Title: Assessing the efficiency of WRASTIC method in determining the vulnerability of surface water resources in semi-arid region using the NSFWQI

Authors: Reza Ghazavi; Rasool Imani; Rohallah Mirzai; Babak Khayatrostami

Addresses: Department of Watershed Management, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran ' Department of Watershed Management, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran ' Department of Watershed Management, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran ' Research Department, Ardabil Regional Water Company, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract: In this study, the WRASTIC method was used to assess the surface water vulnerability in sub-catchments of Kivi Dam's watershed which is located in the north-east of Iran using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Monthly change of the FC, pH, T, PO4, NO3, Tur and TS water quality parameters of the samples were measured in a one-year period. The NSFWQI of those sub-catchments were calculated based on average value of water quality parameters. Comparing the priorities of vulnerability and overall quality of surface water in studied sub-catchments showed the acceptable efficiency of WRASTIC method in assessing the vulnerability of surface water resources in semi-arid regions. Also, the results showed that among studies sub-catchments, the surface water in sub-catchment no. 1 has the most vulnerability (WRASTIC index = 56) and the worst overall quality (NSFWQI = 51).

Keywords: surface water; vulnerability; water quality; overlay and index; WRASTIC; NSFWQI; semi-arid; watershed; Kivi Dam; Ardabil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2020.110572

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2020 Vol.10 No.6, pp.604 - 623

Received: 23 Aug 2018
Accepted: 14 Feb 2019
Published online: 26 Oct 2020 *

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