Evaluation efficiency of hybrid deep learning algorithms with neural network decision tree and boosting methods for predicting groundwater potential

Delineation of the groundwater’s potential zones is a growing phenomenon worldwide due to the high demand for fresh groundwater. Therefore, the identification of potential groundwater zones is an important tool for groundwater occurrence, protection, and management purposes. More specifically, in arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is one of the most important natural resources as it supplies water during the drought period. The present research study focused on the delineation of potential groundwater zones in Saveh City, the northern part of the Markazi Province in Iran. The groundwater potential mapping was prepared using hybrid deep learning and machine learning algorithm of the boosted tree (BT), artificial neural network (ANN), deep learning neural network (DLNN), deep learning tree (DLT), and deep boosting (DB). This study was carried out by using fourteen groundwater potential conditioning factors and 349 each for springs and non-springs points. The performance of each model was validated through statistical analysis of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-area under curve (AUC) analysis. The validation result showed that the success rate of AUC is very good for the DB model (0.87–0.99) and other models are also good i.e. BT (0.81–0.90), ANN (0.77–0.82), DLNN (0.84–0.86), and DLT (0.83–0.91). Among the several factors used in this study altitude, rainfall, distance to fault and soil types are the more important conditioning factors for groundwater potential modeling. Finally, all the models in this study had high efficiency in groundwater potential mapping, but it is recommended to use the Deep Boost model due to the better results in future studies. The result of this work will be useful to planners for optimal use and future planning of groundwater.