An integrated modelling tool to evaluate the acceptability of irrigation constraint measures for groundwater protection

Portoghese, Ivan; D’Agostino, Daniela; Giordano, R.; Scardigno, Alessandra; Apollonio, Ciro; Vurro, Michele

doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.03.001

Cited by 40 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Previous work has examined approaches to groundwater protection policy, including in complex settings of multiple stakeholders with varied priorities [91,92]; however, environmental contaminants that present human health risks are not typically emphasized in those analyses. Other studies have reported on the vulnerability of aquifers to contaminants such as nitrates and pesticides in the U.S. and elsewhere, and these locations may similarly benefit from an integrated assessment that includes an evaluation of exposure pathways and health risks [93][94][95].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Shallow-Aquifer Vulnerability to Multiple Contaminants and Drinking-Water Exposure Pathways in Holliston, Massachusetts

Henn

Ogneva‐Himmelberger

Denehy³

et al. 2017

Water

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Half of U.S. drinking water comes from aquifers, and very shallow ones (<20 feet to water table) are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic contamination. We present the case of Holliston, a Boston, Massachusetts suburb that draws its drinking water from very shallow aquifers, and where metals and solvents have been reported in groundwater. Community concerns focus on water discolored by naturally occurring manganese (Mn), despite reports stating regulatory aesthetic compliance. Epidemiologic studies suggest Mn is a potentially toxic element (PTE) for children exposed by the drinking-water pathway at levels near the regulatory aesthetic level. We designed an integrated, community-based project: five sites were profiled for contaminant releases; service areas for wells were modeled; and the capture zone for one vulnerable well was estimated. Manganese, mercury, and trichloroethylene are among 20 contaminants of interest. Findings show that past and/or current exposures to multiple contaminants in drinking water are plausible, satisfying the criteria for complete exposure pathways. This case questions the adequacy of aquifer protection and monitoring regulations, and highlights the need for integrated assessment of multiple contaminants, associated exposures and health risks. It posits that community-researcher partnerships are essential for understanding and solving complex problems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Shallow-Aquifer Vulnerability to Multiple Contaminants and Drinking-Water Exposure Pathways in Holliston, Massachusetts

Henn

Ogneva‐Himmelberger

Denehy³

et al. 2017

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Decision support systems have the ability to integrate diverse aspects of the planning process, and may take into account the spatial dimension. As such, they have been broadly used in the management of natural resources, including water [44,45], fire [46,47], or wind [48]. Decision support systems may be used to produce scenarios or forecasts [49] and may encompass a large number of qualitative or quantitative variables.…”

Section: Methodological Precedents Research Objectives and Noveltiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the Viability, Time, and Cost of Manual Borehole Drilling in Developing Regions

Martínez‐Santos

Martín-Loeches

Solera

et al. 2017

Water

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While access to water remains an issue in arid and semiarid regions across the world, aquifers have the potential to help millions of people out of poverty by providing a reliable source of drinking and irrigation water. Manual boreholes are increasingly advocated as a safe and cost-effective substitute to mechanized drilling, as well as to traditional excavation methods. This research banks on the assumption that field and remote sensing data can be integrated within a geospatial database in order to map the viability of manual boreholes based on factors such as rock type, water table depth, landforms, or water quality. The approach presents three main novelties in relation to methodological precedents: (1) outcomes are not only expressed in terms of technical feasibility, but also as a function of drilling time and cost; (2) maps refer to a specific drilling technique; and (3) results take into account borehole diameter, as this constrains both drilling time and cost. The method provides univocal outcomes that can be immediately useful for non-experts, donors, planners, or practitioners and that can be readily exported to other catchment-scale settings. Results were validated against geophysical data.

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“…The karstic nature of the soil results in a lack of superficial watercourses and a highly developed subterranean hydrology. This is characterized by the presence of two distinct systems: a multilevel shallow aquifer, occupying only 35% of the territory and an extensive deep aquifer, intensively exploited as a source of drinking [7] and irrigation water [8] consistently threatened by salt water intrusion. As recently described [9][10][11], groundwater quality in Salento has been continuously worsening due to excessive and uncontrolled pumping and to point and diffuse sources of pollution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Grey Water Footprint Assessment of Groundwater Chemical Pollution: Case Study in Salento (Southern Italy)

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The worsening of groundwater quality is a huge problem for some regions, especially where a karst aquifer system is the most important water resource because of the deficiency of a well-developed superficial water supply. In this study the chemical quality of a deep aquifer of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), where a shallow aquifer and an extensive deep aquifer are exploited as a source of drinking water and irrigation water, was monitored. The indicator used to assess the sustainability of pollution produce by human activities is the "grey water footprint" (GWF) which measures the amount of water required to assimilate a polluting load produced from anthropic activity. The GWF, calculated for each chemical parameter, shows a widespread contamination by Mercury (Hg), Vanadium (V) and Ammonium (NH 4 + ) with concentrations above the limits (Lgs. D. 31/2001). The high Mercury and Vanadium concentrations may thus be associated with anthropic pressures on the aquifer, while Ammonium derives mainly from fertilizers used in agriculture. The situation that emerged involves reflections on the continuous human pressure on natural resources. Therefore, the management of groundwater quality requires a multidisciplinary approach focused on identifying the measures necessary to protect our water resources.

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An integrated modelling tool to evaluate the acceptability of irrigation constraint measures for groundwater protection

Cited by 40 publications

References 37 publications

Integrated Assessment of Shallow-Aquifer Vulnerability to Multiple Contaminants and Drinking-Water Exposure Pathways in Holliston, Massachusetts

Integrated Assessment of Shallow-Aquifer Vulnerability to Multiple Contaminants and Drinking-Water Exposure Pathways in Holliston, Massachusetts

Mapping the Viability, Time, and Cost of Manual Borehole Drilling in Developing Regions

A Grey Water Footprint Assessment of Groundwater Chemical Pollution: Case Study in Salento (Southern Italy)

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