Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) in a Semi-Arid Basin through Remote Sensing, GIS, and AHP Approaches

Abstract

Groundwater occurrence in semi-arid regions is variable in space and time due to climate patterns, terrain features, and aquifer properties. Thus, accurate delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) is essential for sustainable water resources management in these environments. The present research aims to delineate and assess GWPZs in a semi-arid basin of San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico, through the integration of Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Seven thematic layers (geology, lineament density, land use and land cover, topographic wetness index (TWI), rainfall, drainage density, and slope) were generated in raster format. After the AHP procedure and rank assignment, the thematic layers were integrated using the raster calculator to obtain the GWPZs map. The results indicated that 68.21% of the area is classified as low groundwater potential, whereas 26.30% is classified as moderate. Validation was done by assessing the water residence time data from 15 wells distributed in the study area. Furthermore, the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was obtained, indicating a satisfactory accuracy prediction (AUC = 0.677). This study provides valuable information for decision-makers regarding the conservation and sustainable management of groundwater resources.