Multiobjective management of a contaminated aquifer for agricultural use

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Keshari, Ashok K.;Datta, Bithin
Abstract

Planned utilization of groundwater from a contaminated aquifer requires development of management strategies that determine the spatial distribution of withdrawal for allocation, as well as for control of water quality. Minimization of groundwater allocation for different purposes, and the control of contamination in the aquifer by a specified pumping strategy constitute a management problem with two conflicting objectives. In order to demonstrate possible tradeoffs between water quality control objective and minimum groundwater withdrawal objective, a multiobjective optimization model is formulated. The solution of the model specifies a strategy to control pollution distribution in the aquifer as per agricultural needs, and also evolve an optimal allocation policy to statisfy agricultural demands. Pareto-optimal solutions representing the tradeoff between the two noncommensurate objectives are established. The formulated model uses the embedding technique for simulating the flow and the transport processes in the aquifer. The constraint method is used to transform the multiobjective optimization model into a single objective optimization model. The resulting model is solved using the exterior penalty function method in conjunction with the Hooke-Jeeves method. The proposed model is easily adoptable for various agroclimatic regions and cropping patterns. For illustrative purposes, the model is applied to a specified study area. Although solutions of the model are presented and discussed as per agricultural requirements in terms of both quality and quantity, solutions for other kinds of water demands can be obtained using the same model with minor modifications. Results show that an optimal pumping strategy can be effectively utilized for controlling contamination in the aquifer.

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Volume

10

ISBN/ISSN

1573-1650

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Issue

5

Pages Count

23

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Publisher

Springer

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DOI

10.1007/BF00452952