Evaluating the Aquifer Vulnerability in Ajabshir Plain to Prevent Contamination Risks and Apply Optimal Management

Nakhostinrouhi, Mahsa; Rezaei Moghaddam, Mohammad Hossein; Rahimpour, Tohid

doi:10.22111/jneh.2018.22204.1322

Evaluating the Aquifer Vulnerability in Ajabshir Plain to Prevent Contamination Risks and Apply Optimal Management

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ M.A. in Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

² Professor of Geomorphology, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

³ PhD in Geomorphology, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2018.22204.1322

Abstract

Groundwater resources are considered very important, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions. Evaluating the vulnerability potential of these resources for conserving and preventing them from being polluted is included as the environmental organizations' priorities. Ajabshir plain is located in East Azerbaijan Province and northwest of Iran. The present study has been conducted to prepare intrinsic vulnerability maps in the aquifer of Ajabshir plain using DRASTIC and GODS methods. In DRASTIC model 7 factors including depth to water, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, the impact of vadose zone and hydraulic conductivity are used. Four factors including aquifer type, vadose zone, depth of the groundwater, and soil media are also used in GODS model. Providing, ranking, and weighting of the layers in each model have been done in ArcGIS software. Then vulnerability maps have been provided through overlaying these layers. In the DRASTIC model, the study area has been classified into four classes, including very low (13.48%), low (55.43%), moderate to low (28.69%), and moderate to high (3.08%). The study area has also been classified into three classes, including low (43.36%), moderate (52.42%), and high (4.21%) by GODS model. Generally, the vulnerability has been evaluated low and moderate in a massive area of the aquifer while a very small part of the study area has been recognized as the most vulnerable area through both models.

Keywords

References

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