Groundwater vulnerability assessment: Hydrogeologic perspective and example from Salinas Valley, California

摘要: Author(s): Fogg, GE; LaBolle, EM; Weissmann, GS | Abstract: Vulnerability of groundwater to contamination has typically been addressed by analysis or inference near-surface hydrologic processes. Yet, in many basins like the Salinas Valley, California, shallow quality already degraded over large areas nitrates, pesticides, salinity from irrigation, other contaminants. The ultimate impact this on deeper during decades, centuries millennia come is a highly relevant issue. We demonstrate an approach vulnerability assessment that emphasizes important geologic features stochastic-geostatistical framework and incorporates information both deep flow contaminant transport context circulating system. complements more common, investigative approaches, which emphasize source inventory, soil characteristics, vadose-zone transport. Results nitrate Valley agree with observed regional patterns concentrations.