Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of a GIS-Based Integrated Vulnerability Risk Assessment for the Mancha Oriental System (SE Spain)

  • Published:
Water Resources Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is widely recognized that groundwater-vulnerability maps are a useful tool for making decisions on designating pollution-vulnerable areas, in addition to being a requirement of European Directive 91/676/EEC. This study addressed the vulnerability of the Mancha Oriental System (MOS) to groundwater contamination with an integrated Generic and Agricultural DRASTIC model approach. In the MOS, groundwater is the sole water resource for a total population of about 275,000 inhabitants and for 1,000 km2 of irrigated crops. DRASTIC vulnerability maps have been drawn up for two different years (1975 and 2002) in which the potentiometric surface has dropped dramatically (80 m in some areas) due to the considerable expansion of irrigated croplands. The quality of available resources has also deteriorated due to the agricultural practices and the discharge of wastewater effluents. Vulnerability maps are used to test the data on nitrate, sulphate, and chloride contents in groundwater in the Central and El Salobral-Los Llanos hydrogeologic domains of the MOS for 2002. Regardless of the method applied, the dramatic alteration in land use leads to a change in the DRASTIC index and vulnerability to groundwater contamination decreases for the study period. Vulnerability in the MOS increases in areas where the irrigation return flow is notable. The lack of a statistical correspondence between the DRASTIC index and the spatial distribution of nitrate, chloride, and sulphate contents and the distribution of the pollution load suggest that this method does not accurately assess the risk of the MOS to groundwater pollution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Adamat RAN, Foster IDL, Baban SMJ (2003) Groundwater vulnerability and risk mapping for the Basaltic aquifer of the Azraq basin of Jordan using GIS, remote sensing and DRASTIC. Appl Geogr 23:303–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hanbali A, Kondoh A (2008) Groundwater vulnerability assessment and evaluation of human activity impact (HAI) within the Dead Sea groundwater basin, Jordan. Hydrogeol J 16:499–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aller L, Bennet T, Leher JH, Petty RJ, Hackett G (1987) DRASTIC: a standardized system for evaluating ground water pollution potential using hydrogeological settings. EPA 600/2-87-035: 622

  • Almasri MN (2008) Assessment of intrinsic vulnerability to contamination for Gaza coastal aquifer, Palestine. J Environ Manage 88:577–593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Zabet T (2002) Evaluation of aquifer vulnerability to contamination potential using the DRASTIC method. Environ Geol 43:203–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonakos AK, Lambrakis NJ (2007) Development and testing of three hybrid methods for the assessment of aquifer vulnerability to nitrates, based on the drastic model, an example from NE Korinthia, Greece. J Hydrol 333:288–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA-AWWA-WEF (1998) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20. American Public Health Association, Washington: 1085

  • Arenas M, Dichtl L, Fernández R, García U, Pérez A (1982) Study of the contamination of subterranean water by fertilizers and residual waters of the country of the plain of Albacete, Spain. Mém-Assoc Int Hydrogéol 16:139–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaf H, Saadeh M (2008) Geostatistical assesment of groundwater nitrate contamination with reflection on DRASTIC vulnerability assessment: the case of the Upper Litani Basin, Lebanon. Water Resour Manag 23:775–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baalousha H (2006) Vulnerability assessment for the Gaza Strip, Palestine using DRASTIC. Environ Geol 50:405–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babiker IS, Mohamed MAA, Hiyama T, Kato K (2005) A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing aquifer vulnerability in Kakamigahara Heights, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan. Sci Total Environ 345:127–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böttcher J, Strebel O, Voerkelius S, Schmidt HL (1990) Using isotope fractionation of nitrate nitrogen and nitrate oxygen for evaluation of microbial denitrification in a sandy aquifer. J Hydrol 114:413–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boughriba M, Barkaoui A-E, Zarhloule Y, Lahmer Z, El Houadi B, Verdoya M (2010) Groundwater vulnerability and risk mapping of the Angad transboundary aquifer using DRASTIC index method in GIS environment. Arab J Geosci 3:207–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calera A, Martínez C, Meliá J (2001) A procedure for obtaining green plant cover. Its relation with NDVI in a case study for barley. Int J Remote Sens 22:3357–3362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castaño S (1999) Aplicaciones de la Teledetección y SIG al control y cuantificación de las extracciones de agua subterránea. In: Ballester Rodríguez JA, Fernández Sánchez JA, Geta L (eds) Medida y Evaluación de las extracciones de agua subterránea. IGME, Madrid, pp 125–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Chitsazan M, Akhtari Y (2008) A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing aquifer vulnerability in Kherran Plain, Khuzestan, Iran. Water Resour Manag 23:1137–1155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar (2009), Bases de Datos, 2009. CHJ. http://www.chj.es. Accessed 2 March 2009

  • Estrela T, Fidalgo A, Fullana J, Maestu J, Pérez MA, Pujante AM (2004) Jucar Pilot River Basin. Provisional Article 5 Report pursuant to the Water Framework Directive. Ministry for the Environment, Valencia, Spain. http://www.chj.es/CPJ3/imagenes/Art5/Articulo_5_completo.pdf. Accessed 21 March 2007

