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Development of GIS-based fuzzy pattern recognition model (modified DRASTIC model) for groundwater vulnerability to pollution assessment

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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, GIS-based 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.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the University Grants Commission of New Delhi Grant F.N. 39-965/2010 (SR) dated 12.01.2011. Authors are thankful to the editor and reviewers for their valuable suggestions to improve the paper to its best.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Science and Engineering Group, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, 835215, Jharkhand, India

    J. Iqbal, A. K. Gorai & G. Pathak

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, VNIT Nagpur, Nagpur, 440010, Maharashtra, India

    Y. B. Katpatal

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  1. J. Iqbal
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  2. A. K. Gorai
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  3. Y. B. Katpatal
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  4. G. Pathak
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Correspondence to A. K. Gorai.

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Iqbal, J., Gorai, A.K., Katpatal, Y.B. et al. Development of GIS-based fuzzy pattern recognition model (modified DRASTIC model) for groundwater vulnerability to pollution assessment. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 12, 3161–3174 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-014-0693-x

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