Groundwater recharge mapping using airborne radiometric data

Abstract

In areas of dryland salinity identification of potential recharge areas is important in guiding remedial landuse changes. In this study, areas of high, moderate and low potential recharge were mapped using geophysical data in a study of the extent, causes and remediation of land salinity in the Bengworden area in eastern Victoria. Radiometric and digital elevation data from airborne geophysical surveys were used for to separate the data into classes using unsupervised classification. Further information was derived from topographic maps, magnetic data, and geomorphological studies to assign soil types. Relative potential recharge for each soil type was estimated and the resultant recharge map compared with bore hydrographs.