Suitability Mapping for Managed Aquifer Recharge: Development of Web-Tools

Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) are increasingly used and hold the potential to be integrated into sustainable groundwater management plans. However, the quality of the maps strongly depends on the input data quality as well as the expertise of the decision-maker. The maps are commonly derived through GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA). To date, there is no common understanding of how suitability mapping should be conducted, as there is considerable variability concerning used GIS data and MCDA methodology. This study presents two web-tools that were conceptualized based on a review of GIS-MCDA studies in the context of MAR suitability mapping. The data retrieved from the review was compiled into a web-based query tool making the MAR- and MCDA-relevant information easily accessible. Based on the most commonly used MCDA practices in the assessed studies, we conceptualized and implemented a second web tool that comprises a simplified web GIS as well as supporting tools for weight assignment and standardization of the criteria. Both web tools will enable decision-makers to engage in MCDA for MAR mapping in a more structured and informed way. As the tools are open-source and web-based, they can facilitate the collaboration between multiple stakeholders and the easy sharing of results.

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Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge: a review of multi-criteria decision analysis studies

Environmental Reviews ◽

10.1139/er-2018-0069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 138-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jana Sallwey ◽

José Pablo Bonilla Valverde ◽

Felipe Vásquez López ◽

Ralf Junghanns ◽

Catalin Stefan

Keyword(s):

Decision Analysis ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Specific Information ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Web Based ◽

Multi Criteria Decision Analysis ◽

Management Plans ◽

Query Tool ◽

Suitability Maps ◽

User Friendly

Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) sites hold a strong potential for integration into sustainable groundwater management plans. An uprising method to identify sites suitable for MAR implementation is geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). There are no guidelines or a common understanding on how suitability mapping should be conducted, and there is considerable variability as to what factors are assessed and how they are weighted. To increase knowledge on GIS-MCDA, a database has been built based on 63 studies applying GIS-MCDA in the context of MAR site selection. Information on the criteria, assigned weights, and methodologies has been retrieved from the documents. Statistical analysis of the database depicts the current state of art for suitability mapping methodologies as well as specific information for the different recharge methods. We further incorporated the compiled information into a web-based query tool that makes the information easily accessible and the utilization of the database more user friendly. This review as well as the created web-tool will help planners of MAR sites to engage in the MCDA in a more structured way by referring to previously conducted studies and by finding information suitable for their specific project. The application potential of suitability maps is discussed along with the shortcomings of this methodology.

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Identification of suitable sites for managed aquifer recharge under semi-arid conditions employing a combination of numerical and analytical techniques

Environmental Earth Sciences ◽

10.1007/s12665-021-09797-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (17) ◽

Author(s):

Jafar Alkhatib ◽

Irina Engelhardt ◽

Martin Sauter

Keyword(s):

Empirical Equation ◽

Surface Characteristics ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Specific Yield ◽

Multiple Model ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Suitability Maps ◽

Aquifer Characteristics ◽

Groundwater Mound ◽

Semi Arid

AbstractOverpumping or overexploitation of groundwater is one of the major threats for aquifer systems in arid and semi-arid areas. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been suggested by many researchers as a sustainable and effective method to alleviate negative impacts of overpumping. Optimizing artificial recharge considers the selection of suitable MAR sites in terms of surface and subsurface characteristics. While surface characteristics at potential MAR sites could be modified (e.g. slope, soil texture, etc.), subsurface characteristics cannot be changed through engineering work. Characteristics of the aquifer, such as depth to groundwater, play an important role in determining the capability of an aquifer to store a specific volume of infiltrated water. Currently, only a limited number of quoted researches are available that consider factors related to aquifer characteristics and the range of these factors to identify optimal MAR sites. In this study, a new approach is presented, that employs numerical groundwater modeling to generate MAR suitability maps considering sub-surface characteristics, such as depth-to-groundwater, aquifer transmissivity and specific yield. Multiple model-runs are conducted to simulate groundwater table response with respect to the volume of infiltrated water. Simulation results are used to calibrate a groundwater mound empirical equation that calculates the groundwater level increase as a function of the transmissivity and infiltrated water volume for a given value of aquifer’ specific yield, range of vertical hydraulic conductivities and a specific design and operation conditions of the MAR system. The empirical equation is employed in GIS to spatially calculate the height of groundwater mound beneath a hypothetical MAR site and to generate, based on that, suitability maps for MAR implementation. Assuming that MAR structures capture the median of monthly surface runoff rates at the respective wadi (catchment area), suitability maps are generated for different configurations/scenarios of aquifer hydraulic conductivity in a parameter study. The results highlight the importance of integrating aquifer characteristics (geometry and hydraulic parameters) and expected magnitudes and fluxes of infiltration water in delineating suitable sites for MAR.

