云应盆地东北部含水层结构特征及地下水转化模式

云应盆地东北部属鄂北贫水地区,赋存于古近系—第四系含水层中的地下水是当地生产、生活用水的主要来源,亟需查明含水层的结构、含水层间地下水的转化关系等基本条件,为研究区内合理开发利用地下水提供依据。本研究通过野外水文地质调查、水文地质钻探工作,将研究区划分为单层含水层与双层含水层结构两个亚区（6个小区）。并通过地下水水位动态长期监测,获取了区内不同含水层的水位动态变化特征,分析各含水层之间的水力联系,建立了区域地下水转化的概念模式,即:研究区地下水以接受山前降雨入渗及风化裂隙水侧向径流补给为主,主要以水平径流的形式经古近系孔隙-裂隙含水层及第四系孔隙承压含水层往澴水方向运移,而后进入第四系孔隙潜水含水层。地下水和地表水在不同季节补排模式不同,雨季地表水（澴水）补给地下水,旱季地下水向地表水（澴水）排泄。古近系孔隙-裂隙水与上覆第四系孔隙水联系密切互为补给,共同构成具有统一水力联系的垂向多层结构的含水系统。独特的含水层结构决定了区内地下水接受降水补给的条件较差,地下水可开采资源量总体较贫乏,建议重点利用区域地表水资源,适度开发地下水资源,推进农业节水灌溉工程,实现水资源可持续利用。     

Hydrogeologic framework of the Maku area basalts, northwestern Iran

The Maku area in northwestern Iran is characterized by young lava flows which erupted from Mount Ararat in Turkey. These fractured volcanic rocks overlie alluvium associated with pre-existing rivers and form a good basalt-alluvium aquifer over an area of 650 km². Groundwater discharge occurs from 12 large springs, ranging from 20 to 4,000 L s^?1, and from some extraction wells. Permian and Oligo-Miocene age limestones along the northern boundary of the Bazargan and Poldasht Plains basalts are intensively karstified and groundwater from these high lands easily enters the basalt-alluvium aquifers. The transmissivity of the basalt-alluvium aquifer ranges from 24 to 870 m² d^?1, indicating heterogeneity. Groundwater of the aquifer is a sodium-bicarbonate and mixed cation-bicarbonate type and the concentration of fluoride is higher than the universal maximum admissible concentrations for drinking. In order to determine the chemical composition and identify the source of the high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of the basaltic area, water samples from the springs, wells and rivers were analyzed. The results indicate that the high fluoride water enters the study area from the Sari Su River.     

Nouveaux éléments sur la structure et le fonctionnement hydrogéologique du plateau basaltique de l'Aubrac (Massif central,France). Première évaluation des potentialités en eau souterraine

In volcanic areas, the quality of the geological data at the various scales is of paramount importance for the estimation of aquifer potentialities and thus for groundwater exploitation. Geological and hydrogeological investigation (synthesis of existing data, field geological observations, reconstruction of the infra-volcanic morphology, stream gauging, field hydrogeology, etc.) have been performed on the 450-km² Aubrac basaltic plateau (Massif Central, France). These results allow us to specify the hydrological structure and functioning of this volcanic plateau that were quite unknown before. It is mainly constituted by the piling up of lava flows resting on a plutonic and metamorphic substratum. This volcanic unit constitutes an aquifer of regional importance whose groundwater resources are currently underexploited. These results allow us to delineate zones and strategies for priority hydrogeological prospecting. To cite this article: P.-Y. Bourlier et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

