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Development of GIS-based fuzzy pattern recognition model (modified DRASTIC model) for groundwater vulnerability to pollution assessment
Iqbal, J.; Gorai, A. K.; Katpatal, Y. B. & Pathak, G.
Abstract
Groundwater is one of the main sources of
drinking water in Ranchi district and hence its vulnerability
assessment to delineate areas that are more susceptible to
contamination is very important. In the present study, GISbased
fuzzy pattern recognition model was demonstrated
for groundwater vulnerability to pollution assessment. The
model considers the seven hydrogeological factors [depth
to water table (D), net recharge (R), aquifer media (A), soil
media (S), topography (T), impact of vadose zone (I), and
hydraulic conductivity (C)] that affect and control the
groundwater contamination. The model was applied for
groundwater vulnerability assessment in Ranchi district,
Jharkhand, India and validated by the observed nitrate
concentrations in groundwater in the study area. The performance
of the developed model is compared to the
standard DRASTIC model. It was observed that GIS-based
fuzzy pattern recognition model have better performance
than the standard DRASTIC model. Aquifer vulnerability
maps produced in the present study can be used for environmental
planning and predictive groundwater management.
Further, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to
evaluate the influence of single parameters on aquifer
vulnerability index.
Keywords
Groundwater vulnerability; Ranchi district; Fuzzy pattern; Optimization; Sensitivity analysis; GIS
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