Delineation Of Groundwater Potential Zones Research Articles

Multi-criteria decision-making techniques for groundwater potentiality mapping in arid regions: A case study of Wadi Yiba, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Freshwater demand is further stressed due to the impacts of climate change and the rapid expansion of the population, particularly in dry and extremely dry regions where groundwater serves as a crucial water source. This study employed various multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques to identify areas with potential for groundwater in Wadi Yiba, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 14 parameters, including Geology, land use and land cover (LULC), Drainage Density (DD), Lineament density (LD), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), rainfall, and others, were selected to create thematic layers for the delineation of groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). Using three MCDM techniques, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacijaik Ompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), and Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) methods, maps were generated to indicate the GWPZ in the study area. These maps were categorized into five categories: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Results indicate that the GWPZ assessed by TOPSIS in Wadi Yiba categorizes 3% of the area as having very low groundwater potential, 9% as low, 29% as medium, 36% as high, and 23% as very high. In contrast, VIKOR classified the study region as 7%, 20%, 18%, 28%, and 26% for the five classes; while the EDAS study reveals a more balanced distribution, with 5.81%, 24.80%, 33.74%, 22.32%, and 13.33% for the five classes. We evaluated the accuracy of the final maps using the receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) evaluation method. TOPSIS exhibited the highest accuracy (0.703), closely followed by VIKOR (0.701) and EDAS (0.557). TOPSIS and VIKOR were rated "excellent," while EDAS as "good". The findings are crucial for sustainable groundwater management in Wadi Yiba and underscore the importance of selecting appropriate methods in environmental modeling.

Delineation of groundwater potential zones in Shahzad watershed, India, using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Delineation of groundwater potential zones in Shahzad watershed, India, using remote sensing and GIS techniques

MIF and AHP methods for delineation of groundwater potential zones using remote sensing and GIS techniques in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi District, India

Abstract The present study aims to identify whether the delineation of potential groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) is essential for monitoring surface and conserving underground water resources. This study analysed the morphology of earth surface characteristics such as geomorphology, lineament density, lithology, slope, soil types, land use and land cover, drainage density, land surface temperature, normalized difference vegetation index, rainfall, and topographic wetness index parameters to delineate the potential groundwater zones. This article applies the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-influence factor (MIF) methods to identify potential groundwater zones in the Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu, India. In the AHP method, individual parameter's geometric mean and normalized weights were determined using the pair-wise matrix analytical method. Remote sensing-geographic information system (RS-GIS) techniques were used to generate thematic map layers from normalized weights to delineate GWPZs. The GWPZs were classified as Very Low, Low, Medium, High, and Very High. The result shows that the GWPZs were identified as 3.57, 0.55, 6.62, 58.09, and 31.21% in the study area for the five classes, respectively. In this study, the thematic maps were also prepared by assigning fixed scores and weights from the MIF approach. In the MIF approach, GWPZs were classified into five classes and identified as 3.16, 0.33, 2.14, 61.21, and 33.16% in the study area, respectively. GWPZ maps were evaluated for both MIF and AHP techniques using the Kappa statistics method with agreement values of 0.77 and 0.72%, respectively. This study's GIS-RS method is more proficient and efficient in delineating the GWPZs.

Integrating remote sensing, GIS-based, and AHP techniques to delineate groundwater potential zones in the Moulouya Basin, North-East Morocco

Groundwater is a valuable shared resource in the Moulouya Basin, but it has been in decline due to recent years of low rainfall and rapid population growth. To support socio-economic development, there is increased demand for this precious resource. This paper presents a standard methodology for delimiting potential groundwater zones using geographic information systems (GIS), an integrated analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and remote sensing techniques. Seven parameters that monitor the presence and mobility of groundwater, including drainage density, lithology, slope, precipitation, land use/land cover, distance to river, and lineament density, were incorporated into a raster data model using ArcGIS software. AHP-based expert knowledge was used to prepare a groundwater potential index and assign weights to the thematic layers. The study classified the area into five zones of varying groundwater potential: very high (26%), high (51%), moderate (13%), poor (9%), and very poor (1%). The accuracy of the model was validated by comparing the Groundwater Potential Zones map with data from 96 wells and boreholes across the basin. The validity of the results was confirmed by comparing them with the specific yield of the aquifer in the study area, yielding a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.79. The analysis revealed that 89.5% of the boreholes were situated in the high and very high potential zones, demonstrating the reliability and robustness of the employed approach. These findings can aid decision-making and planning for sustainable groundwater use in the water-stressed region.