化隆—循化盆地不同类型含水层组高氟地下水的分布及形成过程

天然成因的高氟地下水是世界范围内备受关注的环境问题和饮用水安全问题。前人对高氟地下水的形成过程已开展了大量研究,但是对于高原盆地复杂水文地质条件下不同类型含水层组(第四系松散层含水层、基岩裂隙或岩溶含水层以及新生代古近纪以来的碎屑岩含水层)高氟地下水的分布和形成过程尚不明确。本文以化隆—循化盆地为研究区,通过采集、测试研究区内的各类地下水样品,分析研究区内不同类型含水层中地下水的化学特征及同位素特征。结果表明,高氟地下水(1.007.73 mg/L)主要分布在沿黄河的河谷区域和巴燕低山丘陵区域的泉水和潜水中以及深部的承压水中,在垂向上高氟地下水无明显分布规律。接受黄河水入渗补给的河谷潜水中氟离子浓度较低,补给黄河的河谷潜水中氟离子浓度较高。贫钙富钠的弱碱性苏打型水有利于地下水中氟的富集。泉水和潜水中氟主要来源于萤石的溶解,而承压水中氟除了来源于萤石外,还来源于其他含氟矿物。对于潜水和第四系松散层泉水,蒸发浓缩作用促进了地下水中氟的富集。另外,阴离子竞争吸附作用、阳离子交换吸附作用是泉水(第四系松散层泉水和基岩裂隙泉水)和潜水中氟元素富集的主要原因,而承压水中氟离子浓度受竞争吸附作用影响较大,阳离子交换吸附作用影响较小。研究成果可为化隆—循化盆地低氟地下水的勘查和开发提供科学依据。     

Influence of hydrostratigraphy and structural setting on the arsenic occurrence in groundwater of the Cimino-Vico volcanic area (central Italy)

Arsenic occurrence in groundwater near the Cimino-Vico volcanoes (central Italy) was analysed considering the hydrostratigraphy and structural setting and the shallow and deep flows interacting within the Quaternary volcanics. Groundwater is the local source of drinking water. As documented in the past, arsenic in the groundwater has become a problem, and the European maximum allowable contaminant level was recently lowered to 10 μg/L. Chemical analyses of groundwater were conducted, sampled over an area of about 900 km², from 65 wells and springs representative of the volcanic aquifer and thermal waters. Considering the type of aquifer, the nature of the aquifer formation and its substratum, the hydrochemical data highlight that the arsenic content of the groundwater is mainly connected with the hydrothermal processes in the volcanic area. Thermal waters (54–60°C) fed from deep-rising fluids show higher arsenic concentrations (176–371 μg/L). Cold waters sampled from the volcanic aquifer are characterized by a wide variability in their arsenic concentration (1.6–195 μg/L), and about 62% exceed the limit of 10 μg/L. Where the shallow volcanic aquifer is open to deep-rising thermal fluids, relatively high arsenic concentrations (20–100 μg/L) are found. This occurs close to areas of the more recent volcano-tectonic structures.     

松散承压含水层水文地质参数分区及水流场数值模拟

为了揭示华北型煤田松散承压含水层水文地质参数及其对地下水流数值模拟的意义,以安徽淮北煤田宿南矿区祁东煤矿松散层承压第四含水层(简称“四含”)为研究示范,对多个影响因素综合分析,采用层次分析-模糊综合评价法,对研究区四含水文地质参数进行分区,合理确定各分区的水文地质参数,并用于采煤情景下地下水流动态数值模拟。数值模拟结果表明：祁东煤矿2008-2012年浅部煤层开采过程中四含地下水流场没有明显改变,但南北分区水头差逐年增大,地下水流向始终从南向北,而且在井田北部水力梯度逐渐减小,在井田南部水力梯度逐渐增大,南北区以倾角为60°~70°、断距为10~320 m的魏庙断层为分界线,基岩中大倾角与大落差断层的出现是引起上覆松散承压含水层水力梯度异常的根本原因。     

Groundwater hydrochemistry and origin in the south-eastern part of Wadi El Natrun,Egypt

The demand for water is rapidly increasing in Egypt, because of high population and agriculture production growth rate, which makes research of water resources necessary. The regional multi-aquifer system of the Miocene–Pleistocene age is discharged in Wadi El Natrun area. Intensive aquifer overexploitation and agricultural development in the area are related to groundwater quality deterioration. Hydrochemical and hydrogeological data was evaluated to determine the groundwater origin and quality in the south-eastern part of wadi, which appears to be more significant for water supply owing to lower groundwater salinity. The dominance of the high mineralised Cl groundwater type was found; however, also less mineralised SO₄ and HCO₃ types were identified there. Based on the ion relations, halite and gypsum dissolution and ion exchange are the most important hydrochemical processes forming the groundwater chemical composition. The Cl dominated groundwater matches the discharge part of the regional hydrogeological system. Contrary, the presence of HCO₃ and SO₄ hydrochemical types corresponds to the infiltration and transferring parts of the hydrogeological system indicating the presence of zones conducting low mineralised groundwater. The discharge area of the over-pumped aquifer in Wadi El-Natrun lies 23 m beneath the sea level with the shoreline being at the distance of 100 km, thus there is a real risk of seawater intrusion. Using the hydrochemical facies evolution diagram, four samples in the centre of the discharge area indicate advanced seawater intrusion. The zones of the highest demand for groundwater quality protection were indicated based on a spatial pattern of hydrogeochemical composition.     

