Assessing water quality in rivers with fuzzy inference systems: A case study

In recent years, fuzzy-logic-based methods have demonstrated to be appropriated to address uncertainty and subjectivity in environmental problems. In the present study, a methodology based on fuzzy inference systems (FIS) to assess water quality is proposed. A water quality index calculated with fuz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment international 2006-08, Vol.32 (6), p.733-742
Main Authors: Ocampo-Duque, William, Ferré-Huguet, Núria, Domingo, José L., Schuhmacher, Marta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytic hierarchy process
Applied sciences
Continental surface waters
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Exact sciences and technology
Freshwater
Fuzzy inference systems
Fuzzy Logic
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Natural water pollution
Oxygen - analysis
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Rivers - chemistry
Rivers - microbiology
Spain
Water management
Water Pollutants - analysis
Water quality standards
Water resources
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:In recent years, fuzzy-logic-based methods have demonstrated to be appropriated to address uncertainty and subjectivity in environmental problems. In the present study, a methodology based on fuzzy inference systems (FIS) to assess water quality is proposed. A water quality index calculated with fuzzy reasoning has been developed. The relative importance of water quality indicators involved in the fuzzy inference process has been dealt with a multi-attribute decision-aiding method. The potential application of the fuzzy index has been tested with a case study. A data set collected from the Ebro River (Spain) by two different environmental protection agencies has been used. The current findings, managed within a geographic information system, clearly agree with official reports and expert opinions about the pollution problems in the studied area. Therefore, this methodology emerges as a suitable and alternative tool to be used in developing effective water management plans.
ISSN:0160-4120
1873-6750
DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2006.03.009