AN OVERVIEW OF AQUIFER VULNERABILITY

Abstract

Aquifer vulnerability concerns assessment of risk associated with groundwater resources. Investigations are carried out based on concepts applied to assess groundwater bodies. Aquifer vulnerability concepts discussed are based on available input data (subjective, physical, and statistical); resource and source protection; intrinsic and specific approaches. The broad-based methods most vulnerability approaches follow are the hydrogeological and complex setting method, statistical method, mathematical method, parametric system method, and index method. Fifteen commonly used methods were reviewed, stating the concept, purposes, advantages, and limitations. The methods were selected based on applicability to karst topography, the basis for European vulnerability approaches, travel time concept based on physically based approaches and intrinsic vulnerability approaches. The review discusses the importance of vulnerability validation and suggests appropriate validation techniques that can be adopted. The review concludes with discussions on the challenges and directions for future contributions on aquifer vulnerability.