Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination by Organochlorine Pesticides in the Area of Caucasian Mineral Water

The procedure of evaluating pesticide travel time through the aeration zone to the groundwater table is presented. It is found that the time of pollutant travel through rocks of the aeration zone depends on the thickness and composition of rocks of this zone, the porosity of rocks, distribution factor, volumetric humidity, and the infiltration recharge. As shown, the most vulnerable are the valleys of principal rivers of the area of Caucasian Mineral Water, where the Recent and Middle Quaternary aquifers confined to these valleys are intensely used for domestic and drinking needs.