Evaluation of the potential corrosivity of groundwater using an Analytic Hierarchy Process-based index

In this study, a new index based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process, and a corrosion classification system have been proposed to evaluate the potential corrosivity of groundwater. The hierarchical structure of the index has been designed using 7 different criteria affecting the potential corrosivity of groundwater and the water analysis results. The highest weight values in the hierarchical system were calculated as 35%, 23.7% and 15.8% for SO42-, CO2, and pH, respectively. The index has been tested using the analysis results of water samples taken from 120 groundwater wells in Aksaray (Turkey). 15.8% of the groundwater samples have been classified as "strongly aggressive'. The areas classified as 'strongly aggressive' are located in the northwest, east, and southeast of the region. The results obtained from this study showed that the index developed to predict the potential corrosivity of groundwater gives successful and reliable results.