An integrated GIS based fuzzy pattern recognition model to compute groundwater vulnerability index for decision making

Trends in Water Quality within the Broward County Portion of the Biscayne Aquifer

“…This research covers the southeast coastal area of Broward County Florida, which has a Historically groundwater has been a globally important natural resource for water supply due to its low contamination capabilities, when compared to surface water, as well as its large storage capacity (Hiratsuka, 2011). However, in recent years, due to an increase in urban development, high population growth, and excessive use of fertilizer and pesticides, this resource has come under threat of degradation through overuse, inappropriate use, as well as increased potential contamination sources and releases.…”

“…During high flow conditions such as those found during the rainy season, may cause the larger conduits to reverse water flow from the conduits back into the adjacent aquifer matrix (Screaton, 2004). The groundwater recharge for the Biscayne Aquifer is mainly fed by precipitation received during the wet season (Pathak, 2010).…”

“…These are seven media parameters, collectively called DRASTIC, that are used traditionally in a groundwater PVI method approved by the EPA (Kerr, 1987). The DRASTIC method uses a linear model to calculate the pollution vulnerability of the aquifer environment (Pathak, 2010).…”

“…Studies by Thapinta (2002), Pathak (2010), Nobre (2007), and Secunda (1998) used vulnerability factors to create a groundwater pollution vulnerability map. These vulnerability factors are pollution indicators for the aquifer groundwater.…”

“…Each pollution factor is further divided into either significant media types or numerical ranges, which have an influence on pollution potential (Secunda, 1998). Each pollution vulnerability factor is divided into ranges, and each range has a numerical multiplier assigned (Pathak, 2010).…”