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A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing shallow groundwater vulnerability in the Zhangye Basin, northwestern China

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Groundwater vulnerability is a cornerstone in evaluating the risk of groundwater contamination and developing management options to preserve the quality of groundwater. Based on the professional model (DRASTIC model) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques, this paper carries out the shallow groundwater vulnerability assessment in the Zhangye Basin. The DRASTIC model uses seven environmental parameters (depth to water, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity) to characterize the hydrogeological setting and evaluate aquifer vulnerability. According to the results of the shallow groundwater vulnerability assessment, the Zhangye Basin can be divided into three zones: low groundwater vulnerability risk zone (risk index <120); middle groundwater vulnerability risk zone (risk indexes 120–140) and high risk zone (risk index >140). Under the natural conditions, the middle and high groundwater vulnerability risk zones of the Zhangye Basin are mainly located in the groundwater recharge zones and the important cities. The high, middle and low groundwater vulnerability risk zones of the Zhangye Basin cover around 17, 21 and 62% of study area, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Project of Chinese Academy of Science to young scientists in Western China (0628221001). National Science Foundation of China (40501012). The Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS (KZCX2-XB2-04-02). The authors wish to thank the anonymous reviewers for their reading of the manuscript, and for their suggestions and critical comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research for Sustainable Develomnent, Chinese Academy of Science, Yinhai Rd 26, Yantai, 264003, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaohu Wen

  2. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Tunxi Rd 193, Hefei, 230009, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jun Wu

  3. Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science, Donggang West Rd 260, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jianhua Si

Authors
  1. Xiaohu Wen
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  2. Jun Wu
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  3. Jianhua Si
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Correspondence to Xiaohu Wen.

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Wen, X., Wu, J. & Si, J. A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing shallow groundwater vulnerability in the Zhangye Basin, northwestern China. Environ Geol 57, 1435–1442 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1421-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1421-y

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