Results from the Big Spring basin water quality monitoring and demonstration projects,Iowa, USA

Agricultural practices, hydrology, and water quality of the 267-km² Big Spring groundwater drainage basin in Clayton County, Iowa, have been monitored since 1981. Land use is agricultural; nitrate-nitrogen (-N) and herbicides are the resulting contaminants in groundwater and surface water. Ordovician Galena Group carbonate rocks comprise the main aquifer in the basin. Recharge to this karstic aquifer is by infiltration, augmented by sinkhole-captured runoff. Groundwater is discharged at Big Spring, where quantity and quality of the discharge are monitored. Monitoring has shown a threefold increase in groundwater nitrate-N concentrations from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The nitrate-N discharged from the basin typically is equivalent to over one-third of the nitrogen fertilizer applied, with larger losses during wetter years. Atrazine is present in groundwater all year; however, contaminant concentrations in the groundwater respond directly to recharge events, and unique chemical signatures of infiltration versus runoff recharge are detectable in the discharge from Big Spring. Education and demonstration efforts have reduced nitrogen fertilizer application rates by one-third since 1981. Relating declines in nitrate and pesticide concentrations to inputs of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides at Big Spring is problematic. Annual recharge has varied five-fold during monitoring, overshadowing any water-quality improvements resulting from incrementally decreased inputs. Electronic Publication     

Assessment of regional change in nitrate concentrations in groundwater in the Central Valley, California, USA, 1950s–2000s

A regional assessment of multi-decadal changes in nitrate concentrations was done using historical data and a spatially stratified non-biased approach. Data were stratified into physiographic subregions on the basis of geomorphology and soils data to represent zones of historical recharge and discharge patterns in the basin. Data were also stratified by depth to represent a shallow zone generally representing domestic drinking-water supplies and a deep zone generally representing public drinking-water supplies. These stratifications were designed to characterize the regional extent of groundwater with common redox and age characteristics, two factors expected to influence changes in nitrate concentrations over time. Overall, increasing trends in nitrate concentrations and the proportion of nitrate concentrations above 5 mg/L were observed in the east fans subregion of the Central Valley. Whereas the west fans subregion has elevated nitrate concentrations, temporal trends were not detected, likely due to the heterogeneous nature of the water quality in this area and geologic sources of nitrate, combined with sparse and uneven data coverage. Generally low nitrate concentrations in the basin subregion are consistent with reduced geochemical conditions resulting from low permeability soils and higher organic content, reflecting the distal portions of alluvial fans and historical groundwater discharge areas. Very small increases in the shallow aquifer in the basin subregion may reflect downgradient movement of high nitrate groundwater from adjacent areas or overlying intensive agricultural inputs. Because of the general lack of regionally extensive long-term monitoring networks, the results from this study highlight the importance of placing studies of trends in water quality into regional context. Earlier work concluded that nitrate concentrations were steadily increasing over time in the eastern San Joaquin Valley, but clearly those trends do not apply to other physiographic subregions within the Central Valley, even where land use and climate are similar.     

卫河流域河流地下水流系统氮素运移的数值模拟

卫河是海河流域污染最严重的河流之一,该河如何影响附近浅层地下水的水质是长期受到重视但缺乏定量研究的关键问题。为探讨这一问题,利用Hydrus 2d模型模拟河流非饱和带氮素的迁移转化,以GMS软件中的RT3D模块模拟氮素在饱和含水层中的运移,将包气带底部淋滤出的污染物浓度定为饱和带溶质运移模型的上边界条件,首次实现了河流非饱和带饱和含水层氮素运移的联合模拟,得到河流线状污染源对浅层地下水的影响程度及范围。研究结果表明：由于吸附作用、硝化反硝化作用的存在,从河流上游到下游,包气带厚度加大,运移至含水层中的NH4-N、NO2-N浓度呈下降趋势,而NO3-N浓度则呈上升趋势。随着入渗时间的增长,进入饱和含水层中的NH4-N、NO2-N、NO3-N的浓度逐渐升高并最终保持稳定。污染的河流对浅层地下水的影响呈带状分布,污染物随入渗水流在包气带中垂直入渗;在饱和含水层中以水平运移为主,污染羽偏向地下水流动的方向,其影响距离不超过500 m。     

Nitrate source and fate at the catchment scale of the Vibrata River and aquifer (central Italy): an analysis by integrating component approaches and nitrogen isotopes

