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Deciphering groundwater potential zones using AHP and geospatial modelling approaches: a case study from YSR district, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Abstract

Groundwater contamination has increased in recent years due to an escalation in the use of groundwater and increasing agricultural activities. The growing demand for groundwater has improved that it is necessary to identify zones in an environment where groundwater reserves are most probable to be accessible. The present study was carried out in the Kadapa region in Andhra Pradesh in India where extreme groundwater use for irrigation mainly has caused groundwater levels to decline. An AHP approach was used to assemble a groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) map for the study area. The map was compiled using ten thematic layers including: geomorphology (GM), lineament density (LD), geology, soil, slope, land use/land cover (LULC), drainage density (DD) and pre- and post-monsoon water level fluctuations. The groundwater fluctuation data were used to verify the GWPZ map, which was then associated with agricultural reliance on groundwater. The final map obtained divided the regions into five groups. These are areas with a very poor, poor, moderate, good, and very good prospectively. The area falling in the ‘very good’ zone is about 7.61 km2 (2.59%), which encompasses major in central portions of the study area. The northeast and central portions along with average patches fall in the ‘good’ zone, which encompasses an area of 78.34 km2 (26.68%). The ‘moderate’ zone is dominant in the study area which covers an area of 123.12 km2 (40.93%). The southwestern and north-western parts of eastern and southwest and central portions of the study area are characterised as having ‘poor’ 78.05 km2 (26.58%) and ‘very poor’ 6.52 km2 (2.22%) groundwater potential zones. The groundwater potential map was finally verified using the well yield data of 39 pumping wells, and the result was found satisfactory. Together, it is possible to define a practical method for explaining the potential for groundwater accessibility which finally allows for improved development and management of groundwater sources. Since the current technique is based on logical criteria and reasoning, it may be successfully used elsewhere with minor changes. Thus, the capabilities of remote sensing and GIS in delineating different ground water potential zones have been convincingly proven in the above study, particularly in such a diversified geological setting.

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Data availability statement

The raw data are obtained from NRSC Bhuvan and USGS website (https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/ and https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/) which is available free of cost and the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

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The authors wish to thank all who assisted in conducting this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India

    M. Ramachandra, K. Raghu Babu, B. Pradeep Kumar & M. Rajasekhar

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  1. M. Ramachandra
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  2. K. Raghu Babu
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Correspondence to M. Rajasekhar.

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Ramachandra, M., Babu, K.R., Kumar, B.P. et al. Deciphering groundwater potential zones using AHP and geospatial modelling approaches: a case study from YSR district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Energ Water Res 7, 259–269 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-021-00169-7

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