The vulnerability index calculation for determination of groundwater quality

Conference · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:126391

Kurtz, D A; Parizek, R R ^[1]

---

1. Penn State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Non-point source pollutants, such as pesticides, enter groundwater systems in a variety of means at wide-ranging concentrations. Risks in using groundwater in human consumption vary depending on the amounts of contaminants, the type of groundwater aquifer, and various use factors. We have devised a method of determining the vulnerability of an aquifer towards contamination with the Vulnerability Index. The Index can be used either as a comparative or an absolute index (comparative with a pure water source or aquifer spring or without comparison, assuming no peaks in the compared sample). Data for the calculation is obtained by extraction of a given water sample followed by analysis with a nitrogen/phosphorus detector on gas chromatography. The calculation uses the sum of peak heights as its determination. An additional peak number factor is added to emphasize higher numbers of compounds found in a given sample. Karst aquifers are considered to be highly vulnerable due to the large solution openings in its structure. Examples will be given of Vulnerability Indices taken from springs emanating from karst, intermediate, and diffuse flow aquifers taken at various times of the 1992 sampling year and compared with rainfall during that time. Comparisons will be made of the Index vs. rainfall events and vs. pesticide application data. The risk of using contaminated drinking water sources can be evaluated with the use of this index.

• OSTI ID: 126391
• Report Number(s): CONF-950402--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
DRINKING WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDROLOGY
PESTICIDES
POLLUTANTS
POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SPRINGS