Determining springs protection areas by combining an analytical model and vulnerability index
2019
Javadi, Saman | Moghaddam, Hamid Kardan | Roozbahani, Reza
Karstic springs are considered as an important source of drinking water in highland areas. Because of the high vulnerability of karst areas, any activities such as agricultural, livestock and even industrial ones in these areas can affect springs water quality. Therefore, it is essential to define qualitative limitations on human functions in these areas for the sake of springs protection from contamination. In this paper, a new method is introduced which combines the vulnerability index of a spring's outlet and the protection area of its basin. In the proposed method, the VESPA index is firstly applied to analyse the vulnerability of karst springs to contamination. Then, the protection areas of the springs are determined using the integration of the MDHT method and the result of VESPA. The method is examined to Parikedal and Sarab-e Taveh springs, located in the central Zagros, Iran. Based on the results, Parikedal vulnerability is classed as very high and two immediate protection zones are defined around Prikdal's outlet and its sub-basins, located on its inner protection zone. Sarab-e Taveh, in comparison with Parikedal, has less karstic development. Therefore, its vulnerability is classified as high. In addition, by considering the MDHT method, the main part of Sarab-e Taveh's water basin is located in outer protection zone and thus, some minor activities are allowed on it. The results of this study show that combining the analytical model and vulnerability could estimate springs' protection areas more accurately.
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