Assessment of Groundwater Potential Zones in the Lankaran Hydrogeological Basin (Azerbaijan) Using GIS and AHP Techniques

Abstract

The Lankaran hydrogeological basin, located in the southeastern part of Azerbaijan, is a vital agricultural region characterized by diverse topographical and climatic features, transitioning from humid subtropical foothills to semi-arid flat plains. The primary objective of this study is to identify and delineate groundwater potential zones across the foothill and plain areas of five administrative districts (Astara, Lankaran, Masalli, Jalilabad, and Bilasuvar) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Five thematic layers influencing groundwater occurrence—Lithology, Precipitation, Slope, Drainage Density, and Elevation (DEM)—were prepared and assigned weights of 35%, 25%, 20%, 15%, and 5%, respectively, based on their hydrogeological significance. The Weighted Overlay Analysis method was employed to integrate these parameters. The results classify the basin into four distinct groundwater potential zones: 'Low', 'Moderate', 'High', and 'Very High'. The visual distribution reveals that 'Very High' potential zones are strictly concentrated along riverbeds and drainage networks. 'High' potential zones dominate the southern plains, while 'Moderate' zones are widespread across the semi-arid northern sections. The generated map provides a reliable scientific framework for sustainable water resource management and agricultural planning in the region