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Using Generic and Pesticide DRASTIC GIS-based models for vulnerability assessment of the Quaternary aquifer at Sohag, Egypt

Utilisation des modèles Generic DRASTIC-GIS et Pesticide DRASTIC-GIS pour l’évaluation de la vulnérabilité de l’aquifère de Sohag, Egypte

Uso de modelos génerico y de pesticidas basados en el DRASTIC GIS para la evaluación de la vulnerabilidad en el acuífero Cuaternario en Sohag, Egipto

应用基于GIS的背景和杀虫剂的DRASTIC模型进行埃及索哈杰省第四系含水层的脆弱性评价

Utilização de modelos baseados no método DRASTIC genérico e no método DRASTIC para pesticidas acoplados a um SIG para a avaliação da vulnerabilidade do aquífero Quaternário em Sohag, Egipto

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Abstract

Groundwater resources in the Sohag area, Egypt are currently threatened by contamination from municipal and industrial activities, and agricultural pesticides. To cope with the growing population, there has been development in the desert zone on both sides of the Nile Valley including agricultural investment areas, wastewater disposal sites, new urban areas, and industry. Use of agrochemicals in the old cultivated and newly reclaimed lands and wastewater disposal sites in the study area represent the most hazardous contamination sources. Prevention of contamination and management of the Quaternary aquifer is urgently needed. To address vulnerability assessment of the Quaternary aquifer, the Generic and Pesticide DRASTIC GIS-based models have been used. The Generic DRASTIC index ranged between 94 and 189, and the Pesticide DRASTIC index ranged between 94 and 226. The results showed that 83% of the Quaternary aquifer is characterized by the high and very high vulnerability classes to municipal, industrial and agricultural pesticides contamination. It was found that nearly all the development projects are located in the very high vulnerability class areas. Management alternatives for the Quaternary aquifer may be improved by application of these models, allowing sensitive groundwater sources to be protected for continuing use in the future.

Résumé

Les ressources en eau souterraine de la région de Sohag, Egypte, sont actuellement menacées de pollution par les activités urbaines, industrielles, et par les pesticides agricoles. Pour faire face à l’accroissement de la population, on a aménagé une zone désertique des deux côtés de la vallée du Nil, avec investissements agricoles, lagunages, nouvelles zones urbaines, industries. L’utilisation de composés chimiques sur les terres anciennement cultivées et sur celles récemment mises en valeur, ainsi que les lagunages, représentent les sources de contamination les plus dangereuses. La protection contre les pollutions et la gestion de l’aquifère quaternaire sont extrêmement urgentes. Pour s’attaquer à l’évaluation de la vulnérabilité de l’aquifère quaternaire, on a utilisé les modèles “Generic DRASTIC” et “Pesticide DRASTIC” basés sur GIS. L’index Generic DRASTIC s’échelonne entre 94 et 189, et l’index Pesticide DRASTIC s’échelonne entre 94 et 226. Les résultats ont montré que 84% de l’aquifère quaternaire présente une vulnérabilité Forte à Très Forte. On a découvert que presque tous les projets de développements sont localisés dans les zones classées Très Haute Vulnérabilité. La gestion de l’aquifère quaternaire peut être améliorée par l’utilisation de ces modèles, permettant aux ressources en eau souterraine vulnérables d’être protégées durablement pour leur utilisation future.

