Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer
Background: Groundwater nitrate pollution is an important environmental problem in water resources management. In this regard, specific measures aiming at prevention of water pollution will be helpful to managers and decision-makers. Identification of aquifers’ vulnerable areas and determination of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2014-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_42751_c7d04b76ded0402aff4464fb6fd86dc0.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818481008337485824 |
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| author | Mohammad Ali Baghapour Nasser Talebbeydokhti Hamidreza Tabatabee Amir Fadaei Nobandegani |
| author_facet | Mohammad Ali Baghapour Nasser Talebbeydokhti Hamidreza Tabatabee Amir Fadaei Nobandegani |
| author_sort | Mohammad Ali Baghapour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Groundwater nitrate pollution is an important environmental problem in water resources management. In this regard, specific measures aiming at prevention of water pollution will be helpful to managers and decision-makers. Identification of aquifers’ vulnerable areas and determination of groundwater protection zones using most widely used models, such as DRASTIC and CD, are one of the most useful approaches in water resources’ hygiene. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the vulnerability of Shiraz plain’s unconfined aquifer using the above-mentioned models. Methods: The main hydro-geologic factors affecting the transmission of pollution, including depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and land use parameters were rated, weighted, and integrated using GIS 9.3. Finally, the maps of Shiraz plain’s unconfined aquifer vulnerability were prepared. Results: The vulnerability maps based on these two indexes showed very similar results, identifying the southeastern part of the aquifer, around Maharlu Lake, as the vulnerable zone. The observed nitrate concentrations from the wells in the underlying aquifer were in accordance with these findings. The results of sensitivity analyses indicated the depth parameter as the most effective parameter in vulnerability assessment of Shiraz plain. Conclusion: As Shiraz plain has been covered with fine-grained sediments, except for some central and south-east regions which have moderate vulnerability and high nitrate concentration, its vulnerability is low. Given the intensive agricultural activities and also the rise in groundwater level in southeastern regions, more attention should be paid to these areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T11:29:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f32a27ed0bc43cda5afd5188c0ec5db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2345-2218 2345-3893 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T11:29:46Z |
| publishDate | 2014-04-01 |
| publisher | Shiraz University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f32a27ed0bc43cda5afd5188c0ec5db2022-12-22T01:50:37ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesJournal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System2345-22182345-38932014-04-0122546542751Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined AquiferMohammad Ali Baghapour0Nasser Talebbeydokhti1Hamidreza Tabatabee2Amir Fadaei Nobandegani3Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Civil Engineering, college of engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IR IranDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranBackground: Groundwater nitrate pollution is an important environmental problem in water resources management. In this regard, specific measures aiming at prevention of water pollution will be helpful to managers and decision-makers. Identification of aquifers’ vulnerable areas and determination of groundwater protection zones using most widely used models, such as DRASTIC and CD, are one of the most useful approaches in water resources’ hygiene. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the vulnerability of Shiraz plain’s unconfined aquifer using the above-mentioned models. Methods: The main hydro-geologic factors affecting the transmission of pollution, including depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and land use parameters were rated, weighted, and integrated using GIS 9.3. Finally, the maps of Shiraz plain’s unconfined aquifer vulnerability were prepared. Results: The vulnerability maps based on these two indexes showed very similar results, identifying the southeastern part of the aquifer, around Maharlu Lake, as the vulnerable zone. The observed nitrate concentrations from the wells in the underlying aquifer were in accordance with these findings. The results of sensitivity analyses indicated the depth parameter as the most effective parameter in vulnerability assessment of Shiraz plain. Conclusion: As Shiraz plain has been covered with fine-grained sediments, except for some central and south-east regions which have moderate vulnerability and high nitrate concentration, its vulnerability is low. Given the intensive agricultural activities and also the rise in groundwater level in southeastern regions, more attention should be paid to these areas.http://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_42751_c7d04b76ded0402aff4464fb6fd86dc0.pdfVulnerabilityShiraz aquiferDRASTICCD indexNitrate |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Ali Baghapour Nasser Talebbeydokhti Hamidreza Tabatabee Amir Fadaei Nobandegani Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System Vulnerability Shiraz aquifer DRASTIC CD index Nitrate |
| title | Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer |
| title_full | Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer |
| title_short | Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Determination of Groundwater Protection Zones Using DRASTIC and Composite DRASTIC (CD) Models: The Case of Shiraz Unconfined Aquifer |
| title_sort | assessment of groundwater nitrate pollution and determination of groundwater protection zones using drastic and composite drastic cd models the case of shiraz unconfined aquifer |
| topic | Vulnerability Shiraz aquifer DRASTIC CD index Nitrate |
| url | http://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_42751_c7d04b76ded0402aff4464fb6fd86dc0.pdf |
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