Multi-criteria analysis for selection of priority management programs for the Japaratuba River Basin, SE, Brazil

ABSTRACT The Japaratuba River Basin (JRB), located in Sergipe, Brazil, has accelerated economic development due to oil exploration and an increase in the sugarcane and corn monocultures. Thus, environmental degradation has increased in the basin. Given the importance of the water supply that the hydrographic basin has for the state of Sergipe, and the need to balance its economic growth with environmental conservation, this study had the objective to analyze the Japaratuba River Basin Plan (JRBP), published in 2015, and propose the priority scale for the execution of programs arranged under the scope of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Thus, the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process method (AHP) was used with data collection (water supply and distribution, sanitation, and forest cover) for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, associating Geoprocessing techniques. It was verified that among the criteria analyzed for the definition of the priority scale, those associated with the restoration of ecosystems, sanitation, and hygiene, and water quality were the ones with the highest priority for execution according to the levels of criticality observed. The multi-criteria analysis expands the context of environmental criteria to be observed in further reviews of the JRBP; and expands the strategic environmental vision in the integrated management processes of the basin.

Download Full-text

DEFINITION OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR RECOVERY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENT AREAS ACCORDING TO LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY

10.3850/38wc092019-1839 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

VANESSA LUCENA CANÇADO ◽

NÍVIA CARLA RODRIGUES ◽

TALITA SILVA ◽

JULIAN CARDOSO ELEUTÉRIO ◽

NILO DE OLIVEIRA NASCIMENTO

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Water Supply ◽

Environmental Conservation ◽

Priority Areas ◽

Management Capability ◽

Catchment Areas ◽

Definition Of ◽

Land Use And Management

Download Full-text

Priority targets for environmental research in the Sinos River basin

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842010000600014 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 70 (4 suppl) ◽

pp. 1245-1247 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

FR. Spilki ◽

JG Tundisi

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Economic Development ◽

Urban Planning ◽

River Basin ◽

Environmental Degradation ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Scientific Research ◽

Environmental Conservation ◽

Environmental Research

The Sinos River Basin is often mentioned as a highly degraded watershed. A series of impacts on water quality, soil and air has been reported in this environment on a recurring basis over the years. This situation of environmental degradation has its origins in a process of huge economic development uncoupled from environmental conservation concerns. The intense consequent urbanization observed for the municipalities within the watershed was not preceded by urban planning proper zoning. The time has arrived for initiatives in scientific research in the Sinos River basin that are applicable to a more efficient and integrated management and recovery of the basin. In this article, a set of targets for research is suggested which the authors consider as the main priorities for the next few years, aiming for better knowledge and better management of the watershed. Some are still in course, while others have to be initiated as soon as possible.

Download Full-text

Assessing Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Models for Predicting Groundwater Quality in a River Basin of South India

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126719 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6719

Author(s):

M. Annie Jenifer ◽

Madan Kumar Jha ◽

Amina Khatun

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

River Basin ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Unit Weight ◽

Analytic Hierarchy ◽

Ahp Model ◽

Thematic Layers ◽

Hierarchy Process

India is the largest consumer of groundwater in the world, and it suffers from a groundwater crisis due to the overexploitation of groundwater and the deterioration of its quality at an alarming rate. Rapid urbanization, a growing population, and mismanagement are major driving forces behind these groundwater issues. Thus, increasing problems of water scarcity and water-quality deterioration threaten the sustainability of the water supply. This necessitates the development of novel approaches to assess prevailing groundwater quality scenarios at a large scale, which can help protect this vital freshwater resource from contamination. In this study, for the first time, the effectiveness of three Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) models (i.e., ‘Unit Weight’, ‘Rank Sum’, and ‘Analytic Hierarchy Process’) was explored for predicting groundwater quality in a river basin of Southern India. The seasonal concentrations of groundwater quality parameters, viz., Cl−, TDS, TH, F−, NO3−-N, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and SO42−, were considered for generating their thematic layers. Each thematic layer was classified into suitable feature classes based on the WHO guidelines for drinking water. The thematic layers and the feature classes of individual groundwater quality parameters were assigned relative weights according to the theories of the three MCDA models mentioned above. These thematic layers were then aggregated in GIS to develop Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) maps of the study area for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Furthermore, the accuracy of the developed GQI maps was validated using relative operating characteristic curves. The results of the validation indicated that the GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model outperformed with prediction accuracies of 71.4% in the pre-monsoon season and about 85% in the post-monsoon season. However, the performances of the Unit Weight and Rank Sum models were found to be average with prediction accuracies varying from 68% to 63% and 64% to 68%, respectively. Thus, the GIS-based AHP model can serve as a reliable scientific tool for predicting seasonal groundwater quality at a river basin scale. It can be very helpful to the policymakers for devising viable management strategies for groundwater protection as well as for ensuring a sustainable water supply.

Download Full-text