Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones of a Tropical River Basin (Kerala,India) Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

The present work accentuated the expediency of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) applications in groundwater studies, especially in the identification of groundwater potential zones in Ithikkara River Basin (IRB), Kerala, India. The information on geology, geomorphology, lineaments, slope and land use/land cover was gathered from Landsat ETM + data and Survey of India (SOI) toposheets of scale 1:50,000 in addition, GIS platform was used for the integration of various themes. The composite map generated was further classified according to the spatial variation of the groundwater potential. Four categories of groundwater potential zones namely poor, moderate, good and very good were identified and delineated. The hydrogeomorphological units like valley fills and alluvial plain and are potential zones for groundwater exploration and development and valley fills associated with lineaments is highly promising area for groundwater extraction. The spatial variation of the potential indicates that groundwater occurrence is controlled by geology, structures, slope and landforms.     

Remote Sensing and GIS Approach for Delineation of Groundwater Potential and Groundwater Quality Zones of Western Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India

Groundwater exploration in the Western Doon valley has been carried out to delineate the groundwater potential and groundwater quality zones suitable for domestic purposes based on the integrated use of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The Western Doon Valley, occupying broad synclinal troughs in the evolving fold-thrust system of sub-Himalaya, which is filled by post-Siwalik fluvial and debris flow deposits in the late Quaternary-Holocene. The Western Doon Valley area is bounded by the Mussoorie range in the north with 1800–2800 m elevation and in the south by young topographic relief of the frontal Siwalik range with ~800 m average elevation. Groundwater quality of Western Doon valley through pictorially representation in the GIS environment, it is inferred that calcium, magnesium, total hardness and nitrate at some locations above the desirable limit. The groundwater prospects map has been prepared by integrating the hydrogeomorphologic, land use/land cover from satellite data (IRS-ID, LISS-III data) slope, soil, drainage density, depth to water table of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods (unconfined aquifer), water table fluctuation, static water level (confined to semi-confined aquifers), specific capacity, discharge and drawdown maps using index overlay method in the GIS environment. The groundwater prospects are depicted in five categories Very high, high, moderate, low and very low (runoff zone) integrated with the groundwater quality zones which have been prepared from hydrochemical data. The results indicated that 16.82 % of the area is under Very high potential zone category with 16.11 % and 0.71 % of desirable and undesirable quality of groundwater and 18.65 %, 42.06 %, 6.96 % and 15.46 % classified as high, moderate, low and very low potential zones with desirable and undesirable quality of groundwater for domestic purposes. This study be useful for designing the groundwater prospects and management plan for the sustainable development of study area.     

Hydromorphogeology and Remote Sensing applications for groundwater exploration in agnigundala mineralised belt, Andhra Pradesh, India

Hydromorphogeological studies have been carried out around Agnigundala mineralised belt (longitude 70°.39′ - 16°.51′ and latitude 16°.2′ - 16°.15′) using remote sensing IRS-IB and SPOT data for ground water exploration. Based on erosional and depositional characters of various geomorphic units like Hills (Structural and denudational) Pediment, Buried pediment, plains and valley fills have been identified in various lithologies like granite, granite gneiss, biotite schist, phyllite,. quartzite and dolomite. The acclamations of individual geomorphic units through visual interpretation are verified from field data. The groundwater potentials of the individual geomorphologic units have been evaluated to obtain a complete hvdrogcological picture of the area. The field data have further helped in quanlifying various geomorphological units with reference to their potential for ground water occurrence.     

Groundwater prospects in a developing satellite township of Andhra Pradesh, India, using remote sensing techniques

Geomorphologic map prepared, using the remote sensing techniques and conventional methods, has been used to assess groundwater prospects in a developing satellite township of Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Complex. Andhra Pradesh, India. The geomorphic units delineated are denudational, fluvial and coastal. The study indicates that the fluvial and rolling plains are promising zones for groundwater occurrence. The denudational landforms are not considered as groundwater potential zones, whereas the groundwater occurring in the coastal plain is not suitable for any use, because of its brackish nature.     

Remote sensing and GIS study of the Ravipadu gabbro pluton,Prakasam alkaline province,Andhra Pradesh,India

Geospatial themes namely geology, topography and classified satellite image of the area in and around Ravipadu gabbro pluton (RGP), Prakasam alkaline province, Andhra Pradesh has been studied. The geological map of co-magmatic suite of RGP predominantly exposes olivine gabbro followed by olivine norite, troctolite and anorthosite. Graphic portrayal of the attributes such as mineralogical (modal) and chemical compositions of rocks of RGP is supplemented in the map display. The topography reveals that the terrain is flat and that it underwent differential erosion thereby exposing the deeply eroded RGP flanked on the North and South by two hilly mounds composed of cordierite-garnet gneiss (metapelite). Digital analysis of satellite image (IRS-1D) of the Ravipadu area, based on the spatial and spectral characteristics producing a classified image superposing on the vectorised geological map of the gabbroic body on a spatially referenced base, reveal a near perfect match of the two digital data products.     

