MAR site suitability mapping for arid–semiarid regions by remote data and combined approach: A case study from Balochistan, Pakistan

Climate change, along with the rapid increase in population and mismanagement of water resources, resulted in a decline in the quality and quantity of groundwater worldwide. Balochistan, the largest and driest province of Pakistan, is located in the south western part of the country. This region is suffering from the declining water table, land subsidence, and intense soil erosion. Rapidly increasing population, sea level rise, increasing temperature, declining average annual precipitation, and short-duration intense rainfalls with reduced percolation rates are further aggravating the situation. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is considered as a solution to reduce the stress on groundwater resources and achieve resilience to climate change. Creating a MAR suitability map may be one of the steps to be taken to reach sustainable groundwater management. This study produced the first MAR suitability map of the Quetta Valley, the most densely populated city of Balochistan, and Poralai and Hingol coastal basins suffering from seawater intrusion. To construct the MAR suitability map, the online INOWAS platform was first used to narrow down the suitable MAR options. Then, the six influencing factors including geology, slope, land-cover, precipitation, drainage density, and soil were identified, and the raster map of each factor was scored and weighted using GIS tools and the Multi Influencing Factor (MIF) method. All the factors were integrated according to their weight by using the ‘Weighted Overlay Analysis’ tool and the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (GIS-MCDA) in ArcGIS to produce the final MAR suitability map. The suitability map divided the study area into high, moderate, low, and very low suitability classes. The results depict that 80% of Poralai Basin, 10% of Hingol Basin and less than 5% of Quetta Valley falls in the high MAR suitability zone especially for trenches, ditches, furrows, and leaky dams. The first MAR suitability map for the basins of Balochistan can serve as the guidance and screening tool to focus site specific studies for highly suitable areas for MAR implementation. In the following phase of the study, an analysis of source, quality, and final use of water can serve to design and develop the specific MAR structures according to local conditions and needs. The displayed method is applicable to further MAR suitability studies for other arid-semiarid regions.

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Integrated Geospatial Multi Influencing Factor Approach to Delineate and Identify Groundwater Potential Zones in Kabul Province, Afghanistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-211720/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Jamal Nasir ◽

Sajjad Khan ◽

Tehreem Ayaz ◽

Amir Zeb Khan ◽

Waqas Ahmad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Resources ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Relative Weight ◽

Drainage Density ◽

Groundwater Potential ◽

Land Use Land Cover ◽

Groundwater Potential Zones ◽

Lineament Density ◽

Study Results ◽

Groundwater Potentiality

Abstract This study was an attempt to evaluate the groundwater potentiality in Kabul province, Afghanistan using geospatial multi influencing factor (MIF) approach. The influencing parameters employed for the assessment of groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) includes slope, geology, soil, land use/land cover, lineament density, rainfall and drainage density. The sub-classes within each influencing parameter were sub-divided, based on their effectiveness in groundwater potentiality as major, minor and no effect, and subsequently assigned a score value. The combined score value of these parameters was used for calculating the relative weight. The delineated GWPZ were classified in four groups, i.e. poor, moderate, good and very good GWPZ. The study results revealed that very good GWPZ covered an area of 354.87km2 (2% of the total area), good 1523.86 km2 (20%), moderate 2250.99 km2 (73%) and poor 477.19 km2 (5%). The study concluded that geospatial assisted MIF approach was very useful and efficient techniques for the assessment of GWPZ and can be effectively employed to enhance the conceptual understanding of groundwater resources of Kabul Basin, Afghanistan.

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Site selection for managed aquifer recharge in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, using a multi-criteria decision analysis and geographic information system

Hydrogeology Journal ◽

10.1007/s10040-021-02408-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Salem Hussaini ◽

Asadullah Farahmand ◽

Sangam Shrestha ◽

Sanjiv Neupane ◽

Manuel Abrunhosa

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Geographic Information System ◽

Decision Analysis ◽

Infiltration Rate ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Drainage Density ◽

Geographic Information ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Multi Criteria Decision Analysis ◽

Suitability Map

AbstractWhile the success and sustainability of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strongly depends on many characteristics of the site, it is necessary to integrate the site characteristics and develop suitability maps to indicate the most suitable locations. The objective of this study is to integrate geographic information system (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques to identify the most suitable areas for a MAR project in the Kabul city area, Afghanistan. Data for six effective criteria, including slope, drainage density, surface infiltration rate, unsaturated zone thickness, soil type and electrical conductivity, were collected and then a classification map was produced for each criterion in the GIS environment. By applying MCDA techniques, the weights of the effective criteria were obtained. A suitability map was generated from each technique separately based on a combination of all criteria weights and thematic layers. The result of the analytical network process (ANP) method was found to be more precise and reliable compared with that of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. Based on the final suitability map produced from the ANP model, there is 3.7, 15.0, 37.4, 33.1 and 10.3% of the total area that is unsuitable, of low suitability, moderately suitable, suitable and very suitable for MAR application, respectively. As a final result of this work, seven sites have been prioritized based on land use. The integration of multi-criteria decision analysis and GIS is recognized as an effective method for the selection of managed aquifer recharge sites.

