Using two inherent and specific vulnerability approaches to identify potentials for the development of groundwater resources

One of the appropriate tools to understand the state of development in groundwater resources is to use the concept of vulnerability of groundwater resources. From a theoretical point of view, the concept of aquifer vulnerability is based on two types of special vulnerability and intrinsic vulnerability, which is defined based on hydrogeological characteristics and aquifer pollution. In this study, to assess the vulnerability of Sarkhoon aquifer in Hormozgan province, the Drastic vulnerability index was used to assess the inherent vulnerability and the GQI quality index was used to assess the specific vulnerability of the aquifer. The results of aquifer vulnerability classification showed that the intrinsic vulnerability index in the southern part of the aquifer has a high vulnerability and most of the aquifer range is in the medium vulnerability class. On the other hand, based on quality parameters in wells in the region, GQI index was measured and analyzed. The weighting of this index showed that the TDS parameter is the most important in groundwater resources. Qualitative zoning at the level of the Sarkhon aquifer indicates a decrease in the index and another expression is an increase in the concentration of solutes in the central parts and the outlet of the aquifer. Finally, by normalizing the two indicators of intrinsic aquifer vulnerability and special vulnerability, the Sarkhon aquifer vulnerability index was evaluated and calculated. Vulnerability index estimation showed that the level of vulnerability has increased in the aquifer outlet and this is also consistent with groundwater flow. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the total vulnerability index, the correlation of this index with nitrate concentration was used, which the results indicate a statistical accuracy of 72%.