A methodology for assessing the pressures on transboundary groundwater quantity and quality – experiences from the Dinaric karst

Abstract

A relatively novel and abridged methodology for assessing the quantity and quality status of groundwater bodies has been applied in the Dinaric karst of SE Europe. Validation of pressure on quantity is based on groundwater budgeting and the correlation of available groundwater reserves and projected water demands, while pressure on quality is estimated by GIS-created maps: vulnerability – hazard – risk. The results obtained from the studied groundwater bodies indicate mostly low pressure on water quantity, but increased risk from diffuse and point pollution sources. The application of methods is possible in many transboundary and inner aquifer systems even in geologically complex environments where there is insufficient monitoring dataon the groundwater regime.