A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing aquifer susceptibility of Safdarabad Tehsil, Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, Pakistan

• Published in: Modeling earth systems and environment Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 995 - 1005
• Main Authors: Aslam, Bilal, Ismail, Sharjeel, Ali, Ibtisam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquifers; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth System Sciences; Ecosystems; Environment; Geographical information systems; Groundwater; Groundwater data; Groundwater quality; Groundwater recharge; Hydrogeology; Hydrologic data; Land use; Land use management; Land use planning; Math. Appl. in Environmental Science; Mathematical Applications in the Physical Sciences; Natural resource management; Natural resources; Original Article; Physics; Resource management; Soil; Statistics for Engineering; Vadose water; Vulnerability; Water depth; Water pollution; Water quality; Watersheds; Punjab Pakistan; Pakistan; Geographic information system (GIS); Vulnerability; DRASTIC
• ISSN: 2363-6203; 2363-6211
• DOI: 10.1007/s40808-020-00735-8

Assessment of the vulnerability of groundwater can be defined as the area’s rate of incorporation capacity to the impurity from surface overlying the aquifer. This study is of profound importance with regard to natural resource management and land use planning. This study deals with determining shallow aquifer vulnerability by using a DRASTIC model based on GIS in Tehsil Safdarabad of District Sheikhupura in Punjab. Within a local watershed, the quality of groundwater deteriorates as a result of various physical and environmental activities. This research, therefore, uses a combination of GIS and DRASTIC to estimate groundwater assessment. Seven hydrogeological data layers are being utilized as input to the model. The layers comprise Depth of water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone and Hydraulic Conductivity. DRASTIC index results would assist in determining pollution vulnerable zones. Research indicates about 11.32% of the research area is highly exposed, 34.4% is at moderate risk and 54.2% is at low risk exposure. Northern, northwestern and middle sectors of the area under consideration exhibited low aquifer susceptibility, whereas some areas in the southern and northeastern parts were highly vulnerable.