Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The SINTACS method can easily be integrated with GIS where each
parameter is first computed and mapped over a space in the form of raster
map. Thereafter, each mapped parameter is classified into ratings (ranging
from 1 to 10), which have an impact on potential pollution. Weight multipliers
are then used for each parameter to balance and enhance their importance.
Then SINTACS vulnerability index (I v ), defined as weighted sum of the
seven parameters, can be computed as (Civita, 1994):
7
I
(
P
W
)
v
i
i
(27)
i
1
where, P i = rating of i th of seven parameters, and W i = associated weight of i th
parameter.
The
weight
classes
used
by
SINTACS
depend
on
the
hydrogeological features of each area.
6.3.6. EPIK Method
The EPIK method, through several evaluations, proved to be a suitable
parametric weight and point tool to quantify the vulnerability of karstic
(carbonate) aquifer zones.
Considering the karst aquifer's geological, geomorphological and
hydrogeological characteristics, the four parameters influencing flow and
transport in karst taken into account by the method are as follows (Doerfliger
and Zwahlen, 1995; Doerfliger and Zwahlen, 1998; Doerfliger et al., 1999):
E pikarst, P rotective cover, I nfiltration condition and K arst network
development. Descriptive information about the attribute features for each of
the four parameters may be found in Barrocu et al. (2007).
The parameters of the EPIK method constitute a protection index, F to be
calculated for all parts of the catchments by weighted linear combination
technique as follows:
Fp
a
E
b
P
c
I
d
K
(28)
i
i
i
i
i
where, i = 1,..,n is the grid cell number; E i , P i , I i , K i = weights considered for
the i th cell; a, b, c, d = attribute relative weights (constant for any attribute); Fp i
= i th cell protection factor (pertaining to i th cell). The lower the value of
protection factor calculated for any i th cell, the higher the vulnerability of the
karst aquifer. The step-by-step methodology for applying the EPIK method is
shown in Figure 8.
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