Enhanced Methods for Evaluating Aquifer Susceptibility: Incorporating Static and Dynamic Vulnerability Assessments

This study transforms the concept of the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers to pollution by integrating static and dynamic elements into the assessment approach. Our innovative methodology simplifies hydrogeological parameters, facilitating the assessment of groundwater aquifer vulnerability while enabling in-depth analysis of future scenarios, including t the impact of human activities and climate change on the hydrological cycle. The results of our analysis reveal that the dynamic vulnerability method GCITF (Groundwater confinement type, Hydraulic Conductivity, Vadose Zone Impact, Topography, and dynamic Factor) and the conventional DRASTIC method generated 12.15% and 9.30% for the high vulnerability zone, respectively. In comparison, the SINTACS method estimated a low percentage of 0.28%. Overlaying the vulnerability maps revealed agreement between the GCITF, DRASTIC, and SINTACS methods in the high-vulnerability zones. In particular, the GCITF method showed a more significant extension in the northeastern part of the study area characterized by an annual extracted volume exceeding 40 Mm3/km2, underlining the importance of considering these sub-factors in dynamic vulnerability assessments. Bivariate statistical analysis, in particular Pearson correlation, revealed a moderate and statistically significant positive association between dynamic vulnerability on the one hand and DRASTIC and SINTACS methods on the other. These results underline the importance of integrating dynamic sub-factors for a more accurate and comprehensive vulnerability assessment, reflecting the complexity of hydrological and anthropogenic interactions influencing aquifer vulnerability.