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones Using Remote Sensing and Gis Techniques of Phewa Watershed (Nepal)

Groundwater is the primary source of water in the study region, both for domestic and agricultural needs. The main objective of this research is to identify the groundwater potential zones via remote sensing (RS) and Geographic information system (GIS), which is essential in evaluating, preserving, and monitoring various groundwater-related development programs. Man-made pressures include over-exploitation of groundwater and climate changes have led to a strain on groundwater resources. As the use of consumable water increases for human consumption, agriculture, industrial growth, municipal, and pharmaceutical needs to evaluate the groundwater potential and aquifer productivity also increase. Groundwater inspections have been historically done by field survey method, which is inefficient or not practical in terms of time and resources. Arc GIS software is utilized to manipulate datasets. The LULC map of the study area will be developed using Landsat 8 satellite data. A soil map and rainfall map will be created using the data sources from USGS, a Parent soil map will creates using the data from NARC and slope map, lineament density and drainage density from ASTER from earth data. Seven thematic maps will be applied, each with appropriate weight and rank assigned based on its characteristics and connection with groundwater. All the thematic layers combine into a GIS domain, and weight values are put to the attribute table for each polygon. The groundwater potential zone map will be classified into different zones, i.e., very poor, poor, moderate, good, and very good. These results will help hydrogeologists, decision-makers, planners, and local authorities formulate better groundwater resource planning in the Phewa watershed area.

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones for Sustainable Development and Planning using AHP and GIS Techniques in the Coal Mining Province of Mahan River Catchment Area

The present research aims to address the drinking water crisis in the Mahan River catchment area resulting from the disruption of groundwater availability due to extensive coal mining. The study uses GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to map the groundwater potential of the area by analysing several factors that affect groundwater availability, including rainfall, water depth, geomorphology, geology, soil, land-cover/land-use, and topographic characteristics derived from DEM. The groundwater potential map created using the MCDA technique classified the area into low, moderate, and high groundwater potential zones. The map was validated and verified using water table depth and electrical conductivity values available in the region, indicating that it can be used to identify groundwater recharging sites. The study’s results show that about 30% of the area has high groundwater potential, and more than 45% of the area has moderate groundwater potential. The information derived from the study can be used for sustainable management and proper planning of groundwater resources in the Mahan River catchment area. Overall, the study presents a useful approach to address the groundwater depletion problem resulting from coal mining activities in the Mahan River catchment area.

Integration of geological and geophysical data for delineating groundwater potential zones at highly faulted area: a case study Cairo-Suez district, Egypt

Integration of geological and geophysical data for delineating groundwater potential zones at highly faulted area: a case study Cairo-Suez district, Egypt

Geospatial technique for the delineation of groundwater potential zones using multi-criteria-based AHP and MIF methods

ABSTRACT In the recent past, the growing climate change and transformation of the green cover into urban areas have posed a threat to natural water supply, which will have a direct impact on water demand for emerging cities such as Nava Raipur. As a result, the increasing demand coupled with the reduced availability of surface water prompts scientific investigation into groundwater availability and its sustainable management as an alternative. The study attempted to determine groundwater potential zones using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-influencing factor (MIF) techniques. Twelve contextually significant regulating environmental factors were selected, and their significance and influences on decision-making approaches models have been attempted to determine through the sensitivity analysis. The final GWPZ map obtained, from a combination of thematic layers, was verified using the receiver operating curve (ROC) and the area under curve (AUC) with discharge (yield) records taken from 21 bore wells. According to the ROC curve's AUC estimation, MIF can explain 82.9% of the actual groundwater situation in the region, and for AHP, an AUC value of 0.751 is relatively low. This indicates that the MIF model is the most appropriate to accurately define potential groundwater zones for emerging cities like Nava Raipur.

