DRAV model and its application in assessing groundwater vulnerability in arid area: a case study of pore phreatic water in Tarim Basin,Xinjiang, Northwest China

According to the characteristics of groundwater in arid area, this paper proposes DRAV model for groundwater vulnerability assessment, where D is groundwater depth, R is the net recharge of aquifer, A is the aquifer characteristics, and V is the lithology of vadose zone. As a case study, the paper assesses the vulnerability of pore phreatic water in Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China by using the DRAV model. The results indicate that the areas of phreatic water with vulnerability index ranges of 2–4, 4–6, 6–8 and >8 accounting for 10.1, 80.4, 9.2 and 0.2% of the total plain area of the Tarim Basin respectively, and the areas with the latter two vulnerability ranges (6–8 and >8) are mainly located in the irrigation districts with thin soil layer (20–30 cm thick surface soil of vadose zone, mainly with underlying sandy gravel) and with silty and fine sand layer. Such vadose zone generally lacks sandy loam and clayey soil and has larger recharge by infiltration of irrigation water.     

华北平原地下水脆弱性评价

针对华北平原地域广阔,地貌和水文地质条件复杂、地下水开发利用程度高,地下水位埋深、包气带和含水层岩性差异性大等特点,基于大量钻孔和地下水位监测资料,厘定了包气带岩性和地下水位埋深变化对脆弱性评价影响,进而建立适宜华北平原的DRITC评价指标体系,并应用于华北平原地下水脆弱性评价。评价中,根据华北平原水文地质条件,划分4评价分区,剖分2 km×2 km单元34 253个,采用地下水位埋深、净补给量、包气带岩性、含水层累积厚度和渗透系数5个因子作为评价指标,求得地下水脆弱性综合指数及脆弱性分布图。结果表明,华北平原山前冲洪积扇和古黄河冲洪积平原的现代黄河影响带地下水脆弱性高或较高。野外采样7 472组地下水有机污染测试分析结果佐证,脆弱性高或较高区有机污染检出项数多,其他地区较少,由此验证评价结果的客观性。     

水力压裂对地下水影响的深部脆弱性评价

为评价区块尺度页岩气开采过程中深部污染物对上部含水层的污染风险,基于“源-途径-驱动力-受体”概念模型,采用层次分析法构建了页岩气开采对地下水影响的深部脆弱性评价指标体系.利用该体系对贵州省某页岩气开采区块进行了评价,结果表明:评价区地下水深部脆弱性以低和较低为主,两者面积占研究区总面积的69.15%,主要分布于研究区西北部、中部及东南部,中间层厚度是影响评价结果的主要指标.该评价体系能够评估页岩气开采区地下水深部脆弱性,丰富了现有地下水脆弱性评价体系,可为区块内页岩气井的布设选址及地下水环境保护提供技术支撑.      

Sensitivity analysis for the GALDIT method based on the assessment of vulnerability to pollution in the northern Sfax coastal aquifer,Tunisia

Coastal aquifer of northern Sfax (Tunisia) suffers from the high risk to seawater intrusion and the water quality degradation due to the overexploitation. Hence, assessing the study area vulnerability to pollution is highly crucial so as to protect the groundwater resources. The assessment has been performed by applying the GALDIT method using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and multi-criteria evaluation techniques, and the sensitivity analysis approach to evaluate the effect of each GALDIT parameter on the vulnerability assessment. The GALDIT vulnerability map classifies the study area into three vulnerability classes: low vulnerability (30–50), moderate vulnerability (50–70), and high vulnerability (70–90), which represent 5, 30, and 65 % of the study area, respectively. The map illustrates that the coastal zones of the aquifer are the most threatened areas. The sensitivity analysis results show that the aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A) and the thickness of the aquifer (T) represent the determining factors in the modified vulnerability model. The real weight was used to elaborate the modified GALDIT model which was correlated with resistivity values for validation. This study could serve as a scientific basis for sustainable land planning and groundwater management in the study area.     

