High resolution geophysical and geospatial mapping of quaternary sediments for exploration and assessment of groundwater in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Integrated groundwater exploration studies and its evaluation were carried out deploying geology, hydrogeology, borehole lithology, hydrogeomorphology and high-resolution geophysics for mapping the subsurface horizon and delineate the potential groundwater zones in alluvium region, Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh India. Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey was conducted at seven sites located in alluvium formation for understanding the subsurface geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the rock strata. We achieved significant results from the resistivity tomography models and based on the hydrogeological interpretation, it revealed the presence of groundwater potential zones at various depths mainly lying between 30 and 160 m depths with the characteristics resistivity of the aquifer is < 60 Ohm. m. Nevertheless, the interpretation of 2D resistivity models also explained and inferred that the availability of groundwater potential zone at a deeper depth, which confirmed the hydrogeological field measurements. The availability of groundwater at shallow depths <50 m is a meagre and thus the deeper aquifer should be exploited for the long term sustainability of groundwater resources. This is supported by the geospatial analysis from the results of the aquifer resistivity achieved from electrical resistivity tomography and its correlation with depths, which clearly depicted that the deeper aquifer is more productive as compared to the shallower one. Overall, the evolution of groundwater potential zonation map of the area and surroundings; clearly highlights the variation in the degree of groundwater potential zones based on the integrated analysis of the various thematic maps of the study area, which is used for the judicious planning and development of the groundwater resources in near future.