Evaluation of the Vulnerability of the Jarmeh Aquifer using DRASTIC and SINTACS Methods

In recent years that we are faced with water shortage, the entrance of surface pollutants to the groundwater resources has become a serious problem in reducing the quality of groundwater resources. Therefore, identifying vulnerable areas and directing development programs in the areas which have not been vulnerable to pollution is the best way to provide sustainable development programs. In this study, aquifer vulnerability have been assessed using DRASTIC and SINTACS models at the Jarmeh plain, khozestan province. The principle of the DRASTIC model is based on hydrological and hydrogeological pollution transmission conditioning factors. Entering the parameters for both DRASTIC and SINTACS is the same, the main difference between them is that weighing and rating in the SINTACS method is more flexible. Groundwater vulnerability maps have been provided using overlaying of water depth, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of vadose zone, hydraulic conductivity, the results of the mdels and were validated using nitrate concentration map. Correlation between nitrate and groundwater vulnerability maps provided by DRASTIC and SINTACS was 0.36% and 0.48%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was investigated to determine the most effective factors using map removal and single parameter methods. The results of both methods show that the unsaturated zone is the most important factor on groundwater vulnerability in the study area.