Characterization of subsurface geology and hydrogeology in Kribi -Cameroon using electrical resistivity soundings and 3D-Implicit modelling: Baseline for groundwater resource management

This scientific article aims to characterize the geology and hydrogeology of Kribi, Cameroon for the purposes of water resources management, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. The specific objectives include mapping the subsurface electrical resistivity structure, identifying groundwater potential zones, and constructing a hydrogeological model for groundwater modelling. The study employed the Schlumberger method to map the electrical resistivity structure of the 3D subsurface and utilized 3D implicit modelling techniques to delineate groundwater potential zones. The study revealed that Kribi exhibits a highly complex geology, characterized by three-layered electrical resistivity models, typical of sedimentary and metamorphic formations. The major lithologies identified include laterite, clay, sand, quartz, and granite. The region encompasses areas with low water potential and brackish zones alongside high groundwater production areas. The study established the presence of aquifers within Kribi, with the unconfined aquifer found at depths ranging from 2 m to 13 m, and the confined aquifer extending from 14 m to 40 m. The aquifers are notably thick and productive, indicating substantial groundwater resources. Static groundwater volumes were estimated at 50,179,381 m3 and 317,118,946 m3 for the unconfined and confined aquifers respectively. Despite this potential, water resources management in the area is non-existent. The study recommends the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to improve water resource management, with a primary focus on groundwater modelling. The northern and southern regions of Kribi exhibit high permeability, which is advantageous for groundwater recharge and storage projects but also poses challenges for environmental remediation efforts. Consequently, safeguarding the delineated area for groundwater provision is of utmost importance.

Geospatial modeling for groundwater potential zoning using a multi-parameter analytical hierarchy process supported by geophysical data

Groundwater plays a crucial role in Hungary sustaining ecosystems and meeting the growing demand for freshwater to fulfill domestic and agricultural needs. This study employs the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology to delineate groundwater potential zones in the Debrecen area, Hungary. To ensure the robustness and reliability of the potential zoning, geophysical data are utilized for validation purposes. In the AHP modeling seven groundwater conditioning factors are integrated, including geology, topography, slope, land use/land cover, precipitation, drainage density, and lineament density. The integration of the normalized weights for each factor identified three groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) assigned as moderate, high, and very high potential. The result of the AHP model is further validated with geophysical data of gravity and wireline logging. Gravity data is subjected to spectral analysis and forward modeling to map the lineaments and detect the thickness of the sedimentary sequences. The forward modeling indicated that the thickness of these sequences varies between 1.25 and 2.7 km, with a deep local basin delimited by normal faults situated in the eastern part of the study area. Additionally, the analysis of the well-logging data using the Csókás method provided a continuous estimation of petrophysical and hydrogeological parameters along the main hydrostratigraphical units. Accordingly, a high and uniform distribution of hydraulic conductivity is observed in the eastern part of the study area due to the presence of coarse-grained incised valley deposits. The results of geophysical modeling showed a close agreement with that of AHP models. This interdisciplinary approach advanced the mapping of potential groundwater zones and provided valuable insights into the hydrogeological characteristics of the groundwater aquifers in the Debrecen area.

Delineation of groundwater potential zones and its extent of contamination from the hard rock aquifers in west-Bengal, India

This study evaluates the groundwater potential and quality in the parts of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex situated in the East Indian Shield. The region has faced groundwater development challenges for several decades. Therefore, in the study area, it is crucial to address the depletion of both groundwater quality and quantity, as this facilitates the identification of potential uncontaminated groundwater zones. The present study interprets the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) utilizing an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) integrated with hydrogeochemical analysis. Several thematic maps were prepared to delineate the GPWZ. It has been found that ∼0.6% of the study area has a very good potential zone, 14.4% has good, 52% has moderate, and approximately 32% and 0.9% have low to very low prospective groundwater resources, respectively. The authentication of results was found to be excellent (91.4%) with the Area Under Curve (AUC). Analysis of hydrogeochemical data suggests that Mixed Ca–Na–HCO3, Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, Ca–HCO3, and Na–Cl are the dominant water types in the study area. The principal component analysis suggests that Na+, Mg2+, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− significantly contribute to groundwater chemistry. The K-means clustering and hierarchical cluster analysis classified groundwater samples into three clusters based on the hydrogeochemical characteristics. It is inferred that silicate weathering and reverse ion reactions through rock-water interaction control geogenic processes for groundwater chemistry. It is also inferred that regions with poor to unsuitable water quality indexes also have low GWPZ. Further, groundwater for irrigation is also accessed and found unsuitable at some locations. This research contributes to comprehending groundwater characteristics in analogous geological regions globally. Additionally, it assists in implementing preventive actions to mitigate groundwater contamination, consequently lowering health risks and formulating sustainable plans for the future.

