Using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Multi-Influencing Factors to Map Groundwater Recharge Zones in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Coastal Aquifer

Mapping groundwater recharge zones (GWRZs) is essential for planning artificial recharge programs to mitigate groundwater decline and saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers. We applied two multi-criteria decision-making approaches, namely the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the multi-influ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water (Basel) 2020-09, Vol.12 (9), p.2525
Main Authors: Zghibi, Adel, Mirchi, Ali, Msaddek, Mohamed Haythem, Merzougui, Amira, Zouhri, Lahcen, Taupin, Jean-Denis, Chekirbane, Anis, Chenini, Ismail, Tarhouni, Jamila
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Analytical hierarchy process
Aquifers
Artificial recharge
Coastal aquifers
Coasts
Dams
Decision making
Drainage density
Environmental aspects
Fault lines
Geographic information systems
Geomorphology
Groundwater
Groundwater data
Groundwater discharge
Groundwater recharge
Hydrologic data
Land use
Lithology
Mapping
Measurement
Multiple criteria decision making
Multiple criterion
Parameter sensitivity
Percolation
Rainfall
Saline water
Saline water intrusion
Salt water intrusion
Sciences of the Universe
Sea level
Soil density
Surface water
Testing
Water stress
Water, Underground
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Summary:Mapping groundwater recharge zones (GWRZs) is essential for planning artificial recharge programs to mitigate groundwater decline and saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers. We applied two multi-criteria decision-making approaches, namely the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the multi-influencing factors (MIF), to map GWRZs in the Korba aquifer in northeastern Tunisia. GWRZ results from the AHP indicate that the majority (69%) of the area can be classified as very good and good for groundwater recharge. The MIF results suggest larger (80.7%) very good and good GWRZs. The GWRZ maps improve groundwater balance calculations by providing estimates of recharge-precipitation ratios to quantify percolation. Lithology, land use/cover and slope were the most sensitive parameters followed by geomorphology, lineament density, rainfall, drainage density and soil type. The AHP approach produced relatively more accurate results than the MIF technique based on correlation of the obtained GWRZs with groundwater well discharge data from 20 wells across the study area. The accuracy of the approaches ultimately depends on the classification criteria, mean rating score and weights assigned to the thematic layers. Nonetheless, the GWRZ maps suggest that there is ample opportunity to implement aquifer recharge programs to reduce groundwater stress in the Korba aquifer.
ISSN:2073-4441
2073-4441
DOI:10.3390/w12092525