  • Ettazarini S (2006) Groundwater pollution risk mapping for the Eocene aquifer of the Oum Er-Rabia basin, Morocco. Environ Geol 51:341–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans BM, Myers WL (1990) A GIS-based approach to evaluating regional groundwater pollution potential with DRASTIC. J Soil Water Conserv 45:242–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Font E (2004) Colaboración en el desarrollo y aplicación de un modelo matemático distribuido de flujo subterráneo de la Unidad Hidrogeológica 08.29 Mancha Oriental, en las provincias de Albacete, Cuenca y Valencia. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Caminos Canales y Puertos, Valencia

  • Foster SSD (2002) Groundwater recharge and pollution vulnerability of British aquifers: a critical overview, in: Robins, N.S. (Ed.), Groundwater Pollution, Aquifer Recharge and Vulnerability Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 130: 7–22.

  • Fritch TG, McKnight CL, Yelderman JC, Arnold JG (2000) An aquifer vulnerability assessment of the Paluxy aquifer, central Texas, USA, using GIS and a modified DRASTIC approach. Environ Manag 25:337–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glynn PD, Plummer LN (2005) Geochemistry and the understanding of ground-water systems. Hydrogeol J 13:263–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hem JD (1986) Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2254:1–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudak PF, Sanmanee S (2003) Spatial patterns of nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and fluoride concentrations in the woodbine aquifer of North-Central Texas. Environ Monit Assess 82:311–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Instituto Geográfico Nacional (1992) Atlas Nacional de España, Sección II, Grupo 7, Edafología. IGN, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Instituto Geográfico Nacional (2000) Corine Land Cover 2000 España data base. IGN, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamrah A, Al-Futaisi A, Rajmohan N, Al-Yaroubi S (2008) Assessment of groundwater vulnerability in the coastal region of Oman using DRASTIC index method in GIS environment. Environ Monit Assess 147:125–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur R and Rosi KG (2011) Ground Water Vulnerability Assessment – Challenges and Opportunities. http://www.cgwb.gov.in/documents/papers/incidpapers/Paper%2012-%20R.%20Kaur.pdf. Accessed 12 May 2011

  • Korom SF (1992) Natural denitrification in the saturated zone - a review. Water Resour Res 28:1657–1668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margat J (1968) Vulnerabilite des nappes d’eau souterraine a la pollution [Groundwater vulnerability to contamination]. Bases de al cartographie, (Doc.) 68 SGC 198 HYD, BRGM, Orleans, France

  • Martín De Santa Olalla F, Calera A, Domínguez A (2003) Monitoring irrigation water use by combining Irrigation Advisory Service, and remotely sensed data with a geographic information system. Agr Water Manag 61:111–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moratalla A (2010) Evolución de los contenidos en nitrato en el Sistema Mancha Oriental (SE Español) como consecuencia de los cambios en el uso del suelo. Periodo 1998–2004. Dissertation, University of Castilla-La Mancha

  • Moratalla A, Gómez-Alday JJ, De las Heras J, Sanz D, Castaño S (2009) Nitrate in the water-supply wells in the Mancha Oriental hydrogeological system (SE Spain). Water Resour Manag 23:1621–1640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray KE, McCray JE (2005) Development and application of a regional-scale pesticide transport and groundwater vulnerability model. Environ Eng Geosci 3:271–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Official Journal of Castilla-La Mancha (OJCM) (2003) Resolución de 10 de febrero de 2003, de la Consejería de Agricultura y Medio Ambiente, por la que se designan, en el ámbito de la Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla-La Mancha, determinadas áreas como zonas vulnerables a la contaminación de las aguas producida por nitratos procedentes de fuentes agrarias. In: OJCM 26 de febrero de 2003, nº 26, 2003. http://docm.jccm.es/portaldocm/verDiarioAntiguo.do?ruta=2003/02/26. Accessed 2 March 2009

  • Official Journal of the European Union (2000) Directiva 2000/60/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 23 de octubre de 2000, por la que se establece un marco comunitario de actuación en el ámbito de la política de aguas. In: OJEU L 327/1, 2000. Retrieved from 2 March 2009 from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/es/oj/2000/l_327/l_32720001222es00740083.pdf. Accessed 2 March 2009

  • Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) (1991) Directiva 91/676/CEE del Consejo, de 12 de diciembre de 1991, relativa a la protección de las aguas contra la contaminación producida por nitratos utilizados en la agricultura. In: Diario Oficial de la Comunidad Europea L 375, 1991. http://www.miliarium.com/Legislacion/Aguas/ue/D91-676.asp. Accessed 2 March 2009

  • Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) (2006) Directiva 2006/118/CE del parlamento europeo y del consejo, de 12 de diciembre de 2006, relativa a la protección de las aguas subterráneas contra la contaminación y el deterioro. In: OJEU L 372/19, 2006. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:372:0019:0031:ES:PDF. Accessed 2 March 2009

