Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process based GIS modelling for groundwater prospective zones in Prayagraj, India

Abstract

This paper develops a model to delineate groundwater potential zones by integrating tools of remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS) and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to achieve multi-attribute decision making choice among various thematic layers which affect the groundwater resources such as geology, geomorphology, lineament density, slope, soil, rainfall, drainage density, land use/land cover, normalized difference vegetation index and elevation in the region of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Using Saaty's scale, suitable weights are allotted to the physical properties and their significant features according to their relative importance in groundwater occurrence. The allotted weights of the thematic layers and their significant features were then normalized by using FAHP. Finally, the estimated ten thematic maps from satellite images and conventional data are combined in a GIS platform to yield a groundwater potential zones map. Thus, seven groundwater potential zones are identified and demarcated in the study area as: excellent, very strong to excellent, strong to very strong, moderate to strong, moderate, equal to moderate and equal. The groundwater potential zones map is finally justified using the well annual discharge data and the result is found tolerable. This study clearly provides groundwater potential zones and offers future planning, managing and forecasting of groundwater resources in the study area. Information from remote sensing analysis also reduces the expenditure, time and risk to human life during the groundwater related research work.