The aim of this study is to apply an integrated approach to determine nitrate sources and fate in the alluvial aquifer of the River Vibrata (Abruzzi, central Italy) by coupling the Isotope and the Component approaches. Collected data include concentration and nitrogen isotope composition of groundwater samples from the alluvial aquifer and nitrogen loads arising from agricultural and non-agricultural sources. The adopted methodology identified synthetic fertilizers as main sources of nitrate in the Vibrata alluvial aquifer. At the catchment scale, two different zones have been identified: the Upper Valley, where infiltration to groundwater is dominant and nitrogen easily migrates into the aquifer; in this area, nitrate content in groundwater is stable and normally higher than EU requirements. Moreover, streamwaters are fed by groundwater with a nitrate content likely lowered by denitrification processes occurring in the hyporheic zone. In the Lower Valley, runoff processes dominate and the nitrate content in surface waters is higher. Nevertheless, groundwater is locally affected by denitrification that breaks down the nitrate content, which often reaches values consistent with law limits.     

Influences of the unsaturated,saturated, and riparian zones on the transport of nitrate near the Merced River,California, USA

Transport and transformation of nitrate was evaluated along a 1-km groundwater transect from an almond orchard to the Merced River, California, USA, within an irrigated agricultural setting. As indicated by measurements of pore-water nitrate and modeling using the root zone water quality model, about 63% of the applied nitrogen was transported through a 6.5-m unsaturated zone. Transport times from recharge locations to the edge of a riparian zone ranged from approximately 6 months to greater than 100 years. This allowed for partial denitrification in horizons having mildly reducing conditions, and essentially no denitrification in horizons with oxidizing conditions. Transport times across a 50–100-m-wide riparian zone of less than a year to over 6 years and more strongly reducing conditions resulted in greater rates of denitrification. Isotopic measurements and concentrations of excess N₂ in water were indicative of denitrification with the highest rates below the Merced River. Discharge of water and nitrate into the river was dependent on gradients driven by irrigation or river stage. The results suggest that the assimilative capacity for nitrate of the groundwater system, and particularly the riverbed, is limiting the nitrate load to the Merced River in the study area.     

美国Sand Hills地区地下水数值模拟及水量平衡分析

利用地下水数值模型MODFLOW和非饱和带水平衡模型对处于半干旱半湿润沙丘地区(Sand Hills)地下水位进行了模拟,并分析了含水层补排水量,河流与地下水补排关系,以及区域水平衡过程。揭示了独特沙丘地形和土壤特性对地下水补排量的影响。模拟结果表明,入渗率大、非饱和带厚的沙丘有利于降水入渗补给,减少了地下水蒸散发损失。加上下覆含水层具有良好的地下水储水空间,是该地区储存丰富的地下水量,以维持河流稳定流量,供给众多湖泊和湿地的原因。该研究对我国地下水资源评价和生态环境脆弱地区水资源保护具有指导意义。     

A numerical technique for simulation of the effect of soil nitrogen transport and transformations on groundwater contamination

Two numerical models, one for the vadose zone and the other for the aquifer system, are utilized to predict nitrate pollution potential in groundwater. Transport by dispersion and convection of mobile species of nitrogen, ammonium ion exchange, first order nitrogen transformations, and nitrogen plant uptake are included in the formulation for the vadose zone. Transport of nitrate in the aquifer is assumed to be affected only by dispersion-convection phenomena. Justifications for one-dimensional conceptualization of flow in the vadose zone and two-dimensional representation for the aquifer, under various field conditions, are presented. To illustrate the concept, a simple hypothetical problem is solved. The approach presented here provides an efficient means of long-term simulation of large-scale field problems.     

Nitrate in groundwater and surface water related to land use in the Karup Basin,Denmark

The content and distribution of nitrate in groundwater and surface water in the Karup Basin area have been investigated and analyzed. In addition to existing analyses, chemical profiles of the groundwater of the upper part of the water table sand aquifer were measured at a number of sites. The profiles indicate, in general, an upper oxidation zone with nitrate and a lower reduction zone free of nitrate. However, below plantation areas, the nitrate content in the oxidation zone is significantly low as well. The eight profiles are graphed separately, and all results are finally plotted on a single map by a graphic method that takes into consideration both the concentration and the level of the sampled water. The great variation in the nitrate content of the water from one water-supply well to another can easily be explained by plotting the values on maps using this graphing procedure, in conjunction with an examination of the nitrate zonation found in the profiles. The influence of agricultural activities is significantly related to the concentration of nitrate in surface water and groundwater under such water table conditions and circumstances as are found in the Karup Basin.     