  • Pérez R, Pacheco J (2004) Vulnerabilidad del agua subterránea a la contaminación de nitratos en el estado de Yucatán. Ingeniería 8:33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Remesan R, Panda RK (2008) Groundwater vulnerability assessment, risk mapping, and nitrate evaluation in a small Agricultural Watershed: Using the DRASTIC Model and GIS. Environ Quality Manage. DOI 10.1002/tqem

  • Rupert MG (2001) Calibration of the DRASTIC ground water vulnerability mapping method. Ground Water 39:625–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanz D, Gómez-Alday JJ, Castaño S, Moratalla A, De las Heras J, Martínez-Alfaro PE (2009) Hydrostratigraphic framework and hydrogeological behaviour of the Mancha Oriental System (SE Spain). Hydrogeol J

  • Sanz D, Castaño S, Cassiraga E, Sahuquillo A, Gómez-Alday JJ, Peña S, Calera A (2010) Modeling aquifer-river interactions under the influence of groundwater abstractions in the Mancha Oriental System. Hydrogeol J. doi:10.1007/s10040-010-0694-x

  • Secunda S, Collin ML, Melloul AJ (1998) Groundwater vulnerability assessment using a composite model combining DRASTIC with extensive agricultural land use in Israel’s Sharon region. J Environ Manage 54:39–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seeling B, Nowatzki J (2001) How to assess for nitrogen problems in water resources. AE-1217. North Dakota (USA), North Dakota State University. North Dakota State University. Nutrient Management Publications. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/h2oqual/watnut/ae1217w.htm. Accessed 25 March 2009

  • Sener E, Sener S, Davraz A (2009) Assessment of aquifer vulnerability based on GIS and DRASTIC methods: a case study of the Senirkent-Uluborlu Basin (Isparta, Turkey). Hydrogeol J 17:2023–2035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stark SL, Nuckols JR, Rada J (1999) Using GIS to investigate septic system sites and nitrate pollution potential. J Environ Health 61:15–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Stigter TY, Carvalho Dill AMM (2001) Limitations of the application of the DRASTIC vulnerability index to areas with irrigated agriculture, Algarve, Portugal. In: Ribeiro L (Ed) Proc. 3rd International Conference on Future Groundwater Resources at Risk, CVRM, Lisbon, Portugal, pp. 105–112

  • Stigter TY, Vieira J, Nunes LM (2002) Evaluation of the susceptibility to groundwater contamination as a support to decision-making; case study: implantation of golf courses in Albufeira municipality (Algarve). In: Proc 6º Congresso da Água, APRH, Porto (CD-ROM)

  • Stigter TY, Ribeiro L, Carvalho Dill AMM (2006) Evaluation of an intrinsic and a specific vulnerability assessment method in comparison with groundwater salinisation and nitrate contamination levels in two agricultural regions in the south of Portugal. Hydrogeol J 14:79–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarjuelo JM (1995) El Riego por aspersión y su tecnología. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesoriero AJ Inkpen EL Voss FD (1998). Assessing ground-water vulnerability using logistic regression. Proceedings for the Source Water Assessment and Protection 98 Conference, Dallas, TX: 157–65

  • United States Department of Agriculture (1987) Soil taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. USDA, Handbook, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Vias JM, Andreo B, Perles MJ, Carrasco F (2005) A comparative study of four schemes for groundwater vulnerability mapping in a diffuse flow carbonate aquifer under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Environ Geol 47:586–595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vrba J, Zaporozec A (1994) Guidebook on mapping groundwater vulnerability. Int Contrib Hydrogeol 16:131

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen X, Wu J, Si J (2008) A GIS-based DRASTIC model for assessing shallow groundwater vulnerability in the Zhangye Basin, northwestern China. Environ Geol 57:1435–1442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang R, Hamerlinck JD, Gloss SP, Munn L (1996) Determination of nonpoint-source pollution using GIS and numerical models. J Environ Qual 25:411–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study is part of the Ph.D. Thesis of Angel Moratalla and David Sanz and was funded by the research projects PAC08-0187-6481 and PEIC11-0135-8842 of the Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), and research agreements among the JCCM, Albacete City Council, and the Univerity of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM). Special thanks go to Dr. Alfonso Calera and Mr. Mario Belmonte from the Remote Sensing and GIS Group of the Institute for Regional Development (IDR) of the UCLM for providing the crop classification for the study area. We would like to thank Christine Laurin for improving the English text. The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their contributions in improving the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Laboratory. Regional Center for Water Research (RCWR), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Ctra. de las Peñas, km 3.2, 02071, Albacete, Spain

    Ángel Moratalla & Jorge De Las Heras

  2. Remote Sensing and GIS Group. Institute for Regional Development (IRD), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus Universitario, s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain

    Juan José Gómez-Alday, David Sanz & Santiago Castaño

Authors
  1. Ángel Moratalla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Juan José Gómez-Alday
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David Sanz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Santiago Castaño
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jorge De Las Heras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan José Gómez-Alday.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Moratalla, Á., Gómez-Alday, J.J., Sanz, D. et al. Evaluation of a GIS-Based Integrated Vulnerability Risk Assessment for the Mancha Oriental System (SE Spain). Water Resour Manage 25, 3677–3697 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-011-9876-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-011-9876-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation