| dc.description.abstract | Geothermal energy has been discovered in various parts of the Rift Valley like Olkaria in Naivasha where geothermal wells have been sunk. The purpose of this project is to use GIS and Remote Sensing techniques to investigate the potential for geothermal energy in Lake Magadi area which lies within the Rift Valley. This project aimed at producing a digital map of Lake Magadi showing the potential sites for exploration. These sites were then to classified according to their geothermal potential - high and medium potential sites. Assessment of pre- exploration values of environmentally sensitive parameters such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and methane gases was done.
This project was accomplished using satellite images taken in the year 2000 by LandSat- 7 Thematic Mapper. The name, LandSat, means Earth and Satellite. Since 1972, LandSat satellites have collected information about the earth from space. LandSat satellites have taken specialized digital photographs of earth's continents and surrounding coastal regions for over three decades, enabling people to study many aspects of our planet and to evaluate the dynamic changes caused by both natural and human practices.
In addition, several locations of hot springs within the Lake Magadi were identified using a GPS receiver and their UTM coordinates recorded. Temperatures of these hot springs were recorded using a thermometer in degrees Celsius. Microsoft excel software was then used to prepare data (latitude, longitude and temperature) collected in the field into excel sheets.
ArcGIS 9.3 software was used to import the cropped area for analysis. Online digitization was carried out with the main aim of producing a digital map of Lake Magadi hence eliminating the other areas of no interest. Data from excel sheets was imported into the digital map in order to plot the various sites with potential for geothermal energy. Different colours in the legend were used to show sites with different potential.
Environmentally sensitive parameters such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and methane encountered within this environment were also considered during the study. These gases were sampled and geochemical analysis carried out. In Lake Magadi, hydrogen sulphide gas was identified within some hot springs and was sampled for geochemical analysis too. In conclusion, Lake Magadi has potential for geothermal energy though further research is necessary not withstanding band 6 - Thermal - infrared, 10.40 - 12.50 urn, which can be useful in locating geothermal activity. | en_US |
