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Journal
of Environmental Hydrology ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic
Journal of the International Association for Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 12 (2004), Paper 23 Posted December 30, 2004 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE LAMPANG BASIN OF NORTHERN THAILAND K. Kwansiririkul1 ABSTRACT This study utilized the geographic information system technique and the DRASTIC method to assess the vulnerability of groundwater resources to contamination in the Lampang basin in northern Thailand. The area encompassed the Muang Lampang District, Hang Chat District, Ko Kha District, and Mae Tha District. The DRASTIC groundwater vulnerability map shows regional groundwater areas that are sensitive to contamination on the basis of hydrogeologic conditions. Seven hydrogeologic factors were used for vulnerability assessment. These aredepth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, and aquifer hydraulic conductivity. These vulnerability factors were reclassified to vulnerability scores by using ArcView software to compute scales, ranges, and ratings. The vulnerability map shows that areas covered by Holocene unconsolidated sediments, the Qa aquifer unit, have the highest DRASTIC indices and are the most vulnerable to contamination. Pleistocene unconsolidated sediments, the Qt aquifer unit, have moderate to moderately high DRASTIC indices and contamination vulnerability. The areas of lowest contamination vulnerability are underlain by unconsolidated to semi-consolidated Tertiary sediments, the T aquifer unit. Reference: Kwansiririkul, K., F. S. Singharajwarapan, R. Mackay,T. Ramingwong and P. Wongpornchai; Vulnerability Assessment of Groundwater Resources in the Lampang Basin of Northern Thailand,Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 12, Paper 23, December 2004 CONTACT: K. Kwansiririkul E-mail:kwansirikul@yahoo.com |
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