Determination of Groundwater Vulnerability Using the DRASTIC Method in Ouargla Shallow Aquifer (Algerian Sahara)
More details
Hide details
1
Laboratory of Sahara Geology, Department of Earth Sciences and the Universe, University of Ouargla, P.O. Box 511, Ouargla, 30000, Algeria
2
Laboratory of Underground Reservoirs: Oil, Gas and Aquifers, University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, 30000, Algeria
3
Laboratory of Environment Geology, University of Constantine 1, Route Ain El Bey Zouaghi Slimane Constantine, 25000, Algeria
4
Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment Engineering, University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, P.O. Box: 30000, Fez, Morocco
Publication date: 2021-06-06
Corresponding author
Bouselsal Boualem
Laboratory of Underground Reservoirs: Oil, Gas and Aquifers, University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, 30000 Algeria
J. Ecol. Eng. 2021; 22(6):12-19
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Groundwater is the main source for many uses around the city of Ouargla. In this study, the DRASTIC method was used to assess the vulnerability of the groundwater aquifer. The seven hydrogeological parameters of the model (D water depth, R efficient charging, A aquifer type, S soil type, T topography, I unsaturated zone and C hydraulic conductivity) were measured and mapped. The intrinsic vulnerability map of the shallow aquifer, using the DRASTIC method, shows a high to very high vulnerability to pollution. The 91.6 % of the study area has a high vulnerability, 8.4 % of it has a very high vulnerability. Comparison of the DRASTIC maps with the land use map illustrates that the agglomerations and irrigated areas are the most vulnerable areas to pollution, due to the low depth of the aquifer and the infiltration of significant domestic and irrigation wastewater. The results show that the relationship coefficient between the DRASTIC index and nitrate concentration is R= 0.73. This indicates that groundwater vulnerability mapping by DRASTIC method can be applied for sensible groundwater resources management and land-use planning in the study area.