Enhanced Methods for Evaluating Aquifer Susceptibility: Incorporating Static and Dynamic Vulnerability Assessments

Abstract

This study transforms the concept of the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers to pollution by integrating static and dynamic elements into the assessment approach. Our innovative methodology simpli es hydrogeological parameters, facilitating the assessment of groundwater aquifer vulnerability while enabling in-depth analysis of future scenarios, including t the impact of human activities and climate change on the hydrological cycle.The results of our analysis reveal that the dynamic vulnerability method (GCITF) and the conventional DRASTIC method generated 12.15% and 9.30% for the high vulnerability zone, respectively. In comparison, the SINTACS method estimated a low percentage of 0.28%. Overlaying the vulnerability maps revealed agreement between the GCITF, DRASTIC and SINTACS methods in the high-vulnerability zones. In particular, the GCITF method showed a more signi cant extension in zone 2, characterized by an annual extracted volume exceeding 40 Mm3/km2, underlining the importance of considering these sub-factors in dynamic vulnerability assessments. Bivariate statistical analysis, in particular Pearson correlation, revealed a moderate and statistically signi cant positive association between dynamic vulnerability on the one hand and DRASTIC and SINTACS methods on the other. These results underline the importance of integrating dynamic sub-factors for a more accurate and comprehensive vulnerability assessment, re ecting the complexity of hydrological and anthropogenic interactions in uencing aquifer vulnerability.