Modification of the GALDIT framework using statistical and entropy models to assess coastal aquifer vulnerability

Recently, groundwater vulnerability assessment of coastal aquifers using the GALDIT framework has been widely used to investigate the process of groundwater contamination. This study proposes multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) entropy and Wilcoxon non-parametric statistical test methods to improve the vulnerability index of coastal aquifers. The rates and weights of this framework were modified using Wilcoxon non-parametric and entropy methods, respectively, and a combined framework of GALDIT-entropy, Wilcoxon-GALDIT, and Wilcoxon-entropy was obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients between the mentioned vulnerability indices and total-dissolved solids (TDS) of 0.51, 0.66 and 0.75, respectively, were obtained. According to the results, the Wilcoxon-entropy index had the highest correlation with TDS. Generally, it can be concluded that the proposed frameworks provide a more accurate estimation of vulnerability distribution in coastal aquifers.