Abstract
Groundwater is the most important source of water in the Halabja-Saidsadiq Basin. In this study, to generate a map of groundwater pollution vulnerability of the basin, the standard DRASTIC method has been applied. Due to the close relation between lineament density and groundwater flow and yield, the lineament density map was applied to the standard DRASTIC model in order to ensure accuracy towards the consideration of the effects of potential vulnerability to contamination. A lineament map is extracted from Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) satellite imagery using different techniques in remote sensing and GIS. The lineament density map illustrates that only six classes of lineament density can be identified ranged from (0 - 2.4). The lineament density map was rated and weighted and then converted to lineament index map. This index map is an additional parameter which was added to the standard DRASTIC model so as to map the modi?ed DRASTIC vulnerability in HSB. The standard vulnerability map, classified the basin into four vulnerability index zones: very low (34%), low (13%), moderate (48%) and high (5%). While the modified model classified the area into four categories as well: very low (28.75%), low (14.31%), moderate (46.91%) and high (10.04%). The results demonstrate that there is no significant variation in the rate of vulnerability. Therefore, the nitrate concentration between two different seasons (dry and wet) was analyzed from (30) water wells, considerable variations in nitrate concentration from dry to wet seasons had been noted. Consequently, it confirmed that the HSB are capable to receive the contaminant because of suitability in terms of geological and hydrogeological conditions. Based on this verification, it could be claimed that the effect of lineament density is weak on the vulnerability system in HSB, because of its low density value.
Highlights
Many regions in the world are explicitly dependent on groundwater as one of the main water resource, in the arid and semi-arid regions
The modified DRASTIC model prepared from standard one and lineament density map applied in GIS environment
To assess the prospective vulnerability of groundwater pollution in the Halabja Saidsadiq Basin (HSB) standard DRASTIC index model applied in GIS environment
Summary
Many regions in the world are explicitly dependent on groundwater as one of the main water resource, in the arid and semi-arid regions. In Halabja and Saidsadiq area which is located in the northeastern part of Iraq (Figure 1), groundwater plays an important role in providing water for drinking, industrial and agricultural activities. The administrative structure of Halabja has been changed from District to Governorate in March 2014; this will definitely enhance the beginning of greater economic development and advancement In view of these changes, there is an increase in the numbers of people heading to live in this basin and its surrounding regions. This is imposing a growing demand for water which has placed substantial pressures on water resources. It should be mentioned that the area has large number of surface water projects which are heavily dependent on ground water for drinking, irrigation and industry
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