Abstract
The DRASTIC model was tested on the Mitidja aquifer to assess vulnerability to nitrate pollution. Vulnerability indexes were obtained from classic DRASTIC (MDC) and pesticide DRASTIC (MDP) coupled with a geographic information system in which the weights of the model’s parameters were calculated using two weighting techniques: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and single parameter sensitivity analysis (SPSA). The correlations between vulnerability indexes produced by both models and actual nitrate concentration values—measured from 34 system aquifers—show that the best combination is obtained from MDP–AHP (R = 0.72) followed by MDP–SPSA (R = 0.68), MDC–AHP (R = 0.67), MDC–SPSA (R =0.65), MDP (R = 0.64) and lastly MDC (R = 0.60). Pesticide DRASTIC/Analytic hierarchy Process (MDP–AHP) may be recommended as the best model for this case study. This result is important for the spatial analysis of nitrate pollution and will contribute to better management of intensive agricultural plans.
Highlights
The geographical context of the study is “Mitidja”, a populated and economically vivid region where groundwater resources are playing a vital role in meeting urban, agricultural and industrial needs
Depth to water: Water table depths were obtained from boreholes provided by National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (ANRH)
The choice of the best surface was made based on the comparison of the different interpolation methods by the application of the cross-validation technique
Summary
The geographical context of the study is “Mitidja” (north of Algeria), a populated and economically vivid region where groundwater resources are playing a vital role in meeting urban, agricultural and industrial needs. Rached aquifer where high concentrations of nitrates have been recorded mainly caused by intensive and unsustainable agricultural practice [1,2]. A number of studies has established that nitrate concentrations in groundwater were ranging from 20 mg/L to more than 200 mg/L and that the source of this pollution emanates from the leeching of chemical fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and potassium sulphate) [3,4,5]. Numerous approaches have been used or proposed for assessing ground water vulnerability. They range from sophisticated models of the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in the vadose zone and ground water
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