Groundwater vulnerability map of the Chrzanów karst-fissured Triassic aquifer (Poland)

A map shows intrinsic vulnerability to pollution of the Chrzanów karst-fissured aquifer (273 km²) in the southern part of Poland. This aquifer is intensively drained by numerous intakes and Zn-Pb ore mines. A DRASTIC-type parametric system was applied for groundwater vulnerability evaluation. Vulnerability assessment is based on six factors (depth to groundwater table, lithology of the unsaturated zone, net recharge, hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, groundwater flow velocity, aquifer thickness). For the final vulnerability map construction at the scale of 1:50,000, a combination of the aquifer simulation model (using MODFLOW) and a geographical information system was applied. Maps of the net recharge, hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and groundwater flow velocity were derived by aquifer modelling. Based on the vulnerability index (21-182), six relative vulnerability classes were selected. Reliability of the map has been verified.     

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability based on a modified DRASTIC model, GIS and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method: the case of Egirdir Lake basin (Isparta, Turkey)

A DRASTIC-model method based on a geographic information system (GIS) was used to study groundwater vulnerability in Egirdir Lake basin (Isparta, Turkey), an alluvial area that has suffered agricultural pollution. ‘Lineament’ and ‘land use’ were added to the DRASTIC parameters, and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method determined the rating coefficients of each parameter. The effect of lineament and land-use parameters on the resulting vulnerability maps was determined with a single-parameter sensitivity analysis. Of the DRASTIC parameters, land use affects the aquifer vulnerability map most and lineament affects it least, after topography. A simple linear regression analysis assessed the statistical relation between groundwater nitrate concentration and the aquifer vulnerability areas; the highest R ² value was obtained with the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method. The DRASTIC vulnerability map shows that only the shoreline of Egirdir Lake and the alluvium units have high contamination potential. In this respect, the modified DRASTIC vulnerability map is quite similar. According to the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method, the lakeshore areas of Senirkent-Uluborlu and Hoyran plains, and all of the Yalvaç-Gelendost plain, have high contamination potential. Analyses confirm that groundwater nitrate content is high in these areas. By comparison, the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method has provided more valid results.     

Mapping groundwater vulnerable zones using modified DRASTIC approach of an alluvial aquifer in parts of central Ganga plain,Western Uttar Pradesh

A detailed hydrogeological and hydrochemical study was carried out in Yamuna-Krishni sub-basin which is a part of the vast central Ganga plain. Groundwater is the major source of water supply for agricultural, domestic and industrial uses. The excess use of groundwater has resulted in depletion of water levels. The groundwater quality, too, has deteriorated in areas dominated by industrial activity. This has led to the preparation of a groundwater vulnerability map in relation to contamination. Groundwater vulnerability maps are valuable derivative maps that show, quantitatively or qualitatively, certain characteristics of the sub-surface environment that determine vulnerability of groundwater to contamination. The modified DRASTIC method was used to prepare vulnerability map. The parameters like depth to water, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, impact of vadose zone, hydraulic conductivity and land use pattern, owing to its bearing on groundwater regime, were considered to prepare vulnerability map. The vulnerability index is computed as the sum of the products of weight and rating assigned to each of the input considered as above. The vulnerability index ranges from 140 to 180, and is classified into four classes i.e. 140–150, 150–160, 160–170 and 170–180 corresponding to low, medium, high and very high vulnerability zones respectively. Using this index, a groundwater vulnerability potential map was generated which shows that 7%, 40% and 53% of the study area falls in low, medium and high to very high vulnerability zones respectively. The map, thus generated, can be used as a tool for protection and management of aquifers from contamination.     

城市地下水脆弱性评价方法及应用

地下水脆弱性评价是合理开发利用和保护地下水的基础.以国内外广泛应用的DRASTIC模型为基础,结合我国华北平原沉降带冲洪积含水层水文地质特征,提出了一种适用于层状含水层水文地质条件的城市地下水脆弱性评价模型--DRAMIP模型,并根据廊坊市的实际状况,对廊坊市浅层地下水进行了脆弱性评价,利用GIS技术生成了廊坊市浅层地下水脆弱性分布图.     

