Modification to the DRASTIC framework to assess groundwater contaminant risk in rural mountainous catchments

摘要: Abstract Mountainous headwater catchments are safeguards of quality groundwater and hence require special protection against contamination by anthropogenic sources. However, methods currently handling risk fail to produce reliable results in mountainous watersheds because they overlook the influence downhill flows contaminant transport validation process. To overcome this difficulty, a new model based on so-called “concentration profiles” is presented that combines DRASTIC framework for evaluation intrinsic vulnerability, categorization land uses specific vulnerability nitrate Processing Modflow graphical user interface simulation transport. This was tested region Northern Portugal. The generally classified as moderate. risky areas regions used agriculture livestock production. These activities have raised concentrations spring water (15–25 mg·L−1) downstream areas. simulations linked (contaminant sources) actual plumes sinks) modeled distributions at travel times. Winter could be simulated 1-year stress period, flushable short time span. Spring summer only explained during 10–20 years. In these cases, even if sources were immediately neutralized, washout would take decades. may hold back fulfillment sustainable development goals related sanitation until 2030, deserve reflection planners policy makers. modeling exercise provided extra evidence safeguarding catchment keystone catchments. Therefore, application modified other not need resort Modflow. study comprises main paper (this paper) MethodsX companion paper.