Integrated analysis of Hashtgerd plain deformation, using Sentinel-1 SAR, geological and hydrological data

Mahdi Khoshlahjeh Azar; Siavash Shami; Faramarz Nilfouroushan; Maryam Salimi; Mahdieh Ghayoor Bolorfroshan; Mir Amir Mohammad Reshadi

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-25659-4

Integrated analysis of Hashtgerd plain deformation, using Sentinel-1 SAR, geological and hydrological data

Sci Rep. 2022 Dec 13;12(1):21522. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-25659-4.

Authors

Mahdi Khoshlahjeh Azar^#¹, Siavash Shami^#², Faramarz Nilfouroushan^{3

4}, Maryam Salimi⁵, Mahdieh Ghayoor Bolorfroshan⁶, Mir Amir Mohammad Reshadi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Faculty of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Geodesy, Faculty of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
³ Department of Computer and Geospatial Sciences, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden. faramarz.nilfouroushan@hig.se.
⁴ Geodata Division, Department of Geodetic Infrastructure, Lantmäteriet, Gävle, Sweden. faramarz.nilfouroushan@hig.se.
⁵ Department of Minerals and Groundwater Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
⁶ Department of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
⁷ Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Due to its proximity to Tehran, the Hashtgerd catchment in Iran is an important region that has experienced alarming subsidence rates in recent years. This study estimated the ground surface deformation in the Hashtgerd plain between 2015 and 2020 using Sentinel-1 SAR data and InSAR technique. The average LOS displacement of the ascending and descending tracks was - 23 cm/year and - 22 cm/year, respectively. The central area of the plain experienced the greatest vertical subsidence, with a more than - 100 cm cumulative displacement. The Karaj-Qazvin railway and highway that pass through this area have been damaged by subsidence, according to an analysis of profiles drawn along the transportation lines. The southern sections of Hashtgerd city have experienced a total displacement of - 30 cm/year over the course of about 6 years. The relationship between changes in groundwater level and subsidence rate in this region was examined using piezometer and precipitation data. Geoelectric sections and piezometric well logs were also utilized to investigate the geological characteristics of the Hashtgerd aquifer. According to the findings, the leading causes of subsidence were uncontrolled groundwater abstraction. This research highlights the need to comprehend the spatial distribution of confined aquifers and their effect on subsidence, which can aid in the development of a suitable management strategy to restore these aquifers.