Assessment of subsurface water resources utilising geoelectric techniques

Abstract

Groundwater, defined as water found beneath the Earth's surface within water-saturated zones, is a critical resource, especially in arid regions where surface water is less reliable. This study evaluates groundwater potential in the Zanjanrood catchment and Tarom region using geoelectric techniques integrated with analytical hierarchy process and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methodologies. Geoelectric methods, such as resistivity and induced polarisation, were employed to identify aquifer characteristics and validate TOPSIS-based potential maps. Results indicate significant differences in groundwater potential between the two regions due to their unique geological and topographical features. In Zanjanrood, areas with exceptional potential cover 43.4% of the region, while in Tarom, only 0.26% exhibits high potential, with the majority classified as extremely poor. Validation with geoelectric surveys and production well distribution confirmed the accuracy of the TOPSIS model. These findings provide valuable insights for sustainable water resource management in the studied areas.