Geostatistics-based design of regional groundwater monitoring framework

A methodology is developed based on the optimisation model and the geostatistical kriging model for the optimal design of groundwater head and quality monitoring plan. The multi-objective optimisation model considers minimisation of hydraulic head and concentration estimation error under budgetary limitation. The methodology incorporates Kriging as the external model for spatial estimation of hydraulic head and concentration values. Performances of the proposed model are evaluated for a regional groundwater aquifer in the Kanpur area. Multi-objective solution sets show directional preference along the hydraulic gradient. Performance evaluation results demonstrate the potential applicability of the methodology for optimal groundwater head and concentration monitoring plan design.