Using Borda and Bargaining algorithms to prioritize potential contamination of springs

Abstract The selection of an optimal decision-making method for water resource management is important and necessary. In this context, game theory makes a significant contribution to the advancement of decision-making for achieving optimal outcomes due to its high efficiency in solving multi-objective problems and offering diverse modeling techniques. In this study, the prioritization of potential contamination of springs in Khorramabad was considered, and by using the Borda and bargaining algorithms in game theory, the most effective parameters and the most critical resources in terms of potential contamination were identified. Various parameters, including pH, NO₃ and etc., were collected and calculated for studied springs and entered into the algorithms based on their importance in creating pollution potential. The Landsat 8 satellite's OLI sensor with an imagery date of 2017 was utilized to generate a LU/LC map for the region. By employing the Borda scoring method, the CO₃, K, and HCO₃ parameters were the most effective, with scores of 232, 157.5 and 153.5, respectively. Implementing the bargaining algorithm, CO₃, K, and pH parameters were the most effective, with scores of 254, 177 and 165, respectively. Finally, the prioritization of water resources was presented using both methods. In the Borda method, the Golestan and Qeyu, springs were ranked first. implementing the bargaining algorithm, the Qeyu and Dareh-Saki springs are ranked as top priorities. Which of these methods is more suitable for groundwater resource management, according to its guiding principles, depends on the preferences of the decision-makers and their goals for water resource management.