A regional flux-based risk assessment approach for multiple contaminated sites on groundwater bodies

• Published in: Journal of contaminant hydrology Vol. 127; no. 1; pp. 65 - 75
• Main Authors: Jamin, P., Dollé, F., Chisala, B., Orban, Ph, Popescu, I.-C., Hérivaux, C., Dassargues, A., Brouyère, S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Belgium; Contaminants; Contamination; Degradation; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering, computing & technology; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Geographic Information Systems; Geological, petroleum & mining engineering; Groundwater; Groundwater - chemistry; Groundwater body; Groundwater modeling; Groundwater quality; Géologie, ingénierie du pétrole & des mines; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Industrial contaminants; Ingénierie, informatique & technologie; Models, Theoretical; Multiple contaminant sources; Regional; Regional risk assessment; Risk; Risk Assessment; Rivers - chemistry; Water Framework Directive; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Quality; Belgium; Europe; Western Europe; Multiple contaminant sources; Water Framework Directive; Groundwater modeling; Industrial contaminants; Groundwater body; Groundwater quality; Regional risk assessment; risk assessment; ground water; geographic information systems; degradation; pressure; indicators; aquifers; water quality; management; frame structure
• ISSN: 0169-7722; 1873-6009
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2011.07.001

In the context of the Water Framework Directive (EP and CEU, 2000), management plans have to be set up to monitor and to maintain water quality in groundwater bodies in the EU. In heavily industrialized and urbanized areas, the cumulative effect of multiple contaminant sources is likely and has to be evaluated. In order to propose adequate measures, the calculated risk should be based on criteria reflecting the risk of groundwater quality deterioration, in a cumulative manner and at the scale of the entire groundwater body. An integrated GIS- and flux-based risk assessment approach for groundwater bodies is described, with a regional scale indicator for evaluating the quality status of the groundwater body. It is based on the SEQ-ESO currently used in the Walloon Region of Belgium which defines, for different water uses and for a detailed list of groundwater contaminants, a set of threshold values reflecting the levels of water quality and degradation with respect to each contaminant. The methodology is illustrated with first results at a regional scale on a groundwater body-scale application to a contaminated alluvial aquifer which has been classified to be at risk of not reaching a good quality status by 2015. These first results show that contaminants resulting from old industrial activities in that area are likely to contribute significantly to the degradation of groundwater quality. However, further investigations are required on the evaluation of the actual polluting pressures before any definitive conclusion be established.
► We examine groundwater quality in industrialized–urbanized areas. ► The cumulative effect of polluted sites is a risk for groundwater quality. ► A regional indicator for groundwater quality is proposed. ► The method is based on GIS system and groundwater modeling software interaction. ► Synthetic example and real cases prove the method convenience for decision making.