Abstract
In order to increase the sustainability of the wells and arrest the declining groundwater level trends in Amaravathi aquifer system, southern India, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) approach was attempted to identify favourable regions for construction of artificial recharge structures. GIS overlay analysis was carried out wherein 8 layers viz. geology, geomorphology, slope, soil, land use, post monsoon water level, weathering depth and waterbodies/drainage were integrated. Survey of India toposheet, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IC data and ASTER data were used to develop the various thematic maps. These maps were later transferred to raster data. Groundwater level from the monitoring stations and weathering thickness data from the 248 deep wells constructed were used for the integration. Four zone namely very high, high, moderate and very poor have been demarcated. About 45% of the study area was categorised as high to very highly feasible zone. The existing artificial recharge structures in the region were also plotted and proposed artificial recharge structures were calculated. About 166 masonry check dam, 155 nala bunds, 575 recharge shafts (within tanks), 716 percolation ponds (repair, renovation and restoration) have been calculated and implementation of the proposed structures would create an additional water resource of 198 million m3 annually.
Highlights
India is the biggest user of groundwater in the world
The aim of the study is to demarcate the groundwater recharge zones for better management of the aquifer system located in Tamil Nadu state, South India, where the dependency on groundwater has significantly increased in recent years
The present study was carried out in Amaravathi aquifer system covering an area of 12,285 km2, wherein 8 layers viz. geology, slope, soil, geomorphology, land use/land cover, drainage & water bodies, weathered zone and depth to groundwater level were integrated in spatial domain of geographic information system (GIS)
Summary
India is the biggest user of groundwater in the world. Groundwater caters to more than 60% for agricultural activities and more than 85% for drinking water [1]. The aim of the study is to demarcate the groundwater recharge zones for better management of the aquifer system located in Tamil Nadu state, South India, where the dependency on groundwater has significantly increased in recent years. This relentless groundwater withdrawal for various sectors (irrigation, domestic and Senthilkumar et al Sustainable Environment Research (2019) 29:15 monsoon water levels and depth of weathering has not been attempted by researchers. This integrated approach can identify favourable sites for artificial recharge within the aquifer system. The present study was carried out in Amaravathi aquifer system covering an area of 12,285 km, wherein 8 layers viz. geology, slope, soil, geomorphology, land use/land cover, drainage & water bodies, weathered zone and depth to groundwater level (post monsoon period) were integrated in spatial domain of GIS
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