{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,25]],"date-time":"2026-02-25T12:21:56Z","timestamp":1772022116291,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Groundwater resources on the territory of Bulgaria are unevenly distributed in both spatial and temporal aspects. The effective usage of these valuable assets is of paramount importance, since any over-exploitation would eventually lead to their depletion. Remote sensing data and satellite images have increasingly been used in groundwater exploration and management. An integrated approach was applied in the present study in order to delineate potential groundwater recharge zones on the territory of Bulgaria. Data from various sources were used to prepare different thematic layers. These layers were then transformed into raster data of 1\u00d71 km. Lineament and drainage density maps of the research area were made with the help of GIS technology. In addition, a map was made for the annual total precipitation for the period from 1931 to 1985. DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data on a global scale at 90 m horizontal resolution were used for the slope analysis. A groundwater potential map was produced, which integrates several thematic maps, such as annual rainfall, geology, lineament density, land use, slope, soils, and drainage density. The thematic maps were then converted into a raster graphic format in order to be easily integrated into a GIS platform. The raster maps of these factors were then allocated a fixed score and weight-computed. The weights of those factors contributing to the groundwater recharge were derived by using the following components: geological map, lineament-length density map, land cover data base, soil data base, drainage-length density map, and slope gradient map. Subjective weights were assigned to the respective thematic layers, and they were overlaid in a GIS platform for the identification of potential groundwater recharge zones within the study area. These potential recharge zones were then categorized as being very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.52321\/geolbalc.48.1.43","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,3,27]],"date-time":"2021-03-27T10:20:11Z","timestamp":1616840411000},"page":"43-61","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":9,"title":["An assessment of potential groundwater recharge zones in Bulgaria"],"prefix":"10.52321","volume":"48","author":[{"given":"Tanya","family":"Vasileva","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 24, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"29796","reference":[{"key":"ref0","unstructured":"Antonov, H., Boyadjiev, N., Danchev, D., Iliev, I., Petrov, P., Plotnikov, N. 1960. Map of the hydrogeological division of Bulgaria 1:600 000. Travaux sur la G\u00e9ologie de Bulgarie, S\u00e9rie G\u00e9ologie et Hydrog\u00e9ologie 1, 212 pp. (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bisson, R.A., Lehr, J.H. 2004. Modern groundwater exploration. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New Jersey, 321 pp.","DOI":"10.1002\/0471660833"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Chenini, I., Mammou, A.B., May, M.E. 2010. Groundwater recharge zone mapping using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis: a case study in Central Tunisia (Maknassy basin). Water Resources Management 24, 921\u2013939.","DOI":"10.1007\/s11269-009-9479-1"},{"key":"ref3","unstructured":"Cheshitev, G., Kanchev, I. (Eds). 1989. Geological map of Bulgaria 1:500 000. Compiled by Cheshitev, G., Kanchev, I., Valkov, V., Marinova, R., Shilyafova, Y,. Russeva, M., Iliev K. Committee on Geology of Bulgaria, Company for Geophysical surveys and Geological mapping, Sofia."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Edet, A.E., Okereke, C.S., Teme, S.C., Esu, E.O. 1998. Application of remote-sensing data to groundwater exploration: A case study of the Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. Hydrogeology Journal 6, 394\u2013404.","DOI":"10.1007\/s100400050162"},{"key":"ref5","unstructured":"El-Baz, F., Himida, I. (1992-1995). Research project: Groundwater potential of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt."},{"key":"ref6","unstructured":"ESDB ver2, 2004. The European Soil Database distribution version 2.0, European Commission and the European Soil Bureau Network, CD-ROM, EUR 19945 EN."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Gumma, M.K., Paveli\u0107, P. 2013. Mapping of groundwater potential zones across Ghana using remote sensing, geographic information systems, and spatial modelling. Environmental Monitoring Assessment 185 (4), 3561\u20133579.","DOI":"10.1007\/s10661-012-2810-y"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Jaiswal, R.K., Mukherjee, S., Krishnamurthy, J., Saxena, R. 2003. Role of remote sensing and GIS techniques for generation of ground-water prospect zones towards rural developmental approach. International Journal of Remote Sensing 24, 993\u20131008.","DOI":"10.1080\/01431160210144543"},{"key":"ref9","unstructured":"Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (2006-2008). Project: The Study on Integrated Water Management in the Republic of Bulgaria, GIS Database."},{"key":"ref10","unstructured":"Kadam, A., Sankhua, R.N., Umrikar, B.N. 2015. Assessment of groundwater potential Zones using GIS technique: a case study of Shivganga River basin, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Conference Paper ID: TS1-03. Sixth International Groundwater Conference (IGWC-2015), Chennai, India, 70\u201377."},{"key":"ref11","unstructured":"Kamenov, B., Iliev, I., Galabov, M., Avramova, E., Stancheva, Tz. 1963a. Engineering geological map of Bulgaria 1:500 000. Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia."},{"key":"ref12","unstructured":"Kamenov, B., Iliev, I., Galabov, M., Avramova, E., Stancheva, Tz. 1963b. Map of hydrogeological elements, important for construction work. Appendix 2. Engineering geological map of Bulgaria 1:500 000. Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia."},{"key":"ref13","unstructured":"Koleva, E., Peneva, R. 1990. Climate Guide. Precipitation in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 169 pp. (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Krishnamurthy J., Kumar, N.V., Jayaraman, V., Manivel, M. 1996. An approach to demarcate ground water potential zones through remote sensing and a geographical information system. International Journal of Remote Sensing 17, 1867\u20131884.","DOI":"10.1080\/01431169608948744"},{"key":"ref15","unstructured":"Kyuchukova, M. 1983. Climate Guide of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 3. Temperature of the Air, Temperature of the Soil, Frost. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 440 pp. (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Magesh, N.S., Chandrasekar, N., Soundranayagam, J.P. 2012. Delineation of groundwater potential zones in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, using remote sensing, GIS and MIF techniques. Geoscience Frontiers 3 (2), 189\u2013196.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gsf.2011.10.007"},{"key":"ref17","unstructured":"Minkov, M. 1968. Loess in Northern Bulgaria. Complex Investigation. Publishing House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 202 pp. (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref18","unstructured":"Murasingh, S., Jha, R. 2013. Identification of groundwater potential zones using Remote Sensing and GIS in a mine area of Odisha. National Conference on \u201cRecent Approaches to Water Resource Management\u201d, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Conference Paper, https:\/\/doi.org\/ 10.13140\/RG.2.1.4247.7283."},{"key":"ref19","unstructured":"Ninov, N. 1997. Soils. In: Kopralev, I. (Ed.). Geography of Bulgaria. \u201cProf. Marin Drinov\u201d Publishing House, Sofia, 225\u2013259 (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref20","unstructured":"Ninov, N. 2002. Section 4. Soils. In: Kopralev, I., Yordanova, M., Mladenov, Ch. (Eds). Geography of Bulgaria. ForKom Publishing House, Sofia, 277\u2013316 (in Bulgarian)."},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"O\u2019Leary, D.W, Friedman, J.D, Poh, H.A. 1976. Lineaments, linear, lineations: some standards for old terms. Geological Society of America Bulletin 87, 1463\u20131469.","DOI":"10.1130\/0016-7606(1976)87<1463:lllspn>2.0.co;2"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Saraf, A.K, Choudhury, P.R. 1998. Integrated remote sensing and GIS for groundwater exploration and identifi cation of artifi cial recharge sites. International Journal of Remote Sensing 19, 1825\u20131841.","DOI":"10.1080\/014311698215018"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Selvam, S., Dar, F.A., Magesh, N.S., Singaraja, C., Venkatramanan, S., Chung, S.Y. 2016. Application of remote sensing and GIS for delineating groundwater recharge potential zones of Kovilpatti Municipality, Tamil Nadu using IF technique. Earth Science Informatics 9 (2) 137\u2013150.","DOI":"10.1007\/s12145-015-0242-2"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Senanayake, I.P., Dissanayake, D.M.D.O.K., Mayadunna, B.B., Weerasekera, W.L. 2016. An approach to delineate groundwater recharge potential sites in Ambalantota, Sri Lanka using GIS techniques. Geoscience Frontiers 7 (1), 115\u2013124.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gsf.2015.03.002"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Sener, E., Davraz, A., Ozcelik, M. 2005. An integration of GIS and remote sensing in groundwater investigations: a case study in Burdur, Turkey. Hydrogeology Journal 13, 826\u2013834.","DOI":"10.1007\/s10040-004-0378-5"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Shaban, A., Khawlie, M., Abdallah, C. 2006. Use of remote sensing and GIS to determine recharge potential zones: the case of Occidental Lebanon. Hydrogeology Journal 14, 433\u2013443.","DOI":"10.1007\/s10040-005-0437-6"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Shahid, S., Nath, S.K., Roy, J. 2000. Groundwater potential modelling in a soft rock area using a GIS. International Journal of Remote Sensing 21, 1919\u20131924.","DOI":"10.1080\/014311600209823"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Subba Rao, N., Chakradhar, G.K.J., Srinivas, V. 2001. Identification of groundwater potential zones using remote sensing techniques in and around Guntur Town, Andhra Pradesh, India. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing 29 (1\u20132), 69\u201378.","DOI":"10.1007\/bf02989916"},{"key":"ref29","unstructured":"Venkateswaran, S., Pragatheeswaran, P., Manimozhi, C. 2014. Delineation of groundwater potential zones in the upper tirumanimuttar sub basin using remote sensing and GIS techniques. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research 5 (8), 1498\u20131502."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Yeh, H.-F., Lee, Ch.-H., Hsu, K.-Ch., Chang, P.-H. 2009. GIS for the assessment of the groundwater recharge potential zone. Environmental Geology 58, 185\u2013195","DOI":"10.1007\/s00254-008-1504-9"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Yeh, H.-F., Cheng, Y.-S., Lin, H.-I., Lee, Ch.-H. 2016. Mapping groundwater recharge potential zone using a GIS approach in Hualian River, Taiwan. Sustainable Environment Research 26, 33\u201343.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.serj.2015.09.005"}],"container-title":["Geologica Balcanica"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,3,27]],"date-time":"2021-03-27T10:20:19Z","timestamp":1616840419000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.geologica-balcanica.eu\/journal\/48\/1\/pp.-43-61"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.52321\/geolbalc.48.1.43","relation":{},"ISSN":["2535-1060","0324-0894"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2535-1060","type":"electronic"},{"value":"0324-0894","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]}}}