Morphotectonics of the Area Around Renukoot,District Sonbhadra,U.P. Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

A part of Precambrian rocks of central India around Renukoot, district Sonbhadra, U.P., exhibits noteworthy differences in morphometric characteristics such as drainage density, mean stream length, bifurcation ratio and stream frequency across Son Narmada South Fault of the Son Narmada Lineament Zone. The Remote Sensing and GIS based present study explains the tectonic evolution of the terrain by dividing the area into two morphotectonic units namely Dudhi Morphotectonic Unit (DMU) and Mahakoshal Morphotectonic Unit (MMU) with the help of a proposed model. The study reveals that the landform features of the rocks of DMU and MMU of the study area are strongly controlled by underlying lithology and structures. The study also reveals different tectonic histories for the units until the last or the fourth phase of deformation dominated by shearing movement.     

Groundwater Prospect Zoning Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System: A Case Study in Dala-Renukoot Area, Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh

In the present study, ground water prospect zones in Dala-Renukoot area, in Sonebhadra district. Uttar Pradesh, India have been delineated, through integration of various thematic maps using ARC/INFO GIS. Thematic maps in respect of geology, geomorphology. slope, drainage, land-use/land cover, lineament and lineament intersection frequency were prepared on 1:50,000 scale using remote sensing and conventional methods. These maps were scanned and registered with reference to a basemap and are input as separate layers using ARC/INFO GIS. Each theme was assigned a weightage depending on its influence on the movement and storage of groundwater and each unit in every theme map is assigned a knowledge based ranking from 1 to 5 depending on its significance to groundwater occurrence. All the themes are overlaid, two at a time and the resultant composite coverage is classified into five groundwater prospect categories. This output map is correlated with the groundwater data collected in the field.     

Evaluation of Ground Water Potential Zones Using Remote Sensing Data -A Case Study of Gaimukh Watershed, Bhandara District, Maharashtra

In the present study efforts have been made to evaluate ground water potential zones for ground water targeting using IRS-IC LISS-II1 geo-coded data on 1:50,000 scale. The drainage, geology, geomorpholgoy and lineament information has been generated and integrated to evaluate hydro-geomorphological characteristics of the Gairnukh watershed, Bhandara district, Maharashtra for delineation of ground water potential zones. The analysis reveals that the deep valley fills with thick alluvium have excellent, shallow valley tills and deeply weathered pediplains with thin alluvium have very good and moderately weathered pediplains in the geological formations of Tirodi Gneiss and Sausar Groups have god ground water potential and these units are highly favourable for ground water exploration and development. Shallow weathered pediments in geological formations of Tirodi Gnesis and Sausar Groups are marked under moderate ground water potential zone. Shallow weathered pediplains in geological formations of Tiridi Gneiss and Sausor Groups are grouped under limited ground water potential category, except along the fractures/lineaments. Structural hills in geological formations of Tirodi Gneiss and Sausar Groups have poor ground water prospects. Inselbergs and Linear ridges in geological formations of Tirodi Gneiss are grouped under very poor ground water prospects zone. The good inter-relationship was found among the geological units, geomorphological units, lineament density, hydro-geomorphological zones and ground water yield data.     

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Groundwater Level and its Relation to Drainage and Intrusive Rocks in a part of Nalgonda District,Andhra Pradesh,India

Drainage and lineaments play an important role in the flow of groundwater. The objective of this study is to assess the groundwater level and its relation to drainage and lineaments in a hard rock region of a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. The region predominantly comprise of granites and gneisses. Groundwater level was measured in 42 representative wells in this study area from March 2008 to January 2010 once in every two months. Observed groundwater levels were compared with drainage and dyke density. Groundwater level fluctuation in low drainage density region is generally greater than those in moderate and high drainage density regions. The dykes do not act as barriers for groundwater flow as they are highly weathered. The quantity and flow of groundwater in this region is predominantly controlled by drainage density, intensity of weathering and presence of fractures. Thus the study indicate that the drainage density play a major role in groundwater level fluctuation and as the dykes are weathered, they do not affect the groundwater flow in this shallow unconfined aquifer.     

遥感技术在土地更新调查中的应用

对使用遥感影像辅助土地利用更新的可行性进行了分析,并以SPOT-5为例,探讨了遥感技术在土地更新调查中的应用。研究发现,经过几何纠正和数据融合处理的SOPT-5遥感正射影像图数据对线状地物和图斑的判别清晰,从而大大提高工作效率。     

Multispectral Remote Sensing Data Analysis and Application for Detecting Moats Around Medieval Settlements in South India

This work explores the potential of multispectral imagery in identifying dried and buried moats, and possibly any adjacent fortifications of medieval sites in South India. Vegetation marks in the form of geometrical patterns have been one of the key signatures indicating archaeological sites. To explore this three of well known sites from Karnataka in south India–Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura–were chosen as their historical accounts mention that they were townships which had circumscribing artefacts such as fort/wall or moats that at present are not easily detected from conventional exploration. These three sites belong to Hoysala dynasty, a period when a systematic town planning was followed based on cultural aspects such as the religion or faith followed by the inhabitants of respective sites. Traces of specific configuration of moats can be detected around each of them. The present work investigates the possibility of identifying these artefacts on space imageries through spatial and spectral distinction along with synoptic views and use of appropriate image processing and analysis techniques.     