Vulnerability mapping of shallow groundwater aquifer using SINTACS model in the Jordan Valley area, Jordan

Jordan Valley is one of the important areas in Jordan that involves dense agricultural activities, which depend on groundwater resources. The groundwater is exploited from an unconfined shallow aquifer which is mainly composed of alluvial deposits. In the vicinity of the Kafrein and South Shunah, the shallow aquifer shows signs of contamination from a wide variety of non-point sources. In this study, a vulnerability map was created as a tool to determine areas where groundwater is most vulnerable to contamination. One of the most widely used groundwater vulnerability mapping methods is SINTACS, which is a point count system model for the assessment of groundwater pollution hazards. SINTACS model is an adaptation for Mediterranean conditions of the well-known DRASTIC model. The model takes into account several environmental factors: these include topography, hydrology, geology, hydrogeology, and pedology. Spatial knowledge of all these factors and their mutual relationships is needed in order to properly model aquifer vulnerability using this model. Geographic information system was used to express each of SINTACS parameters as a spatial thematic layer with a specific weight and score. The final SINTACS thematic layer (intrinsic vulnerability index) was produced by taking the summation of each score parameter multiplied by its specific weight. The resultant SINTACS vulnerability map of the study area indicates that the highest potential sites for contamination are along the area between Er Ramah and Kafrein area. To the north of the study area there is a small, circular area which shows fairly high potential. Elsewhere, very low to low SINTACS index values are observed, indicating areas of low vulnerability potential.     

鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系含水层系统分析

从地下水含水层系统的角度对鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系地下水系统进行了划分和分析。由于下白垩系统保安群为一套陆相碎屑岩建造,岩性复杂,由砂岩、粉砂岩和泥岩组成的频繁交替、重复叠置的多层层状结构,决定了鄂尔多斯白垩系自流水盆地是多层结构的地下水系统。这种重复叠置的多层层状地质结构,决定了地下水含水层系统的多层性、承压性及层与层之间的相对封闭性。根据沉积旋回和含水介质的性质,在全盆地范围内把白垩系地下水系统从上向下划分为：罗汉洞含水岩组、环河含水岩组和洛河含水岩组。通过对这3大含水岩组分别进行了分析认为,洛河含水岩组和环河含水岩组分布范围广、,含水层厚度大、天然资源丰富,是盆地区具供水意义的主要含水岩组。罗汉洞含水岩组因分布面积小,含水层厚度差异大、水质变化大,除陇东地区外,大部分地区供水价值较小。     

Evaluation of groundwater vulnerability in El-Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt, using modelling and GIS techniques: A case study

The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer (NSSA) is the main groundwater resource of the El-Bahariya Oasis, which is located in the middle of the Western Desert of Egypt. This aquifer is composed mainly of continental clastic sediments of sandstone with shale and clay intercalations of saturated thickness ranging between 100 and 1500 m. Vulnerability assessment to delineate areas that are more susceptible to contamination from anthropogenic sources has become an important element for sustainable resources management and land use planning. Accordingly, this research aims to estimate the vulnerability of NSSA by applying the DRASTIC model as well as utilising sensitivity analyses to evaluate the relative importance of the model parameters for aquifer vulnerability in the study area. The main objective is to demonstrate the combined use of the DRASTIC and the GIS techniques as an effective method for groundwater pollution risk assessment, and mapping the areas that are prone to deterioration of groundwater quality and quantity. Based on DRASTIC index (DI) values, a groundwater vulnerability map was produced using the GIS. The aquifer analysis in the study area highlighted the following key points: the northeastern and western parts of the NSSA were dominated by ‘High’ vulnerability classes while the northwestern and southeastern parts were characterised by ‘Medium’ vulnerability classes. The elevated central part of the study area displayed ‘Low’ aquifer vulnerability. The vulnerability map shows a relatively greater risk imposed on the northeastern part of the NSSA due to the larger pollution potential of intensive vegetable cultivation. Depth-to-water, topography and hydraulic conductivity parameters were found to be more effective in assessing aquifer vulnerability.     

