Identification of the Groundwater Potential Recharge Zones Using MCDM Models: Full Consistency Method (FUCOM), Best Worst Method (BWM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is considered being the most available natural resources for different water use. However, it is being limited in quantity. As such, its sustainable development and managementent depends on based on various criteria (e.g. climatic conditions, scale, aquifer properties, etc.). This study presents three multi-criteria index approaches (Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Best-Worst Method (BWM), and Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) to classify groundwater potential maps in the Sarakhs Plain in North-east Iran. In this study, 10 parameters (layers) that affect groundwater potential recharge mapping (GPRM) are used using ArcGIS10.2. These layers includeground surface elevation, surface slope, aspect, relative slope position (RSP), plan curvature, topographic wetness index (TWI), terrain ruggedness index (TRI), drainage density, landuse, and lithology. These layers and their features were assigned properweights based on the conceptual frameworks of AHP, BWM, and FUCOM techniques, and then using a weighted overlay summation process (WOSP), final maps of groundwater potential in Sarakhs plain are obtained. The developed groundwater potential maps are classified into four classes, including low, medium, high, and very-high. The results show that among the 10 driving parameters, land use, and lithology have the highest importance and the surface slope has the lowest importance in the mapping of groundwater potential recharge. The best groundwater potential zones are concentrated in northeast and southeast, central parts, and a few parts in the areas of the western regionof the Sarakhs plain due to its nearly gentle slopes with quaternary alluvial and agriculture land and lower drainage density. The obtained results are of high value for decision-makers in the Sarakhs plain in specific and for entire Iran in general to apply sustainable groundwater utilization plans.

Automated summary

This study classified groundwater potential maps in the Sarakhs Plain using AHP, BWM, and FUCOM techniques, resulting in final maps obtained through a weighted overlay summation process. The importance of land use and lithology in mapping groundwater potential recharge was highlighted, providing valuable information for decision-makers in the region and beyond.