Cartographic water protection level DRASTIC-index-based modelling of the Senonian aquifer within the boundaries of Poromiv village, Volyn region

Abstract

The research was conducted within the village of Poromiv, Volodymyr district, Volyn region. In the settlement, there are 82 wells intended for drinking water supply, the depth of which varies from 70 to 90 m. Wells reach the Senonian aquifer level. The aquifer has been used for long-term monitoring of water conditions contained in the Quaternary horizon, which in cross-section precedes the Senonian aquifer. The availability of data makes it possible to study the vertical and horizontal migration of chemical elements along the geological profile within the studied territory. By correlation-regression models, which took into account the location factors of the studied wells relative to the main sources of pollution, as well as the peculiarities of the geological and geomorphological structure of the studied territory, we selected 5 model wells. Selected study points represent the chemical composition of groundwater formed within the terrace northwest of the village and south-east of the loess highland. Senonian aquifer waters within the boundaries of the Novovolynsk coal-mining district, to which the village of Poromiv belongs, are characterized by a high content of iron and ammonium ions. Given the fact that we are investigating the economic and household complex of a rural settlement, we determined the phosphate content in groundwater. The general chemical composition of groundwater was also analyzed. The territories with the least protected groundwater horizons were determined using the DRASTIC model. Methods for assessing the vulnerability of groundwater are available in foreign literature. However, in the national literature, a concept of “natural protection” of the considered element of the environment is used. Therefore, during DRASTIC-based calculations,we used the concept of “natural protection” of groundwater. Accordingly, the calculation of scores was carried out from the point of view of assessing the level of protection, not the vulnerability of groundwater. As such, we ascertained insufficient protection of aquifers from technogenic load in the central and north-eastern parts of the village.