Mapping of Groundwater Potential Zones in Crystalline Terrain Using Remote Sensing, GIS Techniques, and Multicriteria Data Analysis (Case of the Ighrem Region, Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Abstract

This research work is intended as a contribution to the development of a multicriteria methodology, combining several factors to control the availability of groundwater resources, in order to optimize the choice of location of future drilling and increase the chances to take water from productive structures which will satisfy the ever-increasing water demand of local population (Arghen basin in the Western Anti-Atlas chain of Morocco). The geographic information system is used to develop thematic maps describing the geometry and the hydrodynamic functioning of the aquifer. In this study, 11 factors including geology, topography, and hydrology, influencing the distribution of water resources were used. Based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, GIS, and remote sensing, the study mapped and classified areas according to their hydrogeological potential. The favorable potential sectors cover 17% of the total area of the basin. The medium potential sectors account for 64%, while the unfavorable areas cover 18% of the basin area. The groundwater potential map of the study area has been validated by comparing with data from 159 boreholes scattered throughout the basin.Water 2020, 12, 471 2 of 16 rural populations [2][3][4]. The aquifers that form in this type of context generally consist of crystalline rocks of plutonic and metamorphic origin (gneiss, schists, micaschists, etc.). These are hard rocks that expose relatively homogeneous mechanical behavior and overall hydraulic properties and are characterized mainly by fracture permeability [5]. Conventional research and prospection methods (hydrochemical, geophysical, etc.) often take a long time, require a lot of financial resources, and need qualified personnel [6][7][8]. In recent decades, several studies have shown that the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), based on geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial remote sensing, offers good functionality for mapping the groundwater recharge area [7][8][9][10][11].The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of AHP and GIS techniques to map potential groundwater areas, to provide policy makers and managers with a guide map for hydrogeological research, to guide the implementation of future points of water, and consequently reduce the costs of hydrogeological investigation.

Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of the Shatt Al-Arab Basin

“…Drainage density, which has a negative correlation with permeability and consequently infiltration rate [107,108], was selected as a fifth parameter. Distance to river is an important factor, especially in arid regions because the occurrence of alluvial layers is generally situated near rivers [73], and was considered to be the sixth factor. The soil grain size was selected as the seventh factor in the hierarchy because infiltration and permeability are directly dependent on soil grain size and related pore size features [67,109].…”

“…Distance to hydrographic networks is important in hydrogeological studies because it is noted that the presence of local alluvial layers is located essentially near the river courses especially in semi-arid regions [73]. Areas close to rivers are favorable for effective infiltration and consequently groundwater recharge.…”

Groundwater potential mapping using GIS, linear weighted combination techniques and geochemical processes identification, west of the Qena area, Upper Egypt

“…In this study, multiple GIS layers were developed to delineate the best prospective locations for groundwater. Each layer was classified into different categories depending on its capability to hold groundwater [6,41,42]. Proper weights were assigned to each map according to its relative importance in governing the setting, accumulation, and infiltration of groundwater to the aquifers.…”

“…The process of Multi-Criteria Evaluation by [20] has been widely employed by many studies such as the works of [41,42,49,[54][55][56][57][58][59]] to predict groundwater. The thematic layers weighted based on expert knowledge using weighted overlay method.…”

Assessment of groundwater resources potential using geoelectrical method and slug test in Tegal District, Central Java Province, Indonesia

“…It has advantages in terms of quality and quantity [2]. In general, its presence is highly influenced by three major factors, including topography, hydrology, and geology [3]. Indonesia has a tropical climate with very high rainfall.…”