基于过程模拟的李官堡水源地地下水污染预警

基于过程模拟的地下水污染预警是基于包气带和饱和带过程模拟的耦合实现的,且融合了涵盖整个地下水系统的四个预警指标。选取浑河冲洪积扇的李官堡水源地为例,基于Hydrus-1D和Visual Modflow分别进行包气带过程模拟和饱和带过程模拟,针对潜层和承压层的复杂程度分别制定了各自的预警临界值;经分析可知,随着时间的推移,地表污染物持续进入到地下水中,污染晕范围不断扩大,地下水中最大浓度值和水源井浓度值也持续增加,且承压含水层的预警级别要高于潜水含水层;同时基于潜层和承压层中污染物最大浓度值与时间分别近似呈线性关系和指数关系可进行长时间尺度的预警;并提出了零级预警区和一级预警区管理措施以监测和预防为主,二级预警区、三级预警区和四级预警区管理措施以控制和监测为主。     

An assessment of the risk associated with urban development in the Thiaroye area (Senegal)

Water quality data from 56 wells, aquifer characteristics, soil types and land use in the city suburb of Dakar were compared to assess the effects of land use on the Thiaroye groundwater quality. The study area encompassed an unsewered densely populated zone, agricultural land, low density villages, and undeveloped land located in the sand dunes. A method similar to GIS technologies was applied to evaluate the degree of vulnerability of the different parts of the aquifer in relation to urban development, land use and aquifer characteristics. The aquifer parameters (hydraulic conductivity, groundwater level depth, recharge, soil type) were re-evaluated qualitatively into three class rankings (high, moderate and low), depending on the likelihood for contaminants reaching the water table, then combined using the two matrix Boolean logic based approaches to identify the nine classes of vulnerability assessed in the aquifer domain. An attempt was made to explain the distribution of nitrate concentration with the assessed vulnerability. In the area assessed, in the densely populated zone running from Pikine, to Thiaroye and Yeumbeul, very high nitrate concentrations correspond with the highest vulnerability index (H1). Nitrate contamination in this area is a consequence of point-source seepage from individual septic systems improperly built in this area. In the eastern part of the aquifer, high nitrate concentrations at Deni B. Ndao, Mbawane and Golam localities coincide with a moderate vulnerability assessment. The major source of nitrate in these areas is induced by agricultural activities.     

Nutrient inputs to the Choptank River estuary: Implications for watershed management

Degraded water quality due to water column availability of nitrogen and phosphorus to algal species has been identified as the primary cause of the decline of submersed aquatic vegetation in Chesapeake Bay and its subestuaries. Determining the relative impacts of various nutrient delivery pathways on estuarine water quality is critical for developing effective strategies for reducing anthropogenic nutrient inputs to estuarine waters. This study investigated temporal and spatial patterns of nutrient inputs along an 80-km transect in the Choptank River, a coastal plain tributary and subestuary of Chesapeake Bay, from 1986 through 1991. The study period encompassed a wide range in freshwater discharge conditions that resulted in major changes in estuarine water quality. Watershed nitrogen loads to the Choptank River estuary are dominated by diffuse-source inputs, and are highly correlated to freshwater discharge volume. in years of below-average freshwater discharge, reduced nitrogen availability results in improved water quality throughout most of the Choptank River. Diffuse-source inputs are highly enriched in nitrogen relative to phosphorus, but point-source inputs of phosphorus from sewage treatment plants in the upper estuary reduce this imbalance, particularly during summer periods of low freshwater discharge. Diffuse-source nitrogen inputs result primarily from the discharge of groundwater contaminated by nitrate. Contamination is attributable to agricultural practices in the drainage basin where agricultural land use predominates. Groundwater discharge provides base flow to perennial streams in the upper regions of the watershed and seeps directly into tidal waters. Diffuse-source phosphorus inputs are highly episodic, occurring primarily via overland flow during storm events. Major reductions in diffuse-source nitrogen inputs under current landuse conditions will require modification of agricultural practices in the drainage basin to reduce entry rates of nitrate into shallow groundwater. Rates of subsurface nitrate delivery to tidal waters are generally lower from poorly-drained versus well-drained regions of the watershed, suggesting greater potential reductions of diffuse-source nitrogen loads per unit effort in the well-drained region of the watershed. Reductions in diffuse-source phosphorus loads will require long-term management of phosphorus levels in upper soil horizons. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY074 00021     

