engleski

The impact of agricultural production on the groundwater in the Bokanjac-Poličnik catchment area

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the Republic of Croatia where over 90% of water supply is from groundwater reserves. Also, 50% of the state territory are karst aquifers which are high quality groundwater reservoirs. Due to their hydrogeological structