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Groundwater sensitivity mapping in Kentucky using GIS and digitally vectorized geologic quadrangles

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Groundwater sensitivity (Ray and O’dell in Environ Geol 22:345–352, 1993a) refers to the inherent ease with which groundwater can be contaminated based on hydrogeologic characteristics. We have developed digital methods for identifying areas of varying groundwater sensitivity for a ten county area of south central Kentucky at a scale of 1:100,000. The study area includes extensive limestone karst sinkhole plains, with groundwater extremely sensitive to contamination. Digitally vectorized geologic quadrangles (DVGQs) were combined with elevation data to identify both hydrogeologic groundwater sensitivity regions and zones of “high risk runoff” where contaminants could be transported in runoff from less sensitive to higher sensitivity (particularly karst) areas. While future work will fine-tune these maps with additional layers of data (soils for example) as digital data have become available, using DVGQs allows a relatively rapid assessment of groundwater sensitivity for Kentucky at a more useful scale than previously available assessment methods, such as DRASTIC and DIVERSITY.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (we appreciate the assistance of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell), the Barren River Area Development District, the National Park Service—Mammoth Cave National Park, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Western Kentucky University Applied Research and Technology Program and Action Agenda Program. We also appreciate assistance in this research from Heather Veerkamp, Weldon Hawkins, Ben Tobin, Pat Kambesis, Kevin Cary, Shwu Jing and Amy Edwards.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO, 80225-0287, USA

    Andrea Croskrey

  2. Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd #31066, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 42101-1066, USA

    Andrea Croskrey & Chris Groves

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  1. Andrea Croskrey
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  2. Chris Groves
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Correspondence to Andrea Croskrey.

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Geographic definitions: United States of America, Kentucky, Barren River Area Development District.

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Croskrey, A., Groves, C. Groundwater sensitivity mapping in Kentucky using GIS and digitally vectorized geologic quadrangles. Environ Geol 54, 913–920 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0899-z

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