A combined methodology to assess the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers to pollution from agrochemicals

The groundwater vulnerability indices are valuable tools for the development of agrochemicals management strategies based on environmental/agricultural policies. The groundwater vulnerability methods of LOS, SINTACS, DRASTIC, Pesticide DRASTIC, GOD and AVI were applied for the agricultural fields of Sarigkiol basin (Northern Greece). The results of the aforementioned methods were examined and discussed in order to show how the dissimilarities in the vulnerability assessment approaches may become an advantage. The results of the methods were used to propose a combined conceptual approach which adds another two dimensions (depth and time) in the current two-dimensional vulnerability mapping (longitude, latitude) procedures. The LOS method provided information about the intrinsic vulnerability of the topsoil (30 cm) to water (+conservative pollutants) and nitrogen losses, and the AVI method described the vulnerability of the unsaturated zone to allow pollutants to reach the aquifer while the aquifer vulnerability was analysed using SINTACS, DRASTIC, Pesticide DRASTIC and GOD. In this study, the results of the SINTACS method were found more accurate to describe the local aquifer conditions. The final conceptual approach provided a stratified vulnerability (dimension of depth) of the overall hydrogeologic system using LOS for the topsoil, AVI for unsaturated zone and SINTACS for the aquifer. The dimension of time was introduced by the LOS and AVI methods, which provide quantitative results in time. The use of LOS method also highlighted the basic limitation of the other methods to describe the potential contribution to pollution of areas (especially upland areas) which are out of the aquifer boundaries.     

包气带硝酸盐分布的差异性及其形成机理:以正定、栾城为例

在地表等量氮输入条件下,包气带中硝酸盐含量分布是其抗污染能力的直接表征。阐明不同包气带中硝酸盐分布的差异并分析其成因对于评价下覆含水层的硝酸盐污染脆弱性、保护地下水资源免遭硝酸盐污染,具有重要意义。本文基于太行山山前冲洪积扇上栾城和正定两个16m深包气带硝酸盐含量数据,指出两个剖面上包气带中硝酸盐分布特征的差异性。分析研究区的施肥历史、大气降水的入渗补给强度及土壤有机质含量,认为包气带水分运移速度和反硝化能力是导致包气带硝酸盐分布差异的两个关键因素。在分析N同位素测试技术进步的基础上,指出利用同位素技术对包气带中的反硝化能力的定量化研究有望取得新进展。     

Seepage of groundwater nitrate from a riparian agroecosystem into the Wye River estuary

Intensive research in Chesapeake Bay has indicated that reductions in nitrogen inputs to the bay will be necessary to restore water quality to levels needed for resurgence of bay living resources. Fall-line water quality monitoring efferts have characterized diffuse-source nitrogen inputs from a large percentage of the bay drainage basin, but relatively little information exists regarding rates of nitrogen delivery to tidal waters from coastal plain regions. Extensive nitrate contamination of shallow groundwater due to agricultural activities, coupled with the dominant role of subsurface flow in discharge from Coastal Plain regions of the drainage basin, creates the potential for high rates of nitrogen delivery to tidal waters via groundwater seepage. This study utilized intensive hydrologic and water chemistry monitoring from April 1992 through September 1994 to determine the spatial characteristics of the groundwater-estuarine interface, as well as the rates of subsurface nitrogen transport from an agricultural field into nearshore waters of the Wye River, a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay. The hydrogeologic characteristics of the study site resulted in groundwater discharge to the Wye River occurring almost exclusively within 15 m of the shoreline. Calculated groundwater discharge rates were found to vary widely in the short term due to tidal fluctuations but in the long term were driven by seasonal changes in groundwater recharge rates. The zone of groundwater discharge contracted shoreward during summer months of low discharge, and expanded to a maximum width of approximately 15 m during high discharge periods in late winter. Average discharge rates were more than five times higher in winter versus summer months. Groundwater nitrate concentrations entering the discharge zone were relatively stable throughout the study period, with little evidence of denitrification or nitrate uptake by riparian vegetation. Consequently, nitrogen discharge patterns reflected the strong seasonality in groundwater discharge. Annual nitrate-N discharge was approximately 1.2 kg m^?1 of shoreline, indicating drainage basin rates of nitrogen delivery to tidal waters of approximately 60 kg ha^?1.     

