Application of GIS and AHP method to support of selecting a sutable site for a lead pollution: case study

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a case study to evaluate site suitability for an industrial Pb contamination study of the mining and smelting regions of Australia. Suitable study sites were identified and ranked using a modeling of site selection based on ArcGIS processing supporting by the AHP method. The site for the industrial lead contamination study was restricted to within 5 km of the lead source. Different areas were initially assigned as being suitable for an industrial lead study depending on the weights of specific criteria and priorities of the decision maker. Five selection criteria were established for these areas and the best location amongst feasible alternatives was recommended. This paper focuses on the ability of ArcGIS to support the implementation of site selection decision-making, to select the optimal area for an industrial Pb contamination. Spatial analysis tools, such as feature extraction, reclassify, feature -to- raster conversion, overlay analysis, space calculator and query were integrated into a site selection model. Criteria weights derived with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) which successfully allowed site selection by a weighted summation of the GIS raster data. In conclusion, Port Pirie in South Australia state was found to be a superior location for the study