Land‐Surface Zoning for Groundwater Protection

Abstract

A procedure for land‐surface zoning, related to the protection of groundwater against both point and diffuse pollution, is described. The procedure is based upon two independent elements: (i) Division of the entire land surface on the basis of the aquifer pollution vulnerability, which relates to protection of groundwater resources; and (ii) A series of special protection areas for individual sources, in which various potentially polluting activities are either prohibited or strictly controlled. The procedure is hydrogeologically based, but not so complex as to be unworkable in practice. For resource protection three classes of formation type are defined, with a further subdivision on the basis of depth to saturated aquifer. In the case of diffuse pollution, it will also be necessary to consider the nature of the soil cover in the area where the polluting activity occurs. For source protection, up to four special protection areas are specified, and the criteria used to define them are discussed.

Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining protection areas using a multi-attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method)

“…In the scope of the development of the EPIK approach, the vulnerability term is defined, as following: Intrinsic vulnerability represents the inherent hydrogeological and geological characteristics which determine the sensitivity of groundwater to contamination by human activities. According to Foster and Hirata (1988), Adams and Foster (1992) and Robins and others (1994), aquifer vulnerability is a function of the natural properties of the overlying soil and rock column or unsaturated zone of the aquifer. The risk of groundwater pollution is dependent on both the "natural" vulnerability according to the aquifer properties and to the subsurface contaminant load imposed by human activity.…”

“…The assessment of specific vulnerability requires consideration ot the characteristics of the aquifer relative to the contaminant and the contaminant itself, in addition to intrinsic hydrogeological and geological characteristics.) Even if the intrinsic vulnerability has only a general meaning in a pollution scenario where specific contaminant take place, according to Andersen and Gosk (1987) and Adams and Foster (1992), the concept of intrinsic vulnerability is necessary to provide a maximum of unbiased information, in order to define protection zones in karst environment. The degradation process are not taken into account in an intrinsic vulnerability approach.…”

Groundwater protection in fractured media: a vulnerability-based approach for delineating protection zones in Switzerland

“…The concept of groundwater vulnerability mapping has been extensively used for different types of aquifers using various evaluation criteria (Vrba and Zaporozec 1994). Parameters taken into account may include: soil thickness and hydraulic conductivity, aquifer type and hydraulic conductivity, depth to groundwater level and net recharge, among others (Aller et al 1987;Adams and Foster 1992). These maps were initially useful in providing a decision tool for land use planning and community information (NRC 1993).…”

Multi Criteria and Landfill Site Selection Using Gis: A Case Study From Palestine~!2010-01-01~!2010-01-24~!2010-03-19~!

“…The PI Method is based on an origin-pathway-target model: The origin of the assumed hazard is the ground surface; the groundwater table in the uppermost aquifer is the target; the pathway includes the layers between the ground surface and the groundwater surface [13]. Thus, the PI method can be used for resource vulnerability mapping.…”