Using GIS and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in order to map arsenic pollution zonation in groundwater based on the influence of geological factors in the Red River Delta

Abstract

    Quaternary sediment aquifers play an important role for water supply in the Red river delta plain. Arsenic pollution has been investigated and published in many publications. However, degree and its distribution of arsenic pollution are still not comprehensive. This paper presents coupling the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and GIS to map arsenic zonation in Quaternary sediment aquifers. There are 4 geological factors which greatly affect the arsenic concentration in groundwater that have been analysed as follows: Sedimentary facies; Sediments age; Tectonic activities (uplift and subsidence earth surface) and Total dissolved solid (TDS) of pore water in aquifers. Map of arsenic pollution zonation in Quaternary sediment aquifers is verified consistently with previous investigation result. This map is reliable information for water planning, exploitation and utilization. Research results also show that geological processes and geological age have a great influence on arsenic concentrations in Quaternary sediment aquifers in the Red river delta plain.