Master thesis

Hugo Leonel Pivaral Vivar (2016)
Application of GIS-MCDA analysis for the identification of suitable sites for managed aquifer recharge in Guatemala. Master thesis, Technische Universität Dresden, August 2016

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify ideal sites for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) implementation in Guatemala using different thematic layers, defining criteria parameters and overlaying resultant maps. Data for this study were collected from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food. The data consisted in editable maps files with information regarding Guatemalan’s geology, land use, slope, soil texture and superficial drainage. Using the Geographical Information System (GIS) and the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was possible to identify, classify and give different values to the maps. Using mathematical operations the different maps were added with specific values to generate a Guatemala’s suitability areas overview, which was the main result of the work. The results show that above 45% of the Guatemalan territory has a good to very good aptitude for implementing infiltration ponds, a technique of Managed Aquifer Recharge. The 7% has a moderate aptitude and the19% presents bad to poor qualification to the referred techniques. The 25% of the country is unsuitable due to different constraints and above 3% was not evaluated because of lack of information.