Resumen

Los recursos de agua subterránea en la zona Sohag, Egipto están actualmente amenazados por la contaminación de actividades industriales y municipales, y por plaguicidas agrícolas. Para hacer frente al crecimiento de la población, ha existido un desarrollo en la zona desértica a ambos lados del Valle del Nilo, incluyendo áreas de inversión agrícola, sitios de eliminación de aguas residuales, nuevos centros urbanos e industrias. El uso de agroquímicos en las antiguas tierras cultivadas y en tierras recientemente recuperadas y los sitios de eliminación de aguas residuales en la zona del estudio representan las fuentes más peligrosas de contaminación. Es necesario en forma urgente la prevención de la contaminación y gestión del acuífero Cuaternario. Se utilizaron los modelos génerico y de pesticidas basado en DRASTIC GIS para enfocar la evaluación de la vulnerabilidad del acuífero Cuaternario. El índice genérico del DRASTIC varió entre 94 y 189, mientras que el de pesticida de DRASTIC varió entre 94 y 226. Los resultados mostraron que el 83% del acuífero Cuaternario está caracterizado por una clase de vulnerabilidad alta y muy alta a la contaminación industrial y municipal y por pesticidas agrícolas. Se encontró que casi todos los proyectos de desarrollo están localizados en zonas con una clase de muy alta vulnerabilidad. Las alternativas de gestión del acuífero Cuaternario pueden ser mejoradas por la aplicación de estos modelos, permitiendo que las fuentes sensibles de aguas subterráneas sean protegidas para su uso continuado en el futuro.

摘要

来, 埃及索哈杰地区的地下水资源受到了城市、工业活动和农业杀虫剂污染的威胁. 为应对人口增长, 农业投资区、废水处理站、新的市区和工业已发展至尼罗河河谷两岸的荒漠地区. 在传统耕地和新开垦土地上使用的农用化学品及研究区中的废水处理站是最具危害的污染源. 故亟需进行污染防治和第四系含水层的管理. 为评价第四系含水层的脆弱性, 应用了基于GIS的背景的和杀虫剂的DRASTIC模型. 背景DRASTIC指数为94至189, 杀虫剂DRASTIC指数为94至226. 结果表明, 对于城市、工业和农业杀虫剂污染, 83%的第四系含水层的脆弱性等级为高和非常高. 且几乎所有的发展计划都位于脆弱性非常高的地区. 第四系含水层的管理措施或可通过这些模型的应用得到改进, 以保护这些敏感的地下水资源在未来的持续利用.

Resumo

Os recursos de água subterrânea na área de Sohag, Egipto, estão actualmente ameaçados pela contaminação por actividades municipais e industriais, e pelos pesticidas utilizados na agricultura. Devido ao aumento da população, tem havido um desenvolvimento económico crescente na zona do deserto, em ambas as margens do rio Nilo, e que inclui a construção de áreas de desenvolvimento agrícola, estações de tratamento de águas residuais, novas zonas urbanas e indústria. O uso de produtos agroquímicos, quer nos antigos, quer nos novos terrenos agrícolas, e as estações de tratamento de águas residuais, representam no entanto as mais perigosas fontes de contaminação. É urgente a prevenção da contaminação e a gestão do aquífero Quaternário. De forma a avaliar a vulnerabilidade deste sistema aquífero foram usados os modelos baseados no método DRASTIC genérico e no método DRASTIC para pesticidas acoplados a um SIG. O índice DRASTIC genérico variou entre 94 e 189, e o índice DRASTIC para pesticidas variou entre 94 e 226. Os resultados mostram que 83% do aquífero Quaternário é caracterizado por uma vulnerabilidade à contaminação por actividades municipais, industriais e por pesticidas agrícolas que varia de elevada a muito elevada. Conclui-se que a grande maioria dos projectos de desenvolvimento se encontram sobre áreas que apresentam a classe de vulnerabilidade mais elevada. As alternativas de gestão dos recursos do aquífero Quaternário podem ser melhoradas através da utilização deste tipo de modelos, permitindo que os recursos de água subterrânea mais sensíveis sejam protegidos para ser usados de forma continuada no futuro.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the General Authority of Sohag Governorate (GASG) for supporting this work and providing the information. The author also thanks the anonymous reviewers and editors of Hydrogeology Journal for their kind efforts and support.

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  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Naser City, 82524, Egypt

    Ayman A. Ahmed

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Ahmed, A.A. Using Generic and Pesticide DRASTIC GIS-based models for vulnerability assessment of the Quaternary aquifer at Sohag, Egypt. Hydrogeol J 17, 1203–1217 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0433-3

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