Groundwater contamination risks from conservative point source pollutants in a future climate

Abstract

The groundwater contamination risk in future climates was investigated at three locations in Sweden. Solute transport penetration depths were simulated using the HYDRUS-1D model using historical data and an ensemble of climate projections including two global climate models (GCMs), three emission scenarios and one regional climate model. Most projections indicated increasing precipitation and evapotranspiration until mid-century with a further increase at end-century. Results showed both increasing and decreasing groundwater contamination risks depending on emission scenario and GCM. Generally, the groundwater contamination risk is likely to be unchanged until mid-century, but higher at the end of the century. Soil and site specific relationships between Δ(P -PET) (i.e. change in the difference between precipitation, P, and potential evapotranspiration, PET) and changes in solute transport depths were determined. Using this, changes in solute transport depths for other climate projections can be assessed. ARTICLE HISTORY

Pollution Vulnerability of the Ghiss Nekkor Alluvial Aquifer in Al-Hoceima (Morocco), Using GIS-Based DRASTIC Model

“…The GIS-based DRASTIC method was employed to analyze groundwater intrinsic vulnerability based on seven hydrogeological characteristics that might impact pollution transport via vadose zone to aquifers [ 23 , 24 ]. These parameters are depth to water (parameter D), recharge or infiltration (parameter R), type of aquifer (parameter A), type of soil (parameter S), topography (parameter T), nature of the vadose zone (parameter I), and the hydraulic conductivity (parameter C).…”

“…The flowchart of the methodology and approaches used is presented in Figure 3 . The linear additional combination of the previously mentioned parameters, including weights and ratings, was applied to generate the (DVI) DRASTIC vulnerability index shown below [ 23 ]: …”

“…The unique assessment classes altered the DRASTIC approach for each parameter relevant to the research area [ 23 ]. The five-class land use map was selected to reflect the many methods that may contribute to groundwater pollution.…”

“…The DRASTIC approach is considered one of the major models used in groundwater vulnerability evaluation [ 23 ]. Nevertheless, to produce a reasonably accurate result, the DRASTIC approach must be adapted to meet the specific hydrogeological demands of the region in which it is used [ 24 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, to produce a reasonably accurate result, the DRASTIC approach must be adapted to meet the specific hydrogeological demands of the region in which it is used [ 24 ]. To examine and evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater in the Ghiss Nekkor alluvial aquifer to pollution risk, many methodologies have been developed [ 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. However, there is no standard methodology for evaluating and validating an aquifer approach.…”