E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management

E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 5 (9) pp. 0169-0179, September 2014; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466

Assessment of the vulnerability of an aquifer by DRASTIC and SYNTACS methods: Aquifer of Bazer – Geult Zerga area (northeast Algeria).

Abstract

Prevention against the pollution of ground water has become nearly three decades a major concern for specialists in the field of water. Several methods have been to this effect adopted since 1987. This study is an approach to aid in the protection and prevention of pollution of groundwater in the shallow aquifer of the Bazer-Guelt Zerga basin and that at the mapping of vulnerable areas to pollution. It was conducted in the butts to identify areas of high risk of contamination, regardless of the type and nature of the pollutant and to determine how to better assess vulnerability. Application of DRASTIC and SINTACS this method allowed evaluation. A comparative study based on Kendall test and statistical analysis different classes of vulnerability has been developed. DRASTIC method is represented by three concentration low, medium and high class with the domination of the strong class 72%. SINTACS method has also led to a vulnerability divided between three classes low, medium and high with the domination of the strong class 75.6%. Comparative study showed that the two methods are statistically identical with concordant results. Their application in the field is warranted. Analysis of surfaces by two classes of methods (DRASTIC and SINTACS) revealed that 86% of the map of area have identical index.

Keywords: Vulnerability, DRASTIC, SINTACS, Bazer-Guelt Zerga , Algeria