The groundwater vulnerability map for the Flemish region: its principles and uses

Fobe, B. and Goossens, M., 1990. The groundwater vulnerability map for the Flemish region: its principles and uses. Eng. Geol., 29: 355–363.

The vulnerability map of the groundwater for the Flemish region demonstrates the possible risk for contamination of the groundwater in the upper aquifer of economical value. The map was ordered by the Flemish government and distributed among the people working in the environmental sector. The vulnerability map, in scale 1/100,000, is based on static factors, like the lithology of the aquifer and its possible coverlayers and the depth of the water table. The map will serve as a tool for proper management of the groundwater. Because of its smaller scale, the document will be used to determine areas where particular regulations and actions for the protection of groundwater are necessary.

Some of the data presented by the map suggest a safer situation than actually present. This is because the compilation followed strictly the principles of the legend. In the future, care should be taken to avoid such ambiguous situations on a map that is available for the public.

Plans exist to start with the compilation of dynamic vulnerability maps. One experimental project is already finished. This study and other recent scientific research gave experience about the influence of topography on the recharge of groundwater. It will be necessary to review the risk of groundwater contamination in some of the areas on the vulnerability map, especially in sandy hill ridges.     

Use of a time-domain electromagnetic method with geochemical tracers to explore the salinity anomalies in a small coastal aquifer in north-eastern Tunisia

The study area is a small coastal plain in north-eastern Tunisia. It is drained by an ephemeral stream network and is subject to several pollutant discharges such as oilfield brine coming from a neighboring oil company and wastewater from Somâa city, located in the upstream of the plain. Furthermore, a hydraulic head near the coastal part of the aquifer is below sea level, suggesting that seawater intrusion may occur. A time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) survey, based on 28 soundings, was conducted in Wadi Al Ayn and Daroufa plains to delineate the saline groundwater. Based on longitudinal and transversal resistivity two-dimensional pseudosections calibrated with boring data, the extent of saline water was identified. Geochemical tracers were combined with the resistivity dataset to differentiate the origin of groundwater salinization. In the upstream part of the plain, the infiltration of oilfield brine through the sandy bed of Wadi Al Ayn seems to have a considerable effect on groundwater salinization. However, in the coastal part of the aquifer, groundwater salinization is due to seawater intrusion and the saltwater is reaching an inland extent around 1.3 km from the shoreline. The contribution ratios of saline water bodies derived from the inverted chloride data vary for the oilfield brine from 1 to 13 % and for the seawater from 2 to 21 %.     

GIS-based DRASTIC, Pesticide DRASTIC and the Susceptibility Index (SI): comparative study for evaluation of pollution potential in the Nabeul-Hammamet shallow aquifer, Tunisia

Three vulnerability index models were applied to assess the pollution potential of Nabeul-Hammamet shallow aquifer, Tunisia: DRASTIC, Pesticide DRASTIC and the Susceptibility Index (SI). An output map layer of each one was obtained using a geographic information system (GIS). The SI layer was overlain with DRASTIC and Pesticide DRASTIC and the percentage areas of agreement and divergence in vulnerability categories were extracted. DRASTIC results suggest the aquifer has mostly low vulnerability. Pesticide DRASTIC and SI identify three vulnerability categories (low, moderate, high) in the aquifer. Published data on current chemical groundwater composition indicate that parts of the aquifer are highly contaminated, revealing that DRASTIC underestimates the risk of pollution; Pesticide DRASTIC and SI reflect this risk better. Agreement in vulnerability categories between the two last models is found for 64 % of the aquifer area. To help manage land-use allocation and prevent Nabeul-Hammamet-aquifer contamination, DRASTIC is not recommended. Pesticide DRASTIC and SI are recommended but for slightly different applications. SI helps in the monitoring of current vulnerable areas and, thus, in contamination prevention. Pesticide DRASTIC could better intervene as a criterion in a multi-criteria analysis to select the best sites for specific on-the-ground practice or future land use.     