山西太原晋祠—兰村泉水复流的岩溶水文地质条件新认识

晋祠泉和兰村泉是山西著名的岩溶大泉,受自然条件变化和人类活动的影响,两个泉于20世纪末相继断流。针对山西省政府提出的要使晋祠、兰村泉水复流的生态修复目标任务,文章在泉域水文地质调查基础上,就泉水复流密切相关的四个关键性岩溶水文地质条件问题开展研究并提出了新认识。核实了目前划定的晋祠—兰村泉域边界,依据最新资料对现行的晋祠、兰村泉域边界提出了7处修正,修改后晋祠泉域面积由2 030 km2变为2 713 km2,兰村泉域面积由2 500 km2变为2 614 km2。汾河二库在蓄水后库区的主体部分划归到晋祠泉域而非兰村泉域,其渗漏补给是造成近年来晋祠泉域区域岩溶地下水位大幅回升的主要原因。确定了晋祠泉域内盘道—马家山断裂带是一个岩溶水强富水带,也是岩溶地下水从北部中、上寒武统含水岩组向南部中奥陶统含水岩组的转换带。圈定了晋祠泉域:玉门河南峪村—杜儿平煤矿东侧—官地矿与白家庄矿交界处—龙山—明仙村东—晋祠泉的岩溶地下水强径流带。这些认识是开展晋祠—兰村泉域岩溶地下水资源评价、地下水开发管理和保护的基础,更是制定晋祠、兰村泉水复流方案的重要依据。     

Geological and geophysical exploration of the groundwater aquifers of As Suqah area, Makkah district, Western Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

As Suqah area is a NW–SE trending wadi present in the west central part of the Arabian Shield. It comprises Precambrian–Cambrian basement rocks, Cretaceous–Tertiary sedimentary succession, Tertiary–Quaternary basaltic lava flows, and Quaternary–Recent alluvial deposits. The magnetic anomalies indicated the presence of many recent local buried faults. These affected the distribution of the clastic sedimentary succession and seem to have controlled the deep groundwater aquifers. Groundwater movement is towards the west and northwest, following in general the surface drainage system. Hydraulic gradient varies greatly from one point to another depending on the pumping rates and cross-sectional area of the aquifer in addition to its transmissivity. The detailed results of the resistivity and seismic measurements were integrated with those obtained from test holes drilled in the study area. Groundwater occurs mainly in two water-bearing horizons, the alluvial deposits and within the clastic sedimentary rocks of Haddat Ash Sham and Ash Shumaysi formations. The shallow zone is characterized with a saturated thickness of 3–20 m and water is found under confined to semi-confined conditions. Water levels were encountered at depths varying from 3 to 16 m in the alluvial wadi deposits and from 18 to 62 m in the sedimentary succession. The combinations of vertical electrical sounding, horizontal electrical profiling, and drilling led to the identification of groundwater resources in the study area. Resistivity soundings clearly identified the nature of the lithological depth and proved useful at identifying water-bearing zones. Significantly, the majority of the groundwater was found within the deep confined aquifer gravelly sandstone, rather than in the shallow unconfined aquifer.     

地下水化学动力学法在大庆前进水源地求参中的应用

大庆前进水源地自20世纪80年代运行以来,随着开采活动的加剧,地下水系统状态已发生改变,水资源重新评价势在必行。依据已有水文地质和水质分析资料,运用地下水化学动力学理论和方法,通过水化学指标（组分活度α、矿物饱和指数β）的计算分析,结合有限的抽水试验资料,分区计算出渗透系数K、导水系数T、地下水实际流速U、渗透速度V和地下水年龄t等5项水文地质参数,定量的认识水文地质条件,认证了水源地泰康组承压含水层具有渗透性强、导水性强、地下水循环交替快、可更新能力强等特点。不仅为地下水资源评价提供了参数,也为水源地持续合理地开发管理提供了定量依据。     

Hydrogeological characterization of a carbonate aquifer using geophysical and geochemical approach: case of the Krachoua Formation in Tataouine area,Southern Tunisia

An integrated hydrogeological investigation involving geological surface data, well data (lithostratigraphical and piezometric data) and the vertical electrical sounding (VES) method was carried out in Tataouine area, Southern Tunisia to characterize the hydrogeology and the geochemistry of the Krachoua Formation aquifer. The electrical data were used to differentiate lithostratigraphic units and characterize their hydrogeological potentialities. Major elements contents within groundwater samples were assessed and some plots and diagrams have been established in order to investigate the hydrochemical properties of this aquifer and the origin of its mineralization. The Krachoua aquifer exhibits a general drawdown of the piezometric level from 2004 to 2015 reflecting a dramatic decrease in groundwater resources due to increased groundwater abstraction during the last decades. Flow directions shows that the recharge of this aquifer considered as a free aquifer is directly ensured by rainfalls over the outcropping fractured limestones. The geometry of the Krachoua Formation aquifer is tectonically controlled and structured in horst and graben features that impacted greatly the hydrogeology and the hydrodynamics of the area. Subsequent thickness and facies variations within this aquifer influenced the reservoir quality and the groundwater flows. The increased values of salinity to the northwest of the study area seems to be mainly related to the dissolution of the Upper Liassic gypsum of Mestaoua Formation which outcrops widely and can be dissolute easily by meteoric water and contaminate the Krachoua aquifer. This fact is also supported by the sulfated and calci-magnesian chloride facies of this aquifer related to the dissolution of evaporitic rocks (gypsum, anhydrite, and halite). However low salinity values are recorded within the zone where these evaporitic rocks are relatively deep.     

Characteristics of groundwater and urban emergency water sources optimazation in Luoyang,China

The construction of emergency water sources is the material basis for ensuring urban water safety, and it is also an inherent requirement for maintaining social stability and development. The hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater in Luoyang City from the aspects of the division of groundwater aquifer groups, water yield property and groundwater dynamics were described in this paper. Two emergency water sources were selected on basis of comprehensively considering groundwater resources and ecological environmental effects, groundwater quality and exploitation technology, etc. Then it further analysed the aquifer types, water yield properties and groundwater recharge, runoff and discharge conditions of the two emergency water sources, and evaluate the groundwater resources quantity of the water sources. The results are that the shallow underground aquifer in Luoyang City is thick, coarse, and stable in lithology and thickness. The two water sources enjoy good exploitation potential and can be used as backup water sources to supply water in the event of a water source crisis.     

神东煤炭基地1:50 000活鸡兔幅矿区水文地质图数据集

本数据集在1：50 000活鸡兔图幅内综合应用了遥感、地面调查、物探、钻探,以及水化学同位素等多种方法进行数据采集,共完成2期遥感数据解译800 km²,地面调查点377个,丰水期、枯水期地下水水位统测240点次,抽水试验10组,水体样品采集共计127组,水文地质钻探累计进尺600 m。本数据集细化了工作区内第四系孔隙含水层、白垩系洛河组孔隙-裂隙含水层富水等级,填补了侏罗系安定组、直罗组水文地质信息的空白;同时,加入了与采煤相关的次生环境地质要素,并首次将浅层含水层疏干区较为准确地勾画出来,还建立了采煤影响下的地下水的循环模式,突出了矿区水文地质调查的特色。本数据集为矿区水文地质调查工作的规划、部署与总结提供常态化支持,对保障国家能源安全、生态安全具有重要的现实意义。     

Analysis of influence of the power plant ash storage yard on groundwater environment

The fluoride contained in the filter liquor produced by fly ash in the thermal power plant which takes the coal as fuel can lead to groundwater pollution. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the migration characteristics of the pollutants in groundwater, in order to control and prevent the groundwater fluoride pollution. By adopting the numerical modeling method, this paper takes the ash-storage yard of Shahe Power Plant in Xingtai City as an example, to study the characteristics of fluoride migration in phreatic water, and establish a two-dimensional groundwater flow and water quality model on the basis of the hydrogeological condition analysis in this study area. Meanwhile, based on the Vmodflow software, the migration regulation of the fluoride in groundwater has been simulated. Because the phreatic aquifer of this area belonging to the Shahe alluvial-diluvial sediments and with a coarse lithology as well as high permeability, the migration and diffusion ability of the fluoride in this area is relatively strong. It turns out that the longest migration distance in 5 years is 892 m and that within 8 years is 1 515 m.     

