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A Spatial Non-Stationary Based Site Selection of Artificial Groundwater Recharge: a Case Study for Semi-Arid Regions

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Abstract

In this study, a methodology was developed for AGR assessment, including site selection, non-stationary kriging, numerical modeling, and the long-term supply and demand sustainability. To achieve this, spatial variations maps of effective parameters were prepared using kriging techniques along with the Fuzzy logic method and GIS analytical functions for AGR site selection. To estimate how AGR is changing the water balance in the region, the Soil Water Assessment Tools (SWAT) hydrological model was coupled with an in house 2-D finite difference groundwater model. Based on the SWAT model results, by applying AGR, infiltration increased dramatically from 101 to 146 mm. In order to improve the model’s accuracy, transmissivity was regionalized through non-stationary kriging by splitting the region into sub-regions where the characteristics of each variogram are different. By using non-stationary kriging, the statistic R2 from single variogram to multiple variograms increased from 0.27 to 0.95, and the groundwater level was improved by 15%. Furthermore, for evaluating the sustainability of water resources, an index called Planning for Sustainable Index (PSUI) was utilized to measure AGR effects. PSUI, after applying AGR without changing in water withdrawal, was increased from 0.11 to 0.17 during 27-years time horizon. The case study is the aquifer in Qorveh Dehgolan sub-basin in Kordestan province, Iran. The results indicate that by applying AGR to the region, the rate of groundwater level reduction would decrease significantly for about 30%. However, for preventing the groundwater depletion, AGR should be accompanied by 50% reduction in withdrawals/pumping. The results show the significant value of utilizing a platform to assess the attributes and benefits of AGR. The proposed algorithm can be used for other geographical settings.

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Acknowledgments

Part of this paper about AGR site selection (the first step) is presented at the ASCE World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2018. Special thanks to Ms. Z. Heydari and Mr. A. Zoghi for their text editing and for making the paper more readable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    M. Karamouz & J. Teymoori

  2. School of Environmental Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1417466191, Iran

    M. A. Olyaei

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  1. M. Karamouz
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  2. J. Teymoori
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  3. M. A. Olyaei
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Contributions

M.Karamouz: Development of original concept, scope of the work and modeling setup; SI framework, spatial nonstationarity application; writing, review and editing. J.Teymoori: data and GIS maps preparation, code writing and model calibration; data acquisition and preparation, variogram/kriging analysis, writing- Initial draft preparation, Software application. M.A.Olyaei: Conceptualization, program debugging, and validation; site selection and kriging analysis, Text editing; subsequent draft preparations.

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Correspondence to M. Karamouz.

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Karamouz, M., Teymoori, J. & Olyaei, M.A. A Spatial Non-Stationary Based Site Selection of Artificial Groundwater Recharge: a Case Study for Semi-Arid Regions. Water Resour Manage 35, 963–978 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-020-02762-7

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