Deciphering groundwater potential zones in hard rock terrain using geospatial technology

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Hydrogeology
• Geoinformatics

Background:

• Groundwater assessment is crucial for resource management.
• Remote sensing and GIS are vital tools for hydrogeological studies.
• Hard rock terrains present unique challenges for groundwater exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate groundwater potential zones using an integrated remote sensing and GIS approach.
• To develop a methodology for groundwater resource assessment in hard rock areas.
• To aid in the planning and management of groundwater resources.

Main Methods:

• Digitized vector maps of geomorphology, geology, land use/land cover, lineament, relief, and drainage were converted to raster data.
• Spatial data manipulation included considering the curvature of the study area.
• A weighted overlay analysis was performed using theme and class weights in GIS Raster Calculator.

Main Results:

• Favorable groundwater prospective zones were identified and delineated.
• The methodology provided a statistical model for assessing groundwater prospects.
• The results highlight areas suitable for groundwater exploration and development.

Conclusions:

• The integrated remote sensing and GIS approach is effective for delineating groundwater potential zones in hard rock terrains.
• This method aids in sustainable groundwater resource planning and management.
• The study provides valuable insights for hydrogeological research and water resource conservation.