Fluoride variations in groundwater of an area in Buenos Aires Province,Argentina

Spatial variations of fluoride concentration in groundwater in the town of Saldungaray, Argentina affect water quality for human supply and decrease the aquifer reserves. The study region is a piedmont area, located near a hill area (west) and the fluvial valley of the Sauce Grande River (east). Two hydrogeological units can be identified: bedrock and clastic sediments. These sediments consist of sandy silt with a variable amount of calcium carbonate. Its greatest thickness occurs near the river where it is 60 m. Groundwater flow coincides with topography. Fresh water is exploited from this unit and it has low salt contents (dissolved solids 400 to 800 mg/l). Fluoride concentration varies between 0.2 and 5 mg/l. The groundwater flow and hydrogeological characteristics related to spatial variations of fluoride content are analyzed. The quality of water is a critical parameter in determining the overall quality of human lives, and the occurrence of high fluoride concentrations can have a pronounced impact on groundwater quality.     

Assessment of naturally occurring arsenic contamination in the groundwater of Sarkisla Plain (Sivas/Turkey)

High arsenic levels in groundwater of the aquifers, belonging to the Pliocene terrestrial layers and Quaternary alluvial sediments, have become a significant problem for the inhabitants living in Sarkisla (Turkey). The main objective of this study was to determine the origin and arsenic contamination mechanisms of the Sarkisla drinking water aquifer systems. The highest arsenic concentrations were found in Pliocene layers and alluvial sediments with concentrations ranging from 2.1 to 155 mg/kg. These rocks are the main aquifers in the study area, and most of the drinking groundwater demand is met by these aquifers. Groundwater from the Pliocene aquifer is mainly Ca-HCO₃ and Ca-SO₄ water type with high EC values reaching up to 3,270 μS/cm, which is due to the sulfate dissolution in some parts of the alluvial aquifer. Stable isotope values showed that the groundwater was of meteoric origin. Tritium values for the groundwater were between 8.31 and 14.06 TU, representing a fast circulation in the aquifer. Arsenic concentrations in the aquifers were between 0.5 and 345 μg/L. The highest arsenic concentrations detected in the Pliocene aquifer system reached up to 345 μg/L with an average value of 60.38 μg/L. The arsenic concentrations of the wells were high, while the springs had lower arsenic concentrations. These springs are located in the upper parts of the study area where the rocks are less weathered. The hydrogeochemical properties demonstrated that the water–rock interaction processes in sulfide-bearing rocks were responsible for the remarkably high groundwater arsenic contamination in the study area. In the study area, the arsenic levels determined in groundwater exceeded the levels recommended by the WHO. Therefore, it is suggested that this water should not be used for drinking purposes and new water sources should be investigated.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics and its role in controlling arsenic mobilization in a shallow aquifer

The relevance of groundwater hydrogeochemistry to explain the occurrence and distribution of arsenic in groundwater is of great interest. The insightful discussions on the control of shallow groundwater (< 50 m) hydrogeochemistry in arsenic mobilization are known to be a viable tool to explain the arsenic menace in shallow groundwater. The present investigation emphasizes the hydrogeochemical driver and/or control over the reductive dissolution of Fe-bearing host minerals and thereby releasing arsenic into the shallow groundwater of the study area. The study suggests that hydrogeochemical evolution is mainly governed by carbonate minerals dissolution, silicate weathering, and competitive ion-exchange processes in the shallow aquifers (< 50 m). The present study also indicates the prevalence of carbonate minerals dissolution over silicate weathering. The emergence of Cl⁻ concentration in the shallow groundwater founds the possibilities of anthropogenic inputs into the shallow aquifers (< 50 m). The reducing environment in shallow aquifers (< 50 m) of the study area is evident in the reductive dissolution of Fe- bearing shallow aquifer minerals which absorb arsenic in the solid phase and mobilize arsenic onto shallow groundwater. The study opted for many statistical approaches to delineate the correlation among major and minor ionic constituents of the groundwater which are very helpful to understand the comprehensive mechanism of arsenic mobilization into shallow groundwater.

