Simulation-Optimization Approach for Evaluating the Feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Samail Lower Catchment, Oman
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142, Issue 2
Abstract
This article presents a simulation-optimization approach for evaluating the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in the Samail Lower Catchment, Oman. The objective is to provide a maximum recharge and extraction rate through MAR in an annual cycle of two successive injection and recovery periods, while meeting operational and system constraints such as water level, gradient, and travel time. Three groundwater management problems were solved by coupling a simulation model with successive linear programming (SLP) and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) multiobjective genetic algorithm. Sensitivity analysis was also completed to examine the overall response of the simulation-optimization results to changes in hydraulic conductivities and maximum injection rates. Results using the SLP algorithm showed that the total volume of injected water for 4 months of injection without recovery is as high as , and the total recovered volume of water for 4 months injection and 8 months recovery is approximately , giving a total recovery efficiency of approximately 66%. For the same setup the NSGA-II algorithm derived the entire nondominated front of solutions for two conflicting objectives: maximizing recovery rate and maximizing minimum groundwater head close to the sea (for preventing seawater intrusion). This algorithm includes travel time constraints directly in the optimization process. In conclusion, the proposed approach provides a cost-effective means to evaluate MAR in a coastal aquifer.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Sultan Qaboos University through the project Feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge Using Treated Wastewater in Oman (SR/AGR/SWAE/09/01). The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Regional Municipality and Water Resources for providing data. The first author is also very grateful to Osman Abdalla, Sultan Qaboos University, for the discussion he had during this research. Review comments by two anonymous reviewers helped to improve the manuscript.
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142 • Issue 2 • February 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 10, 2014
Accepted: Jul 21, 2015
Published online: Oct 5, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Mar 5, 2016
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