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Progressive improvement of DRASTICA and SI models for groundwater vulnerability assessment based on evolutionary
Masoumeh Zare1, Mohammad Reza Nikoo2, Banafsheh Nematollahi3
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|March 23, 2022
Summary
This study improved groundwater vulnerability models by adjusting parameters and weights. The enhanced DRASTICA model showed higher accuracy in predicting pollutant concentrations, aiding groundwater management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Hydrogeology
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Groundwater management is crucial for urban populations, requiring accurate vulnerability evaluation.
- The DRASTIC model is widely used but can be improved through parameter and weight adjustments.
- Groundwater pollution is a significant challenge in semi-arid regions like Shiraz plain, Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the DRASTIC model for groundwater vulnerability assessment.
- To compare the performance of modified DRASTIC-derived models (DRASTICA and SI) using optimization algorithms.
- To validate model improvements using actual pollutant concentrations (NO3, SO4, toxic metals).
Main Methods:
- Implemented two land use-based DRASTIC models: DRASTICA and Susceptibility Index (SI).
- Applied three calculation steps for rates and weights: original, modified (Wilcoxon tests), and optimized (Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization).
- Validated models using NO3, SO4, and toxic metal concentrations in Shiraz plain.
Main Results:
- The DRASTICA model, with modifications, demonstrated higher accuracy in predicting contaminant concentrations compared to the SI model.
- Improved DRASTICA showed a strong correlation with NO3 (0.8) and toxic metals (0.7).
- Optimized models significantly enhanced correlation with toxic metal concentrations.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework for modifying DRASTIC model parameters and weights improves groundwater vulnerability assessment accuracy.
- Enhanced DRASTICA is a more reliable tool for managing groundwater resources and mitigating pollution.
- This approach offers a progressive improvement strategy for rating-based groundwater vulnerability techniques.
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