Use of GIS for optimalization of human activity in a catchment area: An example of the Beauce region (France)

The quality of groundwater often represents a limiting factor for its exploitation. The chemical composition of groundwater is a very complicated process involving geochemical, hydrochemical, and biochemical interaction between the water and the rock with which it is in contact. In addition, as a result of human activity, the deterioration of groundwater quality is a serious problem. The use of a geographic information system (GIS) combining various data may help solve this problem. The article describes multicriterion analysis applied to the Beauce basin in France, which is a part of the SAGE project of the BRGM Orléans.