Sensitivity Analysis Of Multi-Electrode Arrays For Characterizing The Non-Saturated Zone In Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment

2009

The near-surface environment acts as a filter and buffer for contaminants introduced from the surface by anthropogenic activities. For this reason there is a great need to improve our understanding of the shallow subsurface taking into account the increasing demand for vulnerability maps which illustrates the exposure of aquifers against pollution. These maps are designed to show areas of greatest potential for groundwater contamination on the basis of local subsurface conditions. A shallow, unconfined sand-and-gravel aquifer is highly vulnerable to pollutants because rapid recharge gives little time to contaminants to degrade naturally or be adsorbed before reaching the aquifer. Conversely…