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Development of a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Analysis Tool - Based on the Vulnerability Assessment of Forest Fires in Chungcheongnam-do -

Journal of Climate Change Research ◽

10.15531/ksccr.2017.8.3.275 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 275-285

Author(s):

Soo Hyang Yoon ◽

Sang Sin Lee

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Vulnerability Assessment ◽

Analysis Tool ◽

Climate Change Vulnerability ◽

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

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Feasibility of Artificial Groundwater Recharge Structures for Urban and Rural Environment of Ranchi in India using Geospatial Technology

10.21523/gcj3.18020103 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 28-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shanti Mahto ◽

Anuj Kushwaha ◽

Siva Subramanian M. ◽

Nikita Nikita ◽

T. B. N. Singh

Keyword(s):

Artificial Recharge ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Drainage Density ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Rural Environment ◽

Runoff Water ◽

Check Dams ◽

Exploratory Wells ◽

Recharge Structures

Artificial recharge plays a prominent role in the sustainable management of groundwater resources. The study has proposed a methodology to viable artificial recharge structure using geographical information system (GIS) and empirical equation techniques for augmenting groundwater resources in the Ranchi urban and rural area of Ranchi District, Jharkhand. The thematic layers for geomorphology, drainage density, order of streams, runoff and trend has been prepared in the GIS environment using convection and remote sensing data. It has been found that the slope and topographic gradient of Ranchi region is one of the major governing factors, which restricts to hold surface water stagnant. Jumar watershed is found as the most feasible watershed for the construction of check dams/percolation tanks followed by Lower Subarnarekha watershed. Out of 15 deeper exploratory wells, 14 are declining. Harmu watershed is found to be in the worst condition in terms of availability of runoff water. Harmu, Kanke, Bariyatu, Namkum, Doranda, Hinoo and Hatia have found as the most suitable locations for installation of RTRWH within the Ranchi urban area. Based on the available field information, check dams are suggested as the most promising artificial recharge structures for Ranchi rural environment.

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Integrated Geomorphological, Geospatial and AHP Technique for Groundwater Prospects Mapping in Basaltic Terrain

10.21523/gcj3.18020102 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 16-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Vaishnavi Mundalik ◽

Clinton Fernandes ◽

Ajaykumar Kadam ◽

Bhavana Umrikar

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Resources ◽

Drainage Density ◽

Groundwater Potential ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Thematic Layers ◽

Groundwater Availability ◽

Basaltic Terrain ◽

Thematic Layer ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Gis Environment

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water in rural parts of India. Because of the increasing demand for water, it is essential to identify new sources for the sustainable development of this resource. The potential mapping and exploration of groundwater resources have become a breakthrough in the field of hydrogeological research. In the present paper, a groundwater prospects map is delineated for the assessment of groundwater availability in Kar basin on basaltic terrain, using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Various thematic layers such as geology, slope, soil, geomorphology, drainage density and rainfall are prepared using satellite data, topographic maps and field data. The ranks and weights were assigned to each thematic layer and various categories of those thematic layers using AHP technique respectively. Further, a weighted overlay analysis was performed by reclassifying them in the GIS environment to prepare the groundwater potential map of the study area. The results show that groundwater prospects map classified into three classes low, moderate and high having area 17.12%, 38.26%, 44.62%, respectively. The overlay map with the groundwater potential zones in the study area has been found to be helpful for better planning and managing the resources.

