failure could be reduced by 44%. On the other hand, wedge failure was found to be improbable since no joint intersections were found in the critical zone of potential failure. For numerical analysis, finite element code was applied using FLAC</span><sup><span style="font-size:12px;font-family:Verdana;">3D</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 5.0 application. The results demonstrate that </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">overall slope angle of 41<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span> would offer a favourable balance between safety and mining economics as mining operations progress to deeper horizons thereby avoiding a </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">costly push back solution due to instability.</span>展开更多
文摘River flow in the Songwe sub-basin is predicted to alter due to climate change, which would have an impact on aquatic habitats, infrastructure, and people’s way of life. Therefore, the influence of climate change should be taken into account when making decisions about the sustainable management of water resources in the sub-basin. This study looked into how river discharge would react to climate change in the future. By contrasting hydrological characteristics simulated under historical climate (1981-2010) with projected climate (2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100) under two emission scenarios, the effects of climate change on river flow were evaluated (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The ensemble average of four CORDEX regional climate models was built to address the issue of uncertainty introduced by the climate models. The SWAT model was force-calibrated using the results from the generated ensemble average for the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios in order to mimic the river flow during past (1981-2010) and future (2011-2100) events. The increase in river flows for the Songwe sub-basin is predicted to be largest during the rainy season by both the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Under RCP 8.5, the abrupt decrease in river flow is anticipated to reach its maximum in March 2037, when the discharge will be 44.84 m<sup>3</sup>/sec, and in March 2027, when the discharge will be 48 m<sup>3</sup>/sec. The extreme surge in river flow will peak, according to the RCA4, in February 2023, in April 2083 under RCP 4.5, and, according to the CCLM4 and RCA4, in November 2027 and November 2046, respectively. The expected decrease and increase in river flow throughout both the dry and wet seasons may have an impact on the management of the sub-water basin’s resources, biodiversity, and hydraulic structures. The right adaptations and mitigation strategies should be adopted in order to lessen the negative consequences of climate change on precipitation, temperature, and river flow in the sub-basin.
文摘Slope stability assessment is an essential aspect of mining and civil engineering<span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In this study, Songwe open-pit mine in Malawi was investigated to establish possible pit slope instability. In performing the analysis, an integrated approach entailing rock mass characterisation, kinematic and numerical methods were applied. Based on rock mass classification system, Songwe Hill carbonatite rock mass is characterised as a good rock but still it possesses numerous random discontinuities that present a complex challenge in geotechnical engineering. Dip 6.0 software was used in carrying out kinematic analysis based on the attributes of discontinuities. The results show that there is a 16% likelihood of planar failure in the divided slope sections of the planned pit. Thus, slope angle optimisation to 41<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span> has been proposed as a counter-measure to minimise the potential risk of planar failure. At the optimised angle, the risk of planar failure could be reduced by 44%. On the other hand, wedge failure was found to be improbable since no joint intersections were found in the critical zone of potential failure. For numerical analysis, finite element code was applied using FLAC</span><sup><span style="font-size:12px;font-family:Verdana;">3D</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 5.0 application. The results demonstrate that </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">overall slope angle of 41<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span> would offer a favourable balance between safety and mining economics as mining operations progress to deeper horizons thereby avoiding a </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">costly push back solution due to instability.</span>
