Delineating potential sites for artificial groundwater recharge using a mathematical approach to remote sensing and GIS techniques

Majed Ibrahim,Amjed Shatnawi

doi:10.2166/ws.2022.046

Abstract

Abstract The management of available groundwater resources is vital in arid and semi-arid regions. Artificial recharging should be integrated with groundwater resources to maintain long-term water sustainability. This study applied the cost-effective and time-saving techniques of remote sensing and GIS to delineate the groundwater recharge potential in the Al-Sarhan Basin, located in arid and semiarid regions of Jordan, by following the weighted linear combination method. The results revealed three distinct groundwater potential recharge zones (low, moderate, and high potential zones). High to moderate groundwater recharge potential zones occupied 75% of the Al-Sarhan area with considerable artificial recharge capacity because of the suitable geology, soil texture, drainage density, and flat terrain conditions. The maps produced also depicted that 25% of the Al-Sarhan area possesses low groundwater recharging potential. The model further revealed that 93% of the wells in the study area were located in potential groundwater recharge zones.

Highlights

After glaciers and ice caps, groundwater is the largest source of fresh water on Earth accounting for nearly 30% of the global freshwater supply (Shiklomanov 1993; Senanayake et al 2016)
The map depicts that 25% of the Al-Sarhan area consists of zones with low groundwater recharging potential, whereas 48% of the area possesses the moderate potential of artificial recharging
The observation that the southern part of the study area has a high recharging potential might be due to the existence of fluvial sandstone, high infiltration rates triggered by lineaments, and a high drainage density

Summary

Introduction

After glaciers and ice caps, groundwater is the largest source of fresh water on Earth accounting for nearly 30% of the global freshwater supply (Shiklomanov 1993; Senanayake et al 2016). Groundwater levels are naturally dynamic and depend on the bidirectional flow between surface water and groundwater Environmental factors such as precipitation rate, evaporation rate, and soil characteristics significantly affect the flow and the availability of freshwater. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater (over-pumping) sharply reduces the groundwater levels as compared to replenishing from the surface. This situation degrades the water quality and depletes water levels in aquifers and surrounding water bodies leading to increased drilling and groundwater pumping costs, especially in arid and semiarid areas (Sophocleous 2002; Wada et al 2010; Senanayake et al 2016)

Methods

Results

Conclusion