Geoinformatics And Geophysical Survey-based Estimation Of Best Groundwater Potential Sites Through Surface And Subsurface Indicators

Groundwater potential usually controlled by geomorphology,soil,total precipitation amount,nature of infiltration,lithology,and the structure.Groundwater potential mapping helps to locate the acquirers and optimum utilization that can damage the aquifer systems.Groundwater is the most important natural resource around the world,which needs new and advanced technologies for control and monitor.The investigation was to check the groundwater potential zones by integrated techniques of geoinformatics(Geographic Information System and remote sensing)and geophysical investigation through a vertical electrical sounding.The study area is a sedimentary basin,and sandstone is a major rock type with an appropriate amount of porosity and permeability.The other common rocks are siltstone,shales,claystone,and siwaliks.The Himalayan Frontal Thrust(HFT)is the prominent structural component of the territory.The average annual precipitation rate in the region is 1800 mm,and Rawalakot Nallah is the primary recharge source for groundwater.The predictive parameters and process utilized for this study and conceptual model generated based on a predictive model that was gathered from the literature review.Satellite data(Landsat 8,entinel 2,and SRTM)were used to generate different thematic maps.The remote sensing result has helped to conclude that the area has great groundwater potential through the determination and analysis of various thematic maps such as slope percent,lineaments density,land use/cover,drainage density,geology,roughness index,curvature,topographic wetness index and rainfall and then assigned suitable rank and weightage for final weight overlay analysis to identify the groundwater potential zones.The Groundwater potential map(P1)through remote sensing data was generated with good,moderate,and poor zones.This analysis revealed that 92.60% of the area categorized to be having good to moderate groundwater potential.Secondly,an electrical resistivity survey was done by VES using the Schlumberger electrode configuration,and 32 VES locations were selected to check the subsurface condition.The predominant curve types as Q-type,A-type,H-type,and Ktype.The apparent resistivity was calculated at 20 m,40m,and 60 m depth.The Groundwater potential map(P2)was generating through apparent resistivity maps which revealed the 90.625% of the area categorized to be having good to moderate groundwater potential.Dar_Zarrouk parameters were calculated to identify the subsurface aquifers and protective capacity rating.Higher transverse resistance values indicate the high transmissivity zones,and higher longitudinal conductance values indicate the lower aquifer transmissivity zones.Comparing both results,the region of good groundwater potential was delineated in the study region.