DRASTIC Index GIS-Based Vulnerability Map for the Entre-os-Rios Thermal Aquifer

This study aims to investigate the groundwater vulnerability concerning potentially toxic elements in the vicinity of the abandoned iron mine of Ouixane (Morocco). A modified DRASTIC method (DRSTI) is proposed with satisfactory results. High vulnerability zones represent 40% of the study area, while medium and low vulnerability represent, respectively, 42% and 18% of the study area. These results have been validated by groundwater geochemical analyses of potentially toxic elements carried out in the framework of previous studies in the same area. Thus, the superposition of the waste rock and tailings map with the vulnerability map showed that the latter is located in areas of high to medium vulnerability and therefore constitutes the main cause of the deterioration of the geochemical quality of groundwater. Otherwise, the vulnerability method showed that the main parameters that significantly affect the vulnerability are: the depth of water (D), net recharge (R), and the unsaturated zone (I), while the other parameters do not significantly affect the model used and do not have much influence on the results of the vulnerability assessment. The method used allowed us to locate the most vulnerable areas to potentially metallic toxic elements pollution resulting from the abandoned iron mine of Ouixane, and it constitutes a tool for decision support and for developing effective action plans to mitigate and monitor the effects of the transfer of potentially toxic elements pollution to groundwater.

Section: Groundwater Vulnerability Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Vulnerability and Potentially Toxic Elements Associated with the Iron Mining District of Ouixane (Northeast of Morocco)

Khafouri

Talbi

Abdelouas

et al. 2022

“…Map algebra calculations facilitate mathematical operations among thematic maps to generate composite spatial maps or charts, such as vulnerability or suitability maps [69]. GIS has been previously used to develop DRASTIC-based vulnerability maps, but mainly focused on contamination risks from wastewater facilities, garbage deposits, underground gas or fuel deposits, sanitary landfills, soils contaminated by industrial activities, and agricultural soils contaminated with an excess of fertilizers (specifically nitrate) or pesticides [45,51,57,[70][71][72]. For example, Sinan and Razack [73] evaluated the vulnerability of Marrakech's Haouz aquifer to various pollution sources, including Marrakech's industrial park, industrial facilities, cemeteries, and waste deposits near Ourika and Tahanaout.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delineation of Potential Groundwater Zones and Assessment of Their Vulnerability to Pollution from Cemeteries Using GIS and AHP Approaches Based on the DRASTIC Index and Specific DRASTIC

Gonçalves,

Albuquerque,

Almeida

et al. 2024

Self Cite

The risk of aquifer contamination is determined by the interaction between the pollutant load and the vulnerability of an aquifer. Owing to the decomposition of bodies and degradation of artefacts, cemeteries may have a negative impact on groundwater quality and suitability for use due to the leaching of organic compounds (e.g., biodegradable organics, pharmaceuticals, and formaldehyde), inorganic compounds (e.g., nitrate and heavy metals), pathogenic bacteria, and viruses. Factors such as burial and soil type, rainfall amount, and groundwater depth may increase aquifer vulnerability to pollutants generated in cemeteries. The potential for groundwater contamination was investigated in two cemeteries of the Soure region in Portugal (Samuel–UC9 and Vinha da Rainha–UC10), using the classic DRASTIC model, followed by some adjustments, depending on the particularities of the locations, resulting in a Final Classification considered as Specific DRASTIC. By combining Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) were identified, and aquifer vulnerability was assessed, which included the elaboration of thematic maps using GIS operation tools. The maps allowed for the identification of areas with different susceptibilities to contamination: from “Low” to “Very high” for the DRASTIC index and from “Very Low” to “Very high” for the Specific DRASTIC index. Although the difference between the UC9 and UC10 cemeteries is negligible, UC10 is more vulnerable because of its proximity to the community and critically important mineral water resources (such as Bicanho Medical Spa). The Specific model seems better-suited for describing vulnerability to cemeteries. Although there is limited groundwater quality data for the area, the development of vulnerability maps can identify areas that can be sensitive spots for groundwater contamination and establish procedures for pollution prevention.

“…It includes the following republics of the North Caucasus Federal District: Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria and the Stavropol Territory. The area of the resort is 5243 km 2 [1][2][3]. The Government of the Russian Federation has assigned this territory the status of an ecological resort region, where economic activities are regulated by a special regime of environmental management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology to Increase the Efficiency of the Mineral Water Extraction Process

Ilyushin,

Nosova

2024

The most important source of human life support is water. During the development of mineral water fields, unsustainable patterns of production and consumption have been observed, which could lead to environmental damage and the deterioration of mineral water quality and sources. In this work, a procedure for determining the modified link’s parameters, replacing the static and dynamic indicators of the hydrodynamic process, is proposed. Recording the parameters at the different filtration coefficients along the spatial coordinates allows the environmental safety of aquifers to be increased and the pressure of the reservoir to be stabilized. The presented approach allows the accuracy of the process used to control the reservoir’s pressure to be increased.