An aquifer vulnerability assessment of the Benin Formation aquifer,Calabar, southeastern Nigeria,using DRASTIC and GIS approach

An aquifer vulnerability of the Benin Formation aquifer (Calabar, southern Nigeria) has been assessed using a combination of DRASTIC index and GIS technology. The assessment was necessitated by the fact that uncontrolled disposal of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes have caused groundwater contamination. Therefore, prevention of contamination, monitoring and management of the aquifer was urgently required to increase the efficient use of the current water supplies. The DRASTIC method uses seven parameters (depth to groundwater table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, influence of vadose zone and hydraulic conductivity), which were used to produce vulnerability maps. The drastic vulnerability index ranged between 124 and 170. The vulnerability map shows that the aquifer is highly vulnerable in southeastern parts of the area covering about 22 %. The medium vulnerability area covers about 56.8 % of Calabar extending from the southwest to northern parts. 21.2 % of the area covering the central and northern parts the area lies within the low vulnerability zone. The present industrial and activities are located in the eastern and western parts, which falls within the low-medium vulnerability areas. Documented nitrate concentration in hand-dug wells and boreholes are in agreement with vulnerability zones. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of each parameter between map layers such that subjectivity can be reduced to an extent and new weights computed for each DRASTIC parameter. As management options sensitive areas, especially in the southern parts of Calabar area, should be protected from future development.     

Estimating groundwater vulnerability to pollution using a modified DRASTIC model in the Kerman agricultural area,Iran

Groundwater contamination from intensive fertilizer application affects conservation areas in a plain. The DRASTIC model can be applied in the evaluation of groundwater vulnerability to such pollution. The main purpose of using the DRASTIC model is to map groundwater susceptibility to pollution in different areas. However, this method has been used in various areas without modification, thereby disregarding the effects of pollution types and their characteristics. Thus, this technique must be standardized and be approved for applications in aquifers and particular types of pollution. In this study, the potential for the more accurate assessment of vulnerability to pollution is achieved by correcting the rates of the DRASTIC parameters. The new rates were calculated by identifying the relationships among the parameters with respect to the nitrate concentration in groundwater. The methodology was implemented in the Kerman plain in the southeastern region of Iran. The nitrate concentration in water from underground wells was tested and analyzed in 27 different locations. The measured nitrate concentrations were used to associate and correlate the pollution in the aquifer to the DRASTIC index. The Wilcoxon rank-sum nonparametric statistical test was applied to determine the relationship between the index and the measured pollution in Kerman plain. Also, the weights of the DRASTIC parameters were modified through the sensitivity analysis. Subsequently, the rates and weights were computed. The results of the study revealed that the modified DRASTIC model performs more efficiently than the traditional method for nonpoint source pollution, particularly in agricultural areas. The regression coefficients showed that the relationship between the vulnerability index and the nitrate concentration was 82 % after modification and 44 % before modification. This comparison indicated that the results of the modified DRASTIC of this region are better than those of the original method.     

Hydrogeomorphic classification and aquifer disposition in the Markanda river basin,Northwestern India — Hydrogeological approach

The regional hydrogeological aspects of the Markanda river basin in the Himalayan foothills, NW India have been attempted. The basin has been hydro-geomorphologically analyzed as ridge, piedmont zone, alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel. Groundwater prospect in the alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel areas were found to be promising. Water table contour maps of the basin revealed that groundwater flows from northeast to southwest. Groundwater permeability is low in the northern part and is high towards the southern part of the basin. The areas of recharge were identified in the northern part of the basin, while the areas of discharge were identified in the central and lower parts of the basin. Hydrogeologic transects across and along the basin indicate that aquifer horizons are made up of fine sand, medium sand and gravelly sand. These aquifer layers are laterally extensive but limited in thickness. They occur as multistoried sand bodies with pinch and swell behavior. The overall study gives an understanding of the present regional hydrogeological scenario of the Markanda basin. Such detailed integrated approach would help to locate productive groundwater areas before installing a new tubewell in the region. Also, it would help in planning future groundwater management of the region.     

