Abstract
A simplified methodology for mapping groundwater vulnerability and contamination risk is proposed, and the first application of the methodology, in a mountainous tropical karst area, is presented. The test site is the Tam Duong area, one of the poorest and remotest regions in northern Vietnam. The methodology requires a minimum of input data, which makes it particularly useful for developing countries. Vulnerability is assessed on the basis of two factors, which take into account the duality of recharge processes in karst aquifer systems: the overlying layers (O) and the concentration of flow (C). The risk map is obtained by putting together the vulnerability map and a simplified hazard assessment. The resulting maps provide a basis for groundwater protection zoning and land-use planning. Tracer tests and microbiological data confirmed the vulnerability and risk assessment in the test site.
Résumé
Une méthodologie simplifiée de cartographie de la vulnérabilité des eaux souterraines et du risque de contamination est proposée. Une première application est présentée, dans une zone karstique montagneuse sous climat tropical. Le site expérimental choisi est le secteur de Tam Duong, une des régions les plus pauvres et les plus isolées du Nord Vietnam. Cette approche ne nécessite qu’une quantité minimale de données d’entrée, ce qui en fait un outil utile pour les pays en voie de développement. L’appréciation de la vulnérabilité est basée sur deux facteurs prenant en compte la dualité des processus de recharge des systèmes karstiques: les couches supérieures (“overlying layers”, facteur O), et la concentration des flux d’infiltration (“concentration of flow”, facteur C). Le recoupement de la carte de vulnérabilité avec l’estimation simplifiée des aléas permet d’établir la carte des risques. Les cartes résultantes fournissent une base pour le zonage de la protection des eaux souterraines et l’aménagement de l’espace. Traçages et données microbiologiques ont confirmé les évaluations de la vulnérabilité et des risques effectuées sur le site expérimental.
Resumen
Se propone una metodología simplificada para realizar la cartografía de la vulnerabilidad de agua subterránea y el riesgo a la contaminación y se presenta la primera aplicación de la metodología en un área kárstica tropical montañosa. El sitio evaluado es el área Tam Duong, una de las regiones más pobres y remotas del norte de Vietnam. La metodología requiere un mínimo de datos de entrada lo que la hace particularmente útil para países en desarrollo. La vulnerabilidad se evalúa en base a dos factores los cuales toman en cuenta la dualidad de los procesos de recarga en sistemas de acuíferos kársticos: las capas sobreyacientes (O) y la concentración de flujo (C). El mapa de riesgo se obtiene mediante la integración del mapa de vulnerabilidad y una evaluación simplificada de la amenaza. Los mapas producidos de esta manera aportan bases para la zonificación de la protección de aguas subterráneas y la planificación del uso de la tierra. Pruebas con trazadores y datos microbiológicos confirman la vulnerabilidad y la evaluación de riesgos en el sitio experimental.
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Acknowledgements
The Swiss Federal Commission for Foreign Students and the Belgian Technical Cooperation partially funded this study. We thank the RIGMR researchers for information and logistic support, and D. M. Cung and the people from Tam Duong for their help in the field. We are grateful to Prof. F. De Smedt and Dr. O. Batelaan (Free University of Brussels) and Prof. F. Zwahlen (CHYN) for their kind support, and D. Daly, M. Lee (GSI) and Prof. D. Drew (Trinity College Dublin) for valuable suggestions and corrections.
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Nguyet, V.T.M., Goldscheider, N. A simplified methodology for mapping groundwater vulnerability and contamination risk, and its first application in a tropical karst area, Vietnam. Hydrogeol J 14, 1666–1675 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0069-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0069-5