Identification of groundwater potential zones using Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and GIS techniques in Srivaikundam region, Thoothukudi district, South India

Abstract

In this study, an effort has been made to locate the subsurface basin for groundwater storage and to identify the suitable destination for the sustainable domestic, agricultural, and drinking needs to demarcate groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) for Srivaikundam region in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India, using remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) with analytical hierarchy process (AHP). According to their respective importance for groundwater occurrence, Saaty's scale was appropriately weighted to give the thematic layers and their attributes. The selected thematic maps were then merged using the weighted linear combination method to produce the final groundwater potential zone map after the layers' assigned weights and their features had been standardized using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and eigenvector approach. Based on Saaty's 9-point scale, each criterion or factor was given the proper weight, and the weights were then normalized using the analytic hierarchy approach (AHP). To create the groundwater potential prediction map for the research area, the method was incorporated into the GIS environment. They are eight thematic layers are integrated into the GIS platform using weighted index overlay analysis. Groundwater conditions have been used to define GIS analysis criteria, and each information layer has been assigned an appropriate rank and weightage. Finally, groundwater recharge zones have been selected and classified into low, medium, and high based on cumulative weighted value.