Cartographie de la vulnerabilité spécifique des aquifères karstique

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C99.0079

Key words (English)

Hydrogeology; specific vulnerability; vulnerability mapping; carbonates; karst aquifers; contaminants; groundwater protection; tracer testing

Research programs (English)

COST-Action 620 - Cartographie de la vulnérabilité en vue de la protection des aquifères carbonates

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

A, B, HR, F, D, GR, H, IRL, I, MT, SK, SI, E, CH, GB

Abstract (English)

Aquifers are potentially exposed to the impact of various contaminants with differing subsurface fate and transport characteristics. Intrinsic groundwater vulnerability assessment cannot account for this diversity of processes, but chooses the worst case scenario of a conservative substance. The objective of such approaches is to determine a common transport scenario for all contaminant types. Conversely, specific vulnerability mapping attempts to differentiate between particular contaminants, or groups of contaminants, facilitating a more sophisticated means of environmental management. With current GIS availability, an intrinsic vulnerability map may be inexpensively subdivided into several contaminant specific maps. However, specific vulnerability mapping requires more detailed information about hydrogeological systems. In the framework of the European COST Action 620, a general conceptual model for contaminant specific vulnerability assessment has been compiled. It builds upon the hydraulic characteristics that are taken into account during intrinsic vulnerability mapping, as well as using subsurface physico-chemical variables. These parameters are linked to the contaminant properties by specific attenuation processes that may operate in the subsurface. A methodical procedure, with special consideration given to karst environments, was established based on this concept. It was, among others, applied to the Vaulion karst system in the Swiss Jura Mountains, resulting in several specific vulnerability maps. The maps display the general contrast between intrinsic vulnerability mapping and specific vulnerability mapping, as well as the differences in several specific maps. Artificial tracer testing may be an appropriate means for verifying the established assumptions of the method and for validating the corresponding maps.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C99.0079