Baseline geochemical conditions in the Chalk aquifer,Berkshire, U.K.: a basis for groundwater quality management

The Chalk aquifer is the most important British aquifer and is also important over much of northern Europe. Aquifer protection requires a sound knowledge of the baseline conditions and how these might vary, or have varied, with time. This detailed geochemical study of a representative area of Chalk in Berkshire, U.K., includes a consideration of several components: (1) the inputs from the atmosphere; (2) the interstitial water of the soil and the unsaturated zone; (3) the interstitial water in the confined and unconfined sections of the aquifer; and (4) the saturated, mainly fissure flow, along the hydraulic gradient which forms an important water supply of the Thames Valley region.Atmospheric inputs form an important source of some elements, but the dominant chemical characteristics of the Chalk groundwater are acquired during percolation through the soil and the upper unsaturated zone. During saturated flow downgradient the chemistry is modified mainly by incongruent reactions of the carbonate matrix and by redox reactions, and only to a minor extent by exchange reactions and mixing with residual saline connate water. The incongruent reaction of carbonate results in a marked increase in the Mg/Ca ratio and the Sr and ¹³C contents of the groundwater with increased residence time. Oxygen concentrations are reduced mainly by oxidation of Fe²⁺, and the onset of reducing conditions allows dissolved Fe²⁺ to increase and rapid denitrification to occur. The salinity profile through the confined Chalk confirms that residual connate water, up to one-fifth sea water concentration, still remains at depth, and this accounts for some salinity increase in the confined groundwater resulting from fissure water.pore water diffusional exchange.Timescales for groundwater movement have been established using tritium, radiocarbon, and indirectly using inert gas ratios and stable isotope ratios. On balance, it is concluded that all abstracted water is of Holocene age, although inert gas temperatures indicate cooler climatic conditions for recharge for some of the confined groundwater.The implications for development and aquifer protection are discussed, especially the prospect of natural in situ denitrification, problems of Fe solubility, and the recognition of groundwater of different maturities.     

Assessing the extent and sources of nitrate contamination in the aquifer system of southern Baldwin County,Alabama

A regional-scale groundwater study was conducted over a 2-year period to assess the extent of nitrate contamination and source identification for southern Baldwin County, AL. Groundwater wells were sampled and analyzed for nitrate and a host of other geochemical parameters which revealed that extensive areas within aquifer zone A2 exhibited nitrate concentrations exceeding regulatory limits. Spatial iso-concentration maps of nitrate were constructed using ArcGIS software to determine the extent and severity of contamination for the aquifers underlying southern Baldwin County with the primary interest focused on the heavily utilized aquifer zone A2. Nitrate levels in the central and northeastern portion of the study area were most extensive with maximum concentrations of 63 mg/L likely resulting from agricultural inputs. Several other small regions throughout the study area exhibited elevated levels of nitrate and chloride as high as 112 and 51.1 mg/L, respectively, and sources likely vary (i.e., residential septic systems, animal waste to agriculture). With the exception of a few groundwater samples, there was no obvious correlative relationship between chloride and nitrate concentration for data collected during the 2-year period. Collectively, a general inverse relationship between nitrate concentrations and well depth was observed for the aquifer system under investigation. The study provides an initial current data set of areas impacted or most vulnerable to nitrate contamination and initial assessment of likely sources of nitrate in the region.     

Parallel simulation of groundwater non-point source pollution using algebraic multigrid preconditioners

The simulation of non-point source pollution in agricultural basins is a computationally demanding process due to the large number of individual sources and potential pollution receptors (e.g., drinking water wells). In this study, we present an efficient computational framework for parallel simulation of diffuse pollution in such groundwater basins. To derive a highly detailed velocity field, we employed algebraic multigrid (AMG) preconditioners to solve the groundwater flow equation. We compare two variants of AMG implementations, the multilevel preconditioning provided by Trilinos and the BoomerAMG provided by HYPRE. We also perform a sensitivity analysis on the configuration of AMG methods to evaluate the application of these libraries to groundwater flow problems. For the transport simulation of diffuse contamination, we use the streamline approach, which decomposes the 3D transport problem into a large number of 1D problems that can be executed in parallel. The proposed framework is applied to a 2,600-km² groundwater basin in California discretized into a grid with over 11 million degrees of freedom. Using a Monte Carlo approach with 200 nitrate loading realizations at the aquifer surface, we perform a stochastic analysis to quantify nitrate breakthrough prediction uncertainty at over 1,500 wells due to random, temporally distributed nitrate loading. The results show that there is a significant time lag between loading and aquifer response at production wells. Generally, typical production wells respond after 5–50 years depending on well depth and screen length, while the prediction uncertainty for nitrate in individual wells is very large—approximately twice the drinking water limit for nitrate.     

