Rebecca Alowo, Daphine Achiro, Innocent Musonda, Agneta Were, Adetayo Onososen, Funeka Grootboom

Abstract: This article presents a three-year investigation of moisture content conducted at the Duvha Ash Dam Facility to pinpoint areas exhibiting rising moisture content values through satellite technology. An elevation in moisture content levels may signify inadequate drainage. A historical study aids in pinpointing areas that have seen elevated moisture levels, which may be corroborated with historical data pertaining to the state of the ash dam plant. The researchers employed Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) to measure soil moisture. The SMAP mission is an orbital observatory that quantifies the water content in the surface soil globally. Soil moisture is a crucial metric for meteorological forecasting, assessing drainage failures, and predicting droughts and floods. The researchers employed SMAP radiometers to quantify radiation data for the calculation of water content. The results indicated that the soil moisture at the ash dam facility is 0.09 cm³/cm³. Furthermore, soil moisture peaks throughout the summer months near the ash dam site. Soil moisture is diminished throughout the cold months. Monitoring soil moisture throughout the hot months is essential. In conclusion, SMAP possesses the capability to efficiently cover extensive spatial regions at minimal expense, facilitates regular temporal measurements, and offers substantial historical data archives for conducting retrospective analyses. Nonetheless, this technology has not yet been embraced by the South African business.

Keywords: Moisture Content, SMAP, Ash Dam Facility, South Africa

Date Published: October 1, 2025
DOI: 10.11159/ijci.2025.014

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