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A Web-Geographical Information System to Support Territorial Data Integration

Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Second Edition ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-026-4.ch659 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 4125-4129

Author(s):

V. De Antonellis ◽

G. Pozzi ◽

F.A. Schreiber ◽

L. Tanca ◽

L. Tosi

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Geographical Information System ◽

Web Sites ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Heterogeneous Data ◽

Data Sources ◽

Web Gis ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Data Publishing ◽

Web Based

The design of a Web-geographical information system, Web-GIS (Worboys & Duckham, 2004; Zhong Ren & Ming Hsiang, 2003), strongly requires methodological and operational tools for dealing with information distributed in multiple, autonomous and heterogeneous data sources, and a uniform data publishing methodology and policy over Internet Web sites. In this article we describe the experience of the Politecnico di Milano group in the activities of requirement analysis and conceptual design of the DEAFIN Web-GIS (Schreiber et al., 2003), whose objective is to provide a common environment for comparison of information about available vacant industrial sites coming from different regional data sources. Heterogeneity and Web availability requirements have been taken into account in the system architecture design; the system is thus conceived as a federated Web-based information system, apt to manage and provide access to all the regional relevant information in an integrated and complete fashion. Furthermore, since the data available by a given region partner can be both spatial and alphanumeric, a Web-GIS is defined for each regional component system.

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Web-based global inventory of managed aquifer recharge applications

Sustainable Water Resources Management ◽

10.1007/s40899-017-0212-6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 153-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Catalin Stefan ◽

Nienke Ansems

Keyword(s):

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Web Based ◽

Global Inventory

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A Web-Geographical Information System to Support Territorial Data Integration

Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, First Edition ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-553-5.ch007 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 33-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. De Antonellis ◽

G. Pozzi ◽

F.A. Schreiber ◽

L. Tanca ◽

L. Tosi

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Geographical Information System ◽

Web Sites ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Heterogeneous Data ◽

Data Sources ◽

Web Gis ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Data Publishing ◽

Web Based

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A voyage to Ancient Greek Harbours on board Limenoscope

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2007.029 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 253-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. Theodoulou ◽

C. Memos

Keyword(s):

Black Sea ◽

General Public ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Relevant Information ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Ancient Greek ◽

Web Based ◽

Database Structure ◽

Historical Role ◽

Concise Information

Limenoscope is a web based database aiming at promoting the cultural heritage regarding ancient Greek harbours and disseminate the relevant information equally to the general public and to researchers with an interest in that particular cognitive field. The scope of the project is the realization of a database, where one can search for concise information relevant to the historical role, the topography, the morphology, as well as the technical works and installations of ancient harbours in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The Database started off with the registration of harbours located in the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, dating from Archaic to Byzantine times. Special emphasis is laid on the bibliographical update of the data forms of the harbour sites, as well as on the related references in ancient literature. The database enables the locating of these sites on a general map, where photographs, plans etc. are also archived. The principles of the database structure are briefly presented along with an example, that of the harbour of Phalasarna, among the harbours registered therein.

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