Non-point pollution of groundwater from agricultural activities in Mediterranean Spain: the Balearic Islands case study

Mediterranean Spain is a region with intensive agricultural production combined with an important seasonal water demand for water supply. High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser, input of plant protection products and intensive irrigation, sometimes with treated wastewater, is a common practice. As a result, most aquifers show nitrate contamination problems of agricultural origin. Data on pesticide residues is scarce, as systematic monitoring is not currently done. In Majorca Island, values up to 700 mg/l of nitrate in groundwater have been observed. To analyse the current situation derived from non-point pollution, several actions have been taken at different scales: declaration of a nitrate vulnerable zone, field experiments to evaluate nitrogen transport to the aquifer and the development of a GIS-simulation model to generate nitrate risk maps.     

Correlation between nitrate concentration in groundwater and parameters affecting aquifer intrinsic vulnerability

This paper is the result of a study which was carried out in order to verify if the traditional methods to evaluate the intrinsic vulnerability or vulnerability related parameters, are able to clarify the problem of nitrate pollution in groundwater. In particular, the aim was to evaluate limitations and problems connected to aquifer vulnerability methods applied to nitrate contamination prevision in groundwater. The investigation was carried out by comparing NO₃ ⁻ concentrations, measured in March and November 2004 in the shallow aquifer, and the vulnerability classes, obtained by using GOD and TOT methods. Moreover, it deals with a comparison between NO₃ ⁻ concentrations and single parameters (depth to water table, land use and nitrogen input). The study area is the plain sector of Piemonte (Northern Italy), where an unconfined aquifer nitrate contamination exists. In this area the anthropogenic presence is remarkable and the input of N-fertilizers and zootechnical effluents to the soil cause a growing amount of nitrates in groundwater. This approach, used in a large area (about 10,000 km²) and in several monitoring wells (about 500), allowed to compare the efficiency of different vulnerability methods and to verify the importance of every parameter on the nitrate concentrations in the aquifer. Furthermore it allowed to obtain interesting correlations in different hydrogeological situations. Correlations between depth to water table, land use and nitrogen input to the soil with nitrate concentrations in groundwater show unclear situations: in fact these comparisons describe the phenomenon trend and highlight the maximum nitrate concentrations for each circumstance but often show wide ranges of possible nitrate concentrations. The same situation could be observed by comparing vulnerability indexes and nitrate concentrations in groundwater. These results suggest that neither single parameters nor vulnerability methods (GOD and TOT) are able to describe individually the complex phenomena affecting nitrate concentrations in soil, subsoil and groundwater. In particular, the traditional methods for vulnerability analysis do not analyze physical processes in aquifers, such as denitrification and nitrate dilution. According to a recent study in the shallow unconfined aquifer of the Piemonte plain, dilution can be considered as the main cause for nitrate attenuation in groundwater.     

A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing groundwater vulnerability in the Ordos Plateau, China

Groundwater plays a key role in arid regions as the majority of water is supplied by it. Groundwater pollution is a major issue, because it is susceptible to contamination from land use and other anthropogenic impacts. A study was carried out to build a vulnerability map for the Ordos Plateau using the DRASTIC model in a GIS environment. The map was designed to show the areas of the highest potential for groundwater pollution based on hydrogeological conditions. Seven environmental parameters, such as depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone media, and hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, were incorporated into the DRASTIC model and GIS was used to create a groundwater vulnerability map by overlaying the available data. The results of this study show that 24.8 % of the study area has high pollution potential, 24.2 % has moderate pollution potential, 19.7 % has low pollution potential, and the remaining 31.3 % of the area has no risk of groundwater pollution. The regional distribution of nitrate is well correlated with the DRASTIC vulnerability index. In contrast to this, although the DRASTIC model indicated that the western part had no risk, nitrate concentrations were higher in some of these areas. In particular, higher nitrate concentrations were recorded along river valleys and around lakes, such as the Mulin River valley. This is mainly caused by the intensive agricultural development and favorable conditions for recharge along river valleys.