Geospatial and geophysical insights for groundwater potential zones mapping and aquifer evaluation at Wadi Abu Marzouk in El-Nagila, Egypt

This study employs an integration of remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and geophysical techniques to delineate groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). This multidisciplinary approach significantly enhances the precision and reliability of groundwater potential zone mapping. Eight criteria were introduced into the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to identify GWPZs in Wadi Abu Marzouk by applying a weighted overlay analysis of all criteria layers. The criteria weights were derived by using a pairwise-comparison technique, while the accuracy of the weightage process was calculated by the consistency ratio as 0.06. As revealed in the GWPZ analysis, the northern and northwestern regions have the highest groundwater potentiality. Thirty-five vertical electrical soundings (VES) and four electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles were measured across the study area. The interpretation of geophysical data revealed the presence of a water-bearing layer at depths varying between 27 and 51 m from the ground surface. Its resistivity values indicate the existence of freshwater in the northern and northwestern parts, which highly matches the GWPZ analysis results. However, the southern parts of the area are dominated by saltwater. The integration between geospatial techniques, geophysics, and hydrogeology forms a robust scientific approach, with invaluable insights for sustainable water resource management.

Mapping Groundwater Potential (GWP) in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, Eastern Saudi Arabia Using Data-Driven GIS Techniques

Searching for new sources of water is becoming one of the most important aspects of scientific research, especially in areas prone to drought, like Saudi Arabia. The study aim was to delineate groundwater potential zones within the Oasis of Al-Ahsa, in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region, and to identify the optimum factors that control the availability of groundwater zones. This was achieved through examining the effect of ten environmental variables on groundwater recharge, namely: slope, topographic wetness index (TWI), land cover (LC), elevation, lineament density (Ld), drainage density (Dd), rainfall, geology, and soil texture. The variables were prepared from a variety of data sources, including spatial data (i.e., DEM and Landsat-8 image), in addition to other complementing data sources for appropriate parameters extraction. Two weighted overlay methods were used, namely the simple additive weight (SAW) as well as the optimum index factor (OIF) in order to categorize the optimal set of parameters for computing GWP and identifying its zones. Two GWP maps were obtained and validated through comparison with the locations of existing wells at GWP zones. The study findings have assured the cogency of the SAW map, where it was found that nearly 45–48% of the resultant zones were characterized as in the “moderate” class, whereas around 21–37% of the entire zones area were classified within the “high” class. The soil texture parameter was determined as being the most influencing parameter for GWP mapping followed by the “geology” parameter; however, the “lineament density” (Ld) was the least important factor. Furthermore, the OIF method has facilitated the identification of the optimal parameter combination for delineating groundwater potential (GWP) zones, which included “Ld”, “land cover”, and “TWI”. The study findings and methodology can serve as a potential model for other similar regions, supporting sustainable water resource management locally as well as globally.

Delineation of groundwater potential zone using remote sensing and GIS-based AHP for sustainable groundwater management in Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Sustainable groundwater management is crucial for ensuring the long-term availability of water resources and supporting socio-economic activities. As water demands increase and hydrological systems become more complex, accurately identifying groundwater potential zones is essential for effective resource planning and utilization. However, the in-situ data availability is often very limited, particularly on a regional scale. To solve this problem, this study aimed to delineate groundwater potential zones in Aceh Besar Regency using remote sensing and a GIS-based AHP (analytical hierarchy process). Several factors were used to determine groundwater potential zones, including lithology, land use/land cover, slope, lineament density, drainage density, rainfall, and soil type. Each factor was weighted based on an extensive literature review and knowledge-driven decision-making techniques. The results indicated that 26.35% of the area was classified as having low groundwater potential, whereas 53.86% was classified as moderate. Areas that have high to very high groundwater potential cover 16.76% to 3.04% of the Aceh Besar territory. The high groundwater potential zones were mostly located in alluvial and clastic sediments lithology, gentle slopes, and had high annual rainfall. Meanwhile, areas with igneous and metamorphic lithology as well as steep slopes, had moderate to low groundwater potential. Validation was carried out by collecting the high-yield existing production wells and calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with relatively good accuracy (74.5%). This research has effectively described the spatial distribution of groundwater potential, contributing to sustainable groundwater management and enabling informed decision-making for sustainable groundwater practices.

