A Case Study of Remote Sensing and GIS Methods & Techniques for Groundwater Exploration

The study area

The satellite data

The groundwater data

The methodology used

Results

Dr D. Rokos, I. Galanos

This example shows how Remote Sensing and GIS methods and techniques may be used in hydrogeological exploration. It is based on a research project carried out by the Remote Sensing Laboratory of NTUA, Greece.

Groundwater is by definition subterranean. Most Remote Sensing methods and techniques have no penetrating capabilities beyond the uppermost layer. However, satellite imagery can be a valuable asset in the early stages of groundwater exploration.

Vast areas of the world consist of hard rocks (basement complexes) or limestone terrain, where water is restricted to secondary permeability. In this example, lineaments and "fracture traces" recognized on enhanced TM images, are used to try to identify target drilling sites for groundwater exploration.

Boreholes located on or near lineaments may be expected to be more successful relative to those sited in inter-lineament zones. This is considered to be the result of increased permeability due to the fracturing and/or weathering along these zones. Naxos, an Aegean island of Greece was picked to be the study area for the development of the methodology described here.

 

 

The research project

Bibliography