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Evaluation of Climate Change Impact on Groundwater Recharge in Groundwater Regions in Taiwan

Water ◽

10.3390/w13091153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1153

Author(s):

Shih-Jung Wang ◽

Cheng-Haw Lee ◽

Chen-Feng Yeh ◽

Yong Fern Choo ◽

Hung-Wei Tseng

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Climate Change Impact ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Regression Equations ◽

Impact Of Climate Change ◽

Groundwater Systems ◽

Change Impact ◽

The Impact ◽

Assessment Results

Climate change can directly or indirectly influence groundwater resources. The mechanisms of this influence are complex and not easily quantified. Understanding the effect of climate change on groundwater systems can help governments adopt suitable strategies for water resources. The baseflow concept can be used to relate climate conditions to groundwater systems for assessing the climate change impact on groundwater resources. This study applies the stable baseflow concept to the estimation of the groundwater recharge in ten groundwater regions in Taiwan, under historical and climate scenario conditions. The recharge rates at the main river gauge stations in the groundwater regions were assessed using historical data. Regression equations between rainfall and groundwater recharge quantities were developed for the ten groundwater regions. The assessment results can be used for recharge evaluation in Taiwan. The climate change estimation results show that climate change would increase groundwater recharge by 32.6% or decrease it by 28.9% on average under the climate scenarios, with respect to the baseline quantity in Taiwan. The impact of climate change on groundwater systems may be positive. This study proposes a method for assessing the impact of climate change on groundwater systems. The assessment results provide important information for strategy development in groundwater resources management.

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Hydrology influences breeding time in the white-throated dipper

BMC Ecology ◽

10.1186/s12898-020-00338-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna L. K. Nilsson ◽

Thomas Skaugen ◽

Trond Reitan ◽

Jan Henning L’Abée-Lund ◽

Marlène Gamelon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

River Discharge ◽

Large Scale ◽

Time Window ◽

River System ◽

Open Water ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Environmental Indices ◽

Groundwater Levels ◽

Breeding Time

Abstract Background Earlier breeding is one of the strongest responses to global change in birds and is a key factor determining reproductive success. In most studies of climate effects, the focus has been on large-scale environmental indices or temperature averaged over large geographical areas, neglecting that animals are affected by the local conditions in their home ranges. In riverine ecosystems, climate change is altering the flow regime, in addition to changes resulting from the increasing demand for renewable and clean hydropower. Together with increasing temperatures, this can lead to shifts in the time window available for successful breeding of birds associated with the riverine habitat. Here, we investigated specifically how the environmental conditions at the territory level influence timing of breeding in a passerine bird with an aquatic lifestyle, the white-throated dipper Cinclus cinclus. We relate daily river discharge and other important hydrological parameters, to a long-term dataset of breeding phenology (1978–2015) in a natural river system. Results Dippers bred earlier when winter river discharge and groundwater levels in the weeks prior to breeding were high, and when there was little snow in the catchment area. Breeding was also earlier at lower altitudes, although the effect dramatically declined over the period. This suggests that territories at higher altitudes had more open water in winter later in the study period, which permitted early breeding also here. Unexpectedly, the largest effect inducing earlier breeding time was territory river discharge during the winter months and not immediately prior to breeding. The territory river discharge also increased during the study period. Conclusions The observed earlier breeding can thus be interpreted as a response to climate change. Measuring environmental variation at the scale of the territory thus provides detailed information about the interactions between organisms and the abiotic environment.

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Opportunities for harnessing the increased contribution of glacier and snowmelt flows in the Ganges basin

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2013.008 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 15 (S1) ◽

pp. 9-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bharat R. Sharma ◽

Devaraj de Condappa

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Eastern India ◽

Ganges Basin ◽

Additional Water ◽

Set Up ◽

Tehri Dam ◽

The Ganges ◽

The Impact ◽

The Himalaya

The topography of the Ganges basin is highly variable, with the steep mountainous region of the Himalaya upstream and the large fertile plains in eastern India and Bangladesh downstream. The contribution from the glaciers to streamflows is supposed to be significant but there is uncertainty surrounding the impact of climate change on glaciers. An application of the Water Evaluation and Planning model was set up which contained an experimental glaciers module. The model also examined the possible impacts of an increase in temperature. The contribution from glaciated areas is significant (60–75%) in the Upper Ganges but reduces downstream, falling to about 19% at Farakka. Climate change-induced rise in temperature logically increases the quantity of snow and ice that melts in glaciated areas. However, this impact decreases from upstream (+8% to +26% at Tehri dam) to downstream (+1% to +4% at Farakka). Such increases in streamflows may create flood events more frequently, or of higher magnitude, in the upper reaches. Potential strategies to exploit this additional water may include the construction of new dams/reservoir storage and the development of groundwater in the basin through managed aquifer recharge. The riparian states of India, Nepal and Bangladesh could harness this opportunity to alleviate physical water scarcity and improve productivity.

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