A Review of Integrated RS and GIS Technique in Groundwater Potential Zone Mapping

Abstract

Groundwater is important and dependable source of water for various utilization in India. Productivity through groundwater is quite high as compared to surface water, but groundwater resources have not yet been properly exploited. Since the ground water is a hidden resource, a number of parameters like geology, lithology, geomorphology, soils, land use/cover, drainage pattern, lineaments which controls occurrence and movement of groundwater are to be considered and analyzed based on deductive techniques involving complex processes for groundwater potential zones mapping. Remote sensing (RS) and GIS based groundwater studies along with field investigations is found to be effective tool for complex groundwater studies. This review paper highlights RS and GIS technologies and their applications in groundwater potential zones mapping by comparing the work of other investigators in this field. The present study revealed that models used to calculate Ground Water Potential Index (GWPI) vary from one study to another. Also selection and weightages of thematic layers used are arbitrary and based on personal judgement. So it is necessary to develop standard model for this study, which will certainly enable us to develop and manage precious groundwater resource.