Delineation of groundwater potential zone using geospatial tools and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the state of Uttarakhand, India

Groundwater plays a vital role in global climate change and substantial human needs. However, the groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) delineation is essential for fulfilling livelihood needs. In recent years, studies based on geographic information systems (GIS) have acquired much attention in groundwater exploration. Thus, in order to determine the groundwater potential zone in the state of Uttarakhand, we employ a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model with overlay weighted linear combination approach in this study. For groundwater potential zone demarcation, nine thematic layers such as geology, geomorphology, LULC, drainage density, slope, rainfall, soil, TWI, and curvature were created using remote sensing (RS) images and conventional data for a geographic information system (GIS). Furthermore, the weight of the parameters has been determined using AHP technique and overlay analysis was determined using GIS tools. A thematic map was categorized as “very poor,” “poor,” “moderate,” “good,” “very good,” and “excellent” in order to determine the groundwater potential zone. According to the results, the area covered by the 'very poor' categories is 187.43 km2 (0.16 %) followed by 'poor' 2109.66 km2 (3.99 %), 'moderate' 29024.06 km2 (54.78 %), 'good' 15151.13 km2 (28.67 %), 'very good' 6537.19 km2 (12.37 %), and 'excellent' 814.84 km2 (1.55 %) with the accuracy of 89.9 %. The 'very poor' and 'moderate' groundwater potential zones were observed as 0.16 % and 54.78 %, respectively, and the possibility for GPZ gradually increased from the northeast to the southwest. The findings of this study have implications for future research on sustainable groundwater use, basin management of agriculture, and the link between groundwater and climate change.

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones Utilising Geospatial Multi Criteria Technique in Jakholi Block of a Himalayan District, Rudraprayag, India

Groundwater mapping is critical for satisfying people’s water needs. An attempt has been made to delineate the groundwater potential zone for Jakholi block in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. An innovation in groundwater research that aids in evaluating, observing, and sustaining groundwater resources is the coalscence of remote sensing data with the Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to groundwater resources. Several groundwater potential zones for assessing groundwater availability in Jakholi block have been identified in this article utilizing remote sensing and GIS methodologies. Throughout the study, nine thematic layers were evaluated for designating groundwater potential zones: geomorphology, geology, lineament density, drainage density, slope, soil texture, precipitation, relief and land use/land cover. Thematic layers were then transformed to raster using a GIS platform. After giving weights and score to individual layer, overlay analysis has been practised to identify five zones: very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor. The majority of the territory is in a zone with poor groundwater prospect. The outcome illustrates groundwater potential zones in the research region and has been shown to be useful in improving ground water resource planning and management.

Using geospatial technologies to delineate Ground Water Potential Zones (GWPZ) in Mberengwa and Zvishavane District, Zimbabwe

Using geospatial technologies to delineate Ground Water Potential Zones (GWPZ) in Mberengwa and Zvishavane District, Zimbabwe

Delineation of groundwater potential zones in Kotagarh block of Kandhamal District, Odisha through geospatial techniques

AbstractThe integrative approach of remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) has been a very useful tool for the delineation of groundwater potential zones in any terrain. Various natural factors such as lithology, geomorphology, land use land cover, slope, drainage density, lineament density, etc. control the groundwater recharge and storage. Individual thematic layers have been developed through GIS assigning proper weightage based on storage capacity. The groundwater potential zones in the study region are divided into three classes such as poor, good, and exceptional. The aforesaid methodology has been applied in the selected part of Kotagarh Block of Kandhamal District, Odisha to delineate the possible groundwater potential zones. The present study revealed that the Kotagarh region being a rugged topography is good for groundwater occurrence and storage.

Delineation of groundwater potential zones using electrical resistivity technique in Obudu basement terrain of Cross River State, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract Groundwater exploration in basement terrain can be somewhat challenging. Aquifer parameters like hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity can help in predicting groundwater potential zones in basement terrains. The vertical electrical sounding investigation that involved the Schlumberger configuration was employed to map the subsurface layers within the crystalline basement of the Obudu Complex, southeastern Nigeria. Secondary electrical resistivity data (Dar Zarrouk parameters) and a few pumping test-derived hydraulic parameters (i.e., transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity) were employed to develop empirical models. These models were used to predict hydraulic parameters at locations where only geoelectrical parameters (i.e., aquifer layer thickness and electrical resistivity) exist. Results showed that the northeastern part of the study area and areas located within zones of major faults displayed relatively higher values of hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity. The study area was classified into good, moderate, and poor groundwater potential aquifer zones. This integrated approach can be adopted in other areas with similar geology, where pumping test information is scarce or limited, as an alternative means of predicting aquifer properties and delineating groundwater potential zones for sustainable development and management of groundwater resources.

Application of geospatial techniques and analytic hierarchy process in delineating ground water potential zones: a case study from the South Eastern part of Bihar, India

Application of geospatial techniques and analytic hierarchy process in delineating ground water potential zones: a case study from the South Eastern part of Bihar, India