A hybrid approach with SWARA and COPRAS methods in ranking management strategies to control seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Former M.Sc. Student in Water and Hydraulic Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran.

2 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Water resources research, Water research institute, Ministry of energy, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Water and Hydraulic Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran.

Abstract

One of the problems in coastal aquifers is seawater intrusion into fresh-water aquifers. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge and management of groundwater resources in such aquifers is very important for sustainable development. In this regard, the present study has been prepared with the aim of providing a framework for ranking management alternatives and selecting the best alternative for controlling the seawater intrusion in the Tajan coastal aquifer. Initially, the considered criteria including technical, economic, social and environmental criteria were weighted using SWARA method and their importance was determined. The results of SWARA method showed that the environmental criterion with a weight of 0.28 is more important than other criteria. Then, The COPRAS method was used to rank and select the top management alternatives. Based on the results of the COPRAS method, the alternatives of 5% reduction in pumping, 10% reduction in pumping and artificial recharge were ranked first to third. To evaluate the effect of the best alternative on salinity movement using SEAWAT model, first groundwater level changes and salinity concentration were simulated with MODFLOW and MT3DMS models, respectively. The results of the implementation of the best alternative using the SEAWAT model showed a decrease in salinity wedge movement.

Keywords


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