Conjunctive Use of Well-Log and Remote Sensing Data for Interpreting Shallow Aquifer Geometry in Ganga Plains

Study of aquifer geometry is essential for proper development and utilization of groundwater resources. In this study, a systematic approach has been made in the analysis of shallow aquifer geometry in the western Ganga Plains, Uttar Pradesh, by integrating the well-Log and remote sensing data. The study includes mapping of neotectonic lineaments from remote sensing data, and determination of aquifer depth and lithological details from the well-Log data. The well-Log data indicate that the region has varying thickness of alluvium composed of alternating sand, kankar and clay strata. By integrating the remote sensing and well-Log data sets, sub-Surface geological sections have been developed to interpret the aquifer geometry. The aquifers are found to show significant variation in nature and geometry from place to place. At some places, the lineaments on remote sensing images are in conformity with faults interpreted from well-Log data, whereas at others, buried faults have been interpreted. The aquifers formed by paleochannels is particularly striking, being unconfined in nature and mainly consisting of medium to coarse sand, along with pebbles, cobbles and kankar.