     

The hydraulic conductivity field and groundwater flow in the unconfined aquifer system of the Keta Strip,Ghana

This study investigates the hydraulic conductivity field and the groundwater flow pattern as predicted by a calibrated steady state groundwater flow model for the Keta Strip, southeastern Ghana. The hydraulic conductivity field is an important parameter in evaluating aquifer properties in space, and in general basin-wide groundwater resources evaluation and management. This study finds that the general hydraulic conductivity of the unconsolidated unconfined aquifer system of the Keta Strip ranges between 2 m/d and 20 m/d, with an average of 15 m/d. The spatial variation in horizontal hydraulic conductivity appears to take the trend in the variations in the nature of the material in space. Calibrated groundwater recharge suggests that 6.9–34% of annual precipitation recharges the shallow aquifer system. This amount of recharge is significant and suggests high fortunes in terms of groundwater resources development for agriculture and industrial activities in the area. A spatial distribution of groundwater recharge from precipitation is presented in this study. The spatial pattern appears to take the form of the distribution in horizontal hydraulic conductivity, and suggests that the vertical hydraulic conductivity takes the same pattern of spatial variation as the horizontal hydraulic conductivity. This is consistent with observations in other areas. The resulting groundwater flow is dominated by local flow systems as the unconfined system is quite shallow. A general northeast – southwest flow pattern has been observed in the study area.     

塔里木盆地南缘绿洲带地下水砷氟碘分布及共富集成因

由于地表水资源稀缺,地下水是塔里木盆地南缘绿洲带重要用水水源,因此,系统查明该区地下水砷氟碘的分布及成因至关重要。基于塔里木盆地南缘绿洲带233组地下水水样检测结果,分析不同含水层中高砷、高氟和高碘地下水的空间分布及水化学特征,结合研究区地质、水文地质条件和地下水赋存环境进一步揭示影响地下水砷氟碘的来源、迁移与富集的水文地球化学过程。结果表明:地下水砷、氟、碘浓度变化范围分别为1.091.2 μg/L、0.0128.31 mg/L、10.02 637.0 μg/L。地下水高砷、高氟和高碘水样分别占总水样的7.3%、47.2%和11.6%,砷氟碘共富集占比为3.0%。砷氟碘共富集地下水主要分布于研究区中部的民丰县,水化学类型主要为Cl·SO₄-Na型。自补给区至过渡区再至蒸发区,地下水氟、碘浓度明显增大,砷浓度在过渡区和蒸发区均较大;砷氟碘共富集地下水取样点主要分布于36.060.0 m深度的浅层承压含水层中。浅层地下水受蒸发作用和矿物溶解沉淀作用的影响,随砷氟碘富集项的增多而增大。第四纪成因类型中风积物对氟浓度的影响较大,洪积-湖积物对砷和碘浓度的影响较大。细粒岩性、平缓的地形、地下水浅埋条件、偏碱性的地下水环境、微生物降解作用下有机质介导的矿物溶解是利于砷氟碘共富集的主要机制。     

Optimization of water resources management using SWOT analysis: the case of Zakynthos Island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Zakynthos, an island of 408 km² in the Ionian Sea, is completely dependent on its groundwater resources for fulfilling the demands of the water supplies. The use of groundwater resources has become particularly intensive during the last decades because of the intense urbanization, the tourist development and the irrigated land expansion that took place. The main aquifers are developed in limestones (karstic), sandstones of neogene deposits (confined) and alluvial deposits (phreatic). This paper focuses on the assessment of their hydrogeological characteristics and the groundwater quality. For this investigation, groundwater level measurements, drilling data, pumping tests and chemical analyses of groundwater samples were used. The average annual consumption that is abstracted from the aquifer systems, is 4.9 × 10⁶ m³ year⁻¹. The exploitable groundwater reserves were estimated to be 3.3 × 10⁶ m³ year⁻¹. In the last decades, the total abstractions exceed the natural recharge, due to the tourist development; therefore the aquifer systems are not used safely. The results of chemical analyses showed a deterioration of the groundwater quality. According to the analyses the shallow alluvial aquifer and the confined aquifer are polluted by nitrates at concentrations in excess of 25 mg L⁻¹. High sulphate concentrations might be related to the dissolution of gypsum. Seawater intrusion phenomena are recorded in coastal parts of aquifer systems. The increased Cl⁻ concentrations in karstic aquifer indicate signs of overexploitation. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis was applied in order to evaluate the SWOT of the groundwater resources. Moreover, some recommendations are made to assist the rational management that aim at improving the sustainability of the groundwater resources of Zakynthos Island.