Assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the Puck region (denudation moraine upland) using vertical seepage method

Abstract

Degradation of groundwater quality can cause a serious water supply and environmental problems. The identify of potential groundwater pollution can be determined by assessment of groundwater vulnerability method. The assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution was based on estimation of migration time of potential conservative contamination through the vadose zone. Area of investigation is a type of denudation moraine upland, which is situated at the eastern part of the Puck Isolated Morainic Plateau (north of Poland). Time of vertical seepage was estimated with four widely use in Poland equations and numerical modelling with HYDRUS 1D numerical code. The results were compared with major groundwater basin (MGWB) vulnerability classification. The calculations indicate variable results of migration times for conservative contamination, depending on the chosen equation. The conducted research is a part of a project which main aim is a development of groundwater contaminant transport model and detailed identification of a potential agriculture pollutant sources in the selected watersheds of the Puck Bay.