Abstract
In this study, intrinsic groundwater vulnerability for the shallow aquifer in northeastern Missan governorate, south of Iraq is evaluated using commonly used DRASTIC model in framework of GIS environment. Preparation of DRASTIC parameters is attained through gathering data from different sources including field survey, geological and meteorological data, a digital elevation model DEM of the study area, archival database, and published research. The different data used to build DRASTIC model are arranged in a geospatial database using spatial analyst extension of ArcGIS 10.2 software. The obtained results related to the vulnerability to general contaminants show that the study area is characterized by two vulnerability zones: low and moderate. Ninety-four percentage (94 %) of the study area has a low class of groundwater vulnerability to contamination, whereas a total of (6 %) of the study area has moderate vulnerability. The pesticides DRASTIC index map shows that the study area is also characterized by two zones of vulnerability: low and moderate. The DRASTIC map of this version clearly shows that small percentage (13 %) of the study area has low vulnerability to contamination, and most parts have moderate vulnerability (about 87 %). The final results indicate that the aquifer system in the interested area is relatively protected from contamination on the groundwater surface. To mitigate the contamination risks in the moderate vulnerability zones, a protective measure must be put before exploiting the aquifer and before comprehensive agricultural activities begin in the area.
Highlights
The term ‘‘vulnerability’’ is used to describe the degree to which human or environmental systems are likely to experience harm due to perturbation or stress, and can be identified for a specified system, hazard, or group of hazards (Popescu et al 2008)
The different data used to build DRASTIC model are arranged in a geospatial database using spatial analyst extension of ArcGIS 10.2 software
The objective of this study is to evaluate intrinsic vulnerability of the principal aquifer in northeastern Missan governorate, south of Iraq for both general and pesticides contaminants using the most popular DRASTIC overlay and index method
Summary
The term ‘‘vulnerability’’ is used to describe the degree to which human or environmental systems are likely to experience harm due to perturbation or stress, and can be identified for a specified system, hazard, or group of hazards (Popescu et al 2008). DRASTIC system is the most widely method used to evaluate intrinsic vulnerability for a wide range of potential contaminants It is an overlay and index model designed to produce vulnerability scores by combining several thematic maps. It was originally developed in USA under cooperative agreement between the National Water Well Association (NWWA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for detail hydrogeological evaluation of pollution potential (Rundquist et al 1991). Hydrogeological setting is a composite description of all major geologic and hydrogeological factors which affect the groundwater movement into, through, and out of the area These factors are: depth to water, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography (slope), impact of vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity. Agricultural contaminants such as pesticides will dissolve in the irrigation water and infiltrate through the soil profile
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