Optimal Solution for Increasing Groundwater Pumping by Integrating MODFLOW-USG and Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm: A Case Study of Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt
Extensive use of groundwater causes over-exploitation of aquifers globally. Hence, this study aims at introducing a simulation-optimization (S-O) framework of the MODFLOW-USG model and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for groundwater sustainability in water-stressed regions. This S-O framework was applied in the Wadi El-Natrun basin, Egypt, which suffers from a continuous drop in groundwater heads. After successful calibration, the simulation model was used to predict the changes in groundwater heads due to the increase in the existing pumping rates by 25% (Scenario No. 1) and 50% (Scenario No. 2) till 2030. Then, the PSO algorithm was integrated with the MODFLOW-USG model through a MATLAB environment to get the optimum discharges under specified drawdown values in groundwater heads. The results of the simulation model exhibited that the existing total extraction rate from the study domain was equal to 227000?m3/day (Base value). By 2030, increasing the existing pumping rates due to the two scenarios might have a substantial effect on lowering the groundwater levels in the study area, especially the southwestern portions. Based on the S-O results, the optimum overall pumping rates were expected to be 266556?m3/day (117% of the base value) and 307413?m3/day (135% of the base value) to assign drawdowns in groundwater heads to be less than or equal to the median values at all wells, respectively. The proposed S-O methodology could be useful for the optimal exploitation of groundwater in the study area and other comparable basins worldwide to partially meet sustainable development goals (SDGs).
各種検索
サポート
ヘルプ