Assessing Groundwater Contamination Vulnerability in Urban Coastal Settings Using Multi-Parameter GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques

Project Abstract

Groundwater is a critical yet increasingly stressed resource in urban coastal settings, where anthropogenic pressures and saline intrusion threaten quality and accessibility. This study presents an integrative assessment of groundwater contamination vulnerability by combining multi-parameter GIS analysis with advanced remote sensing techniques to map, quantify, and interpret spatial patterns of risk across an urban coastline. The research deploys a comprehensive data fusion framework that synthesizes hydrogeological, geochemical, land-use, population, infrastructure, and climatic variables into a cohesive vulnerability index. Core data layers include aquifer properties (porosity, hydraulic conductivity, groundwater levels), soil and vadose zone characteristics, proximity to contaminant sources (industrial zones, wastewater facilities, landfills, agricultural inputs), hydrochemical indicators (salinity, heavy metals, nitrates, pesticides), and proxies for anthropogenic pressure (urban density, traffic corridors, drainage networks). Remote sensing contributes through terrain morphology, land cover change detection, surface water/groundwater interactions, and thermal emissivity insights to infer groundwater recharge and extraction dynamics. Advanced GIS techniques such as multi-criteria decision analysis, analytic hierarchy process, and entropy-weighted methods are employed to derive a spatially explicit vulnerability index, subsequently validated with field sampling, borehole logs, and time-series groundwater quality records. The methodology accounts for scale dependency, uncertainty quantification, and sensitivity analysis, ensuring robust risk delineation under current and projected climate and urban growth scenarios. Results reveal heterogeneous vulnerability patterns, with the highest susceptibility localized at coastal wedges, dune-beach interfaces, and peri-urban aquifers subjected to saltwater intrusion, leaky infrastructure, and intensive extraction. Key drivers include aquifer confinement, recharge variability, nitrate loading from urban runoff, and salinity gradients modulated by sea-level rise. The study demonstrates that incorporating multi-parameter, remotely sensed indicators significantly enhances early warning capabilities and helps prioritize mitigation actions such as targeted monitoring networks, managed aquifer recharge, infrastructure retrofitting, and land-use planning to minimize contaminant transport pathways. Policy implications emphasize integrated coastal zone management, cross-sector collaboration between water, urban planning, and environmental agencies, and the need for dynamic, this-year-to-decade planning frameworks that adapt to evolving urban morphology and climate risks. The developed methodology is transferable to other urban coastal regions facing similar hydrogeological challenges, providing a replicable blueprint for vulnerability assessment that supports sustainable water security in the face of rapid urbanization and environmental change. This work contributes to the scientific understanding of groundwater vulnerability in coastal mega-cities and offers a practical toolset for stakeholders to diagnose, communicate, and mitigate contamination risks effectively.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A straightforward, hands-on study of how groundwater near urban coasts gets affected by nearby activities, using simple maps and satellite data to look at where contamination might be more likely to occur.

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The Problem It Addresses

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Many cities rely on groundwater, but pollution from homes, industry, and sea water intrusion can threaten supplies. There is a need for an easy way to identify vulnerable areas before contamination becomes a big issue.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Learn how to combine map data with basic satellite information to spot risky zones.
2. Identify the main factors that influence groundwater contamination near coasts.
3. Create a simple vulnerability map that shows which places are most at risk.
4. Test the method in a real urban coastal area using publicly available data.
5. Explain findings in a way that city planners and residents can understand.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1) Gather easy-to-access data such as land use, rainfall, soil type, and shallow groundwater levels. 2) Learn basic map-making and data interpretation with GIS and satellite images. 3) Combine data into a simple model that highlights vulnerable zones. 4) Validate results with any local reports or field notes. 5) Prepare a clear map and explanation for non-experts.

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Expected Outcome

A user-friendly vulnerability map for an urban coastal area, plus a short guide on reducing risks and improving groundwater protection. The project should offer a practical method that can be replicated elsewhere.