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Spatial Multiobjective Optimization of Agricultural Conservation Practices using a SWAT Model and an Evolutionary Algorithm
Published on: December 9, 2012
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Managerial sustainability indices for improving the coastal groundwater decisions by a parallel
Mohammad Mostafaei-Avandari1, Hamed Ketabchi2, Fatemeh Shaker-Soureh1
1Department of Water Engineering and Management, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 14115-336, Tehran, Iran.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|November 12, 2022
Summary
Optimal management strategies were developed to combat seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. By adjusting groundwater extraction patterns, significant reductions in net recharge were observed, aiding water resource management.
Area of Science:
- Hydrology
- Water Resource Management
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Seawater intrusion degrades groundwater quality in coastal zones, exacerbated by aquifer overexploitation.
- Coastal aquifer management is critical for maintaining freshwater resources.
- Overexploitation of coastal aquifers leads to significant groundwater quality degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal management strategies for preventing seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers.
- To apply a simulation-optimization model to the Ajabshir aquifer for a 20-year planning horizon.
- To introduce and evaluate novel sustainability indices for groundwater management.
Main Methods:
- A parallel simulation-optimization decision model was employed.
- The model was applied to the Ajabshir aquifer (Iran) from 2015-2034.
- Four new sustainability indices (protection, reliability, vulnerability, aquifer problem area) were used as objective functions.
Main Results:
- Management strategies were solved under varying groundwater elevation and salinity conditions.
- Adjusting extraction patterns led to a decrease in net recharge, particularly from October to March.
- The study identified high-risk areas for improved planning in coastal settings.
Conclusions:
- The developed simulation-optimization model and sustainability indices provide effective tools for managing coastal aquifers.
- Adjusting extraction patterns is crucial for mitigating seawater intrusion and preserving groundwater quality.
- This approach aids water managers in identifying vulnerable areas and implementing targeted interventions.
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