高光谱遥感岩矿识别方法的研究进展

遥感技术应用于地质中的目的之一是分辫和识别出不同的岩石和矿物等地质体,高光谱分辫率遥感则可通过诊断性光谱特征对岩石或矿物成分及结构进行识别。随着高光谱矿物识别方法的不断发展,使得高光谱遥感技术在地学领域的应用由定性分析到定量识别成为可能,也为今后开展成像光谱遥感数据的广泛应用做好了技术准备。介绍了多种岩矿光谱分析的技术方法,并对不同方法的优、缺点及其应用场合进行分析。最后,总结并提出了下一步的工作方向。     

Remote Sensing Study of Sittampundi Anorthosite Complex,India

In the present study, The Landsat 7 ETM satellite data was collected for the Sittampundi anorthosites complex and digital image analysis was carried out. The anorthositic rocks available at Sittampundi complex is considered as an equivalent of lunar highland rocks. Hence, a remote sensing study comprises of image analysis and spectral profile analysis was carried out. The satellite data was digitally processed and generated various outputs like band combinations, color composites, stretched outputs, and PCA. The suitable processed outputs were identified for delineating the anorthosite complex. The diagnostic absorption features of reflectance spectra are the sensitive indicators of mineralogy and chemical composition of rocks, which are interest to the planetary scientists. The spectral profile of Landsat ETM plotted for pure and mixed anorthosite pixels and compared with the field and lab reflectance spectra. The percentages of image spectra vary from 30% to 60% for Sittampundi anorthosite. The spectral bands 2, 4 and 6 have low reflectance and bands 3 and 5 have high reflectance. The spectral range of bands 2,3,4,5 and 6 are 525 nm–605 nm, 630 nm–690 nm, 750 nm–900 nm, 1550 nm–1750 nm and 10400 nm–12500 nm respectively. The field spectral curve has weak absorptions at 650 nm and 1000 nm due to the iron transition absorption and low ca- pyroxene respectively available in the anorthosite, matching with the image spectra. However, hyperspectal image with narrow bandwidth could be more useful in selecting the suitable spectrum for remotely mapping the anorthosite region, as equivalent test site for lunar highland region.     

Estimation of Light Pollution Using Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Techniques

The primary focus of this research is to estimate light pollution in the urban and suburban regions of Pakistan with the help of satellite remote sensing (SRS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Analog maps and multi-temporal nighttime images of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) onboard Operational Linescan System (OLS) sensor were used in this study. A series of direct and indirect light pollution maps of the study area were generated and analyzed. The results of the study show that in the urban environment, light pollution is mainly due to artificial nightlight sources.     

利用遥感和GIS的方法预测外来入侵物种的潜在分布

外来物种入侵已经成为人类历史上最重大的生态事件之一,它直接威胁到了包括中国在内的世界上很多国家的经济、公众健康、农业生产力和生态的完整性。该研究利用遥感和GIS的方法进行了外来入侵物种的相对适生区分析,预测了外来物种-豚草在中国的潜在分布,并在信息理论的框架下建立了一种改进的加权平均逻辑回归模型。利用logit阈值和频率统计的方法对入侵物种的生境进行相对适应性划分,减小了生物多样性数据的不对称带来的影响。     

Assessment of Coastal Erosion Vulnerability around Midnapur-Balasore Coast, Eastern India using Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Digha coastal region in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal is potentially vulnerable to erosional hazard. The present study assessed the coastal erosion vulnerability along this 65 km long coastal stretch located between Rasulpur (Midnapur) and Subarnarekha (Balasore) estuarine complex, which had been subjected to anthropogenic intervention. Multi-resolution Landsat satellite imagery were used for shoreline change study from 1972 to 2010. During this period, accretion was recorded updrift of artificial structures, viz, seawall, groin, pylons and jetties; while, extensive erosion was recorded in downdrift areas of these structures. Assessment was subsequently divided into four categories ranging from “high erosion” to “accretion”. Data from several sources were compiled to map landuse and human activities in the coastal zone. This map was divided into four categories, ranging from “very high capital” to “no capital” landuse. Population density map of the surrounding coastal villages was generated using census data, and divided into four categories ranging from “high density area” to “very low density area”. Subsequently, coastal erosion vulnerability was assessed by combining coastal retreat with landuse type and population density in this study area using simple vector algebraic technique. Zones of vulnerability of different magnitude (viz., very high, high, moderate, and low) have been identified. Furthermore, calculation of “imminent collapse zone (ICZ)” shows that maximum values are around artificial structures and anthropogenic activities. The coastal erosion vulnerability map prepared from this study can be used for proper planning and management of this coastal region.