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Hydrogeology Journal
Published in: Hydrogeology Journal 3/2010

01-05-2010 | Paper

Intrinsic and specific vulnerability of groundwater in central Spain: the risk of nitrate pollution

Authors: Juan J. Martínez-Bastida, Mercedes Arauzo, Maria Valladolid

Published in: Hydrogeology Journal | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

The intrinsic vulnerability of groundwater in the Comunidad de Madrid (central Spain) was evaluated using the DRASTIC and GOD indexes. Groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution was also assessed using the composite DRASTIC (CD) and nitrate vulnerability (NV) indexes. The utility of these methods was tested by analyzing the spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in the different aquifers located in the study area: the Tertiary Detrital Aquifer, the Moor Limestone Aquifer, the Cretaceous Limestone Aquifer and the Quaternary Aquifer. Vulnerability maps based on these four indexes showed very similar results, identifying the Quaternary Aquifer and the lower sub-unit of the Moor Limestone Aquifer as deposits subjected to a high risk of nitrate pollution due to intensive agriculture. As far as the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate concentrations is concerned, the NV index showed the greatest statistical significance (p < 0.01). This new type of multiplicative model offers greater accuracy in estimations of specific vulnerability with respect to the real impact of each type of land use. The results of this study provide a basis on which to guide the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones in the Comunidad de Madrid, in line with European Union Directive 91/676/EEC.
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Metadata
Title
Intrinsic and specific vulnerability of groundwater in central Spain: the risk of nitrate pollution
Authors
Juan J. Martínez-Bastida
Mercedes Arauzo
Maria Valladolid
Publication date
01-05-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Hydrogeology Journal / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1431-2174
Electronic ISSN: 1435-0157
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0549-5

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