JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Depletion and consequently reduction in groundwater storage results in numerous harmful environmental effects such as reduction in yields of wells, land subsidence, lowering of water quality and also reduction in storage of surface water bodies having hydraulic relation with aquifers. In this research, groundwater depletion in the Najafabad subcatchment aquifer located in the GavKhouni basin, Isfahan province was evaluated. These studies indicate groundwater depletion and deterioration of the aquifer water quality during the recent years. Zayandehroud River had been effluent and it has recently converted to influent and dominantly recharges the aquifer. The groundwater depletion in this region has been due to wells overpumping and it does not comply with the uniform rainfall variations in recent years. According to the shaly aquifer bedrock, the groundwater depletion cannot be due to leakage through the bedrock. Moreover, the groundwater quality has been deteriorated in all parts of the aquifer, especially in the regional drawdown cones resulted from recently groundwater overexploitation by deep wells. The river leakage to the aquifer is predicted to be persistent and increasing according to results of the research and it is necessary to limit the groundwater extraction and change the average surface water inflow to the area to mid 1370s condition.

Land subsidence as a hydrogeomorphology event is currently occurring dangerously in many plains of the country due to uncontrolled groundwater extraction from water bearing layers, and accordingly monitoring and studying this phenomenon seems to be necessary. In this study, land subsidence rate of the Najafabad aquifer was determined through the Differential Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) processing of the ASAR and PALSAR radar data and the results were validated by comparying with the differential leveling and groundwater level drowdown data. Processing of the ASAR sensor data estimates the land subsidence in the Najafabad plain at an average annual subsidence rate of 6.7 cm and a total of 41 cm during 6 years period and processing of the PALSAR data suggests an annual rate of 7.7 cm and total subsidence of 30 cm during 4 years period. Most of the occured displacements are related to the Tiranchi, Koushk, Ghahderijan, Goldasht and Falavarjan cities. The simultaneous groundwater level data with acquisition date of the radar satellite images between 2002 and 2014 shows a drawdown ranging from 0.5 to 46.5 meters in the south and east to north of the Najafabad city consistent with the estimated land subsidence areas.The DInSAR processing of the PALSAR data has led to a more accurate results with higher spatial resolution. Results of the radar data processing can be employed for the hazard zonation directly utilized for management and planning of control and preventive measures.