Abstract
In this study, an integrated approach was implemented using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing technique for locating promising areas for groundwater exploration. This method is based evaluating a set of hydrological, geological and topographical parameters that influence the natural occurrence of groundwater. As a result, a ground water potential map (GPM) was generated by modeling these parameters. Groundwater potential map results were classified into three classes that describe the potentiality of each cell in the study area for groundwater exploration. These classes are; high, moderate and low groundwater potential area. It was found that about 7% of the study was classified as high potential areas which were found to be concentrated in the western part of the study area. About 79% of the study was classified as moderate potential for groundwater exploration. The rest of the study area (14%) was classified as low potential areas and concentrated in northeast and southeast part of the study area. These results were verified against existing well data and field observations. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to study the effect of each parameter on the overall groundwater map using the effective weight and variation index. It was found that the slope parameter was the most effective among the five used parameters in the model.
Highlights
Jordan is one of the most water scarce countries in the world
ground water potential map (GPM) model results were reclassified to three classes; high, moderate and low groundwater potential area
GPM map were compared and validated by existing discharge data obtained from different production wells spread in the study area
Summary
Jordan is one of the most water scarce countries in the world. Jordan is classified among a few countries of the world with limited water resources and it is one of the lowest on a per capita basis. Agriculture in the highlands depends mainly on the limited groundwater resources which have been subjected to heavy abstraction and withdrawal in the last three decades. This has resulted in lowering the water table and deteriorating the water quality. The projected deficit in 2022 is estimated around 30% assuming that additional sources of water are available [2]. The increase in water demand was observed as the population growth tended to continue. Water shortage is expected to increase from 204 MCM in the year 2000 to reach 408 MCM in the year 2020 [3]
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