A Study of Characteristics of Ground Water Based on Remote Sensing

The traditional use of remotely sensed image interpretation lies in the qualitative characterization of hydrogeological mapping units and the detection of specific features. Most applications pertain to crystalline basements, limestones and Quaternary volcanic terrain. More recent developments pertain to groundwater emergence in the discharge areas of groundwater flow systems, using thermal and multispectral imagery, and to the management of groundwater. For the latter, spatial recharge patterns and contamination assessment will focus attention on defining the parameters of vegetation and terrain mapping units and on monitoring hydrogeological relevant surface features embedded in spatial groundwater models. In this study, geographic information systems (GIS) tools and remote sensing data were used to prepare and analyze digital layers of lithology, geological structure, drainage and topography to detect the most promising sites for groundwater exploration. Different GIS functions of intersection and spatial query were then applied to produce the final map for the most promising sites for groundwater exploration. The possibility of using digital classification of remote sensing data for mapping the most promising sites for groundwater exploration was also investigated by applying unsupervised classification to a Landsat ETM+ image.