Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping of Akounq Groundwater Body, Armenia

Abstract

Assessment of intrinsic and bacteriological vulnerability of water-bearing bodies was made, as well as 3D hydrostratigraphic model of study area was constructed. Qualitative evaluation of water table aquifers vulnerability we have conducted considering the depths to water-table from land surface and thickness of poorly permeable soils in aeration zone. According to this method following types of soils have been distinguished in the cross-section of aeration zone: 1. Loamy sand or fractured matrix rocks 2. Loams or relatively confining matrix rocks 3. Clay or confining matrix rocks Quantitative assessment of water-table aquifers vulnerability is being carried out when there is risk of bacteriological infection. This method is based on groundwater downward time-of-travel during which percolated bacteria or polluted water may rich to water table. Quantitative assessment of confined aquifer vulnerability that is first from land surface is carried out considering two parameters: total thickness of overlain soils with slow infiltration rates and interrelation between water-table level and established level of water of confined aquifer.