Integration of Remote Sensing, Lithologic and Geoelectric Parameters for Groundwater Potential Evaluation Using VIKOR and Fuzzy-VIKOR Models: A Case Study from Basement Terrain in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

In response to escalating water demands resulting from rapid population growth and extensive development, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has acquired a new site, Eleyewo, along the Akure-Owo Expressway. This study aims to comprehensively assess Eleyewo'sgroundwater potential, essential for current and future water resource planning. Our methodology combines remote sensing, geological analysis, and geophysical techniques, including geoelectric sounding. We examine eight critical groundwater potential conditioning factors (GWPCF), such as topography, lithology, and aquifer properties. Geoelectric sounding reveals four subsurface layers with varying resistivity and thickness. We assign weights to GWPCFs using VIKOR and Fuzzy-VIKOR methods, and rank them to prioritize their influence. Employing ArcGIS, we create groundwater potentiality maps, categorizing the area into five potential classes: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. Validation using receiver operating characteristic curves area under the curve (ROC_AUC) demonstrated robust prediction accuracy: 69 % and 73 % for VIKOR and Fuzzy VIKOR-produced maps. In conclusion, this research provides critical insights into Eleyewo's groundwater potential and offers a cost-effective, replicable methodology applicable to similar geological terrains, contributing to sustainable groundwater resource management.