TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing water quality in rivers with fuzzy inference systems
T2 - A case study
AU - Ocampo-Duque, William
AU - Ferré-Huguet, Núria
AU - Domingo, José L.
AU - Schuhmacher, Marta
PY - 2006/8
Y1 - 2006/8
N2 - In recent years, fuzzy-logic-based methods have demonstrated to be appropriated to address uncertainty and subjectivity in environmental problems. In the present study, a methodology based on fuzzy inference systems (FIS) to assess water quality is proposed. A water quality index calculated with fuzzy reasoning has been developed. The relative importance of water quality indicators involved in the fuzzy inference process has been dealt with a multi-attribute decision-aiding method. The potential application of the fuzzy index has been tested with a case study. A data set collected from the Ebro River (Spain) by two different environmental protection agencies has been used. The current findings, managed within a geographic information system, clearly agree with official reports and expert opinions about the pollution problems in the studied area. Therefore, this methodology emerges as a suitable and alternative tool to be used in developing effective water management plans.
AB - In recent years, fuzzy-logic-based methods have demonstrated to be appropriated to address uncertainty and subjectivity in environmental problems. In the present study, a methodology based on fuzzy inference systems (FIS) to assess water quality is proposed. A water quality index calculated with fuzzy reasoning has been developed. The relative importance of water quality indicators involved in the fuzzy inference process has been dealt with a multi-attribute decision-aiding method. The potential application of the fuzzy index has been tested with a case study. A data set collected from the Ebro River (Spain) by two different environmental protection agencies has been used. The current findings, managed within a geographic information system, clearly agree with official reports and expert opinions about the pollution problems in the studied area. Therefore, this methodology emerges as a suitable and alternative tool to be used in developing effective water management plans.
KW - Analytic hierarchy process
KW - Fuzzy inference systems
KW - Water management
KW - Water quality standards
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33746823764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envint.2006.03.009
DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2006.03.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 16678900
AN - SCOPUS:33746823764
SN - 0160-4120
VL - 32
SP - 733
EP - 742
JO - Environment International
JF - Environment International
IS - 6
ER -