Using DC resistivity method to characterize the geometry and the salinity of the Plioquaternary consolidated coastal aquifer of the Mamora plain,Morocco

The Direct Current resistivity method was applied to the consolidated coastal Plioquaternary aquifer of Mamora plain, located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The aim is to determine the depth of the base of the saturated zone in the aquifer and to help in imaging lateral and vertical distribution of groundwater salinity. The geoelectric survey showed four geoelectric formations with the following electrical resistivities from top to bottom: 20–80, 200–2000, 200–300 and 5–70 Ohm m. The latter designates the basement of the aquifer constituted of marls and sandy marls. The mean resistivity of 250 Ohm m designates the aquifer formation. It decreases to less than 25% of its initial values for the soundings near the shore, reflecting the oceanic impact on the aquifer formation resistivity. The contour map shows that the basement of the saturated zone in the aquifer is deeper in the Northwest near the Sebou River estuary with values up to 70 m below sea level. This results in a larger thickness of the saturated zone of the aquifer leading to a consequent hydraulic potential. On the other hand, it has been deduced that the extent of marine intrusion inside the continent can be governed by human activities, natural properties and substratum geometry of the aquifer as well as by ecological factors. An optimal network of electrical soundings has been proposed for the monitoring of saltwater intrusion.     

滹滏平原地下水系统脆弱性最佳地下水水位埋深探讨

笔者以滹滏平原为研究区, 采用统计分析的方法, 分析了地下水防污性与地下水资源脆弱性随地下水位埋深之间的变化关系。结果表明, 当地下水位埋深增大时, 地下水防污性增强的地区, 地下水资源脆弱性也增高;通过二者之间变化关系, 认为受地下水位埋深制约及地下水位埋深对二者的不同影响, 存在使地下水系统脆弱性最佳的地下水位埋深区间;通过地下水位埋深对地下水防污性与地下水资源脆弱性影响及其制约关系, 确定滹滏平原淡水区和咸水区地下水系统脆弱性最佳地下水位埋深分别为27~30 m和15~19 m。     

Groundwater vulnerability assessment for the karst aquifer of Tanour and Rasoun springs catchment area (NW-Jordan) using COP and EPIK intrinsic methods

Groundwater vulnerability maps were constructed for the surface water catchment area of Tanour and Rasoun spring (north-west of Jordan) using the COP and EPIK intrinsic groundwater vulnerability assessment methods. Tanour and Rasoun springs are the main water resources for domestic purposes within the study area. A detailed geological survey was carried out, and data of lithology, karst features, precipitation, vegetation and soil cover, etc. were gathered from various sources for the catchment area in order to determine the required parameters for each method. ArcGIS software was used for map preparation. In the resulting COP vulnerability map, spatial distribution of groundwater vulnerability is as follows: (1) high (37%), (2) moderate (34.8%), (3) low (20.1%), and (4) very low (8.1%). In the EPIK vulnerability map, only two out of four vulnerability classes characterize the catchment area: very high vulnerable areas (38.4%) and moderately vulnerable areas (61.6%). Due to limited soil thickness, the low vulnerability class is absent within the catchment. The high percentage of very high to moderately vulnerable areas displayed by both the COP and EPIK vulnerability assessment methods are reflected by different pollution events in Tanour and Rasoun karst springs especially during the winter season. The high sensitivity of the aquifer to pollution can be explained by different factors such as: thin or absent soil cover, the high development of the epikarst and karst network, and the lithology and confining conditions of the aquifer.