Spatial variations in ground water quality in the corporation area of Gulbarga City located in the northern part of Karnataka State, India, have been studied using geographic information system (GIS) technique. GIS, a tool which is used for storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data is also used for investigating ground water quality information. For this study, water samples were collected from 76 of the bore wells and open wells representing the entire corporation area. The water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters like TDS, TH, Cl and NO 3-, using standard techniques in the laboratory and compared with the standards. The ground water quality information maps of the entire study area have been prepared using GIS spatial interpolation technique for all the above parameters. The results obtained in this study and the spatial database established in GIS will be helpful for monitoring and managing ground water pollution in the study area. Mapping was coded for potable zones, in the absence of better alternate source and non-potable zones in the study area, in terms of water quality.

Urban population growth has been accelerating in the developing countries and this exerts tremendous pressure on available land resources in major cities and urban centres. Greater Doha, which is a metropolis area where 78% of the country's population live, has witnessed a substantial population growth and a large urban expansion. This study is the first of its kind in the State of Qatar and it aims to provide an understanding of the land use/land cover (LULC) change and its spatiotemporal pattern in Greater Doha between the years 1997 and 2010. Parcel data and census statistics from these two dates were used in the analysis. LULC change statistics indicate a very large increase of 289% in the built-up areas and a larger increase of 426% of recreational spaces which shows a progressive planning approach towards improving living standards in Greater Doha. As a result of this development demands, the open spaces have been substantially reduced from 77% to 25%, population density increased in many parts of the metropolis and high-rise building started to dominate the skylines in certain parts of the metropolis. MARKOV model was used to generate future LULC change scenarios for the year 2020. The analysis predicts a 20% increase of built-up areas which will take place in the open spaces, and this modest increase may be explained by model constraints resulting from limited availability of land within the current boundaries of Greater Doha for future development.

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