Determination of groundwater vulnerability in karstic environments by using SINTACS method: Altinova aquifer case study

Groundwater pollution by anthropogenic impacts is a common problem throughout the world. Unconscious use of agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers particularly in areas where agricultural production is concentrated, results as potential pollutants. Prevention of pollution is one of the most important targets for sustainable groundwater management. Presence and abundance of contaminants in groundwater depends on a large number of topographical, geological, hydrogeological, hydrological and pedological parameters. The effects of these parameters on pollutant transport are evaluated, the spatial distribution of groundwater to pollution can be determined by using vulnerability methods. Land use, which is not generally evaluated in vulnerability mapping approaches, appears to be an important variable in groundwater vulnerability mapping. In this study, groundwater vulnerability maps are prepared by SINTACS method for Altinova aquifer which is located in Antalya Travertine Plateau. The study area is almost flat and covered by karstic travertine and the narrow conglomerate aquifer. 23% of the study area is widely covered by green houses and irrigation water is supplied from groundwater. In the SINTACS calculations, effective infiltration and unsaturated zone attenuation capacity parameters are taken into consideration. SINTACS-I and SINTACS-II vulnerability maps are calculated for 2 different grading values for the parameters of the effective infiltration and unsaturated zone attenuation. Relevant to the scope of the study, in vulnerability maps which added to the land use evaluation different vulnerability classes are defined within the same geological unit. According to the SINTACS-I and SINTACS-II maps, high and very high vulnerable areas are determined as 85% and 96%, respectively. The possibility of high-very high contamination of groundwater which is exposed to large areas of existence in the study area, requires the control of the use of agricultural origin pollutants. Land use planning should be made on the basis of vulnerability maps and good agricultural practices that limit the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides should be implemented rapidly.