Proposed Methodology of Vulnerability and Contamination Risk Mapping for the Protection of Karst Aquifers in Slovenia

Authors

  • Nataša Ravbar Karst Research Institute SRC SASA, Titov trg 2, SI-6230 Postojna
  • Nico Goldscheider Centre of Hydrogeology, University of Neuchâtel, 2009 Neuchâtel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v36i3.174

Abstract

On the basis of work accomplished by the European COST Action 620, a comprehensive approach to groundwater vulnerability and contamination risk assessment is proposed, taking into account the special characteristics of Slovene karst aquifer systems. The Slovene Approach is consistent with national environmental legislation and enables comparison across European countries. The method integrates temporal hydrological variability in the concept of groundwater vulnerability and offers a new possibility to combine surface and groundwater source and resource protection, which required the development of a new K factor (karst groundwater flow within the saturated zone). The risk analysis considers intrinsic vulnerability, contamination hazards and the importance of the source or resource. It has been first applied to the Podstenjšek springs catchment in southwestern Slovenia and validated by means of two multi-tracer tests with a total of six injection points. The resulting vulnerability, hazard and risk maps are plausible, and the validation confirmed the vulnerability assessment at the representative sites that were selected for tracer injection. The maps provide improved source protection zones and make it possible to identify land mismanagement and to propose better practices for future planning.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2007-12-01

How to Cite

Ravbar, N., & Goldscheider, N. (2007). Proposed Methodology of Vulnerability and Contamination Risk Mapping for the Protection of Karst Aquifers in Slovenia. Acta Carsologica, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v36i3.174

Issue

Section

Original papers