Assessing groundwater vulnarability to contamination using geostatical approach

Abstract

Due to a rapid development of industrial and population growth in Malaysia, the demand for water has increased tremendously. This has caused the shortage of water supply and the new water sources have to be identified – groundwater is one of the alternative. In the north eastern state of Kelantan, most people rely on the groundwater as their water resource. However, due to uncontrolled development and human activities, groundwater is subjected to pollution and geochemical contamination. This paper is intended to assess groundwater vulnerability to contamination using geostatistical approach instead of using the typical DRASTIC (Depth, Recharge, Aquifer, Soil, Topography, Influence of the vadose zone and Conductivity) model. Geostatistical approach has the capability to predict a specific vulnerability of contamination risk as an alternative to the DRASTIC model which is unable to provide the measurable information of geochemical characteristics. The results of the modelling are produced and presented in the form of Prediction Map and Probability Map. The finding of the study can be used to identify the geochemical concentration based on Department of Environment (DOE) standards Assessing groundwater vulnerability to contamination using geostatistical approach (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256375672_Assessing_groundwater_vulnerability_to_contamination_using_geostatistical_approach [accessed Jul 2, 2017].