Delineating potential sites for artificial groundwater recharge using a mathematical approach to remote sensing and GIS techniques

Abstract

The management of available groundwater resources is vital in arid and semi-arid regions. Artificial recharging should be integrated with groundwater resources to maintain long-term water sustainability. This study applied the cost-effective and time-saving techniques of remote sensing and GIS to delineate the groundwater recharge potential in the Al-Sarhan Basin, located in arid and semiarid regions of Jordan, by following the weighted linear combination method. The results revealed three distinct groundwater potential recharge zones (low, moderate, and high potential zones). High to moderate groundwater recharge potential zones occupied 75% of the Al-Sarhan area with considerable artificial recharge capacity because of the suitable geology, soil texture, drainage density, and flat terrain conditions. The maps produced also depicted that 25% of the Al-Sarhan area possesses low groundwater recharging potential. The model further revealed that 93% of the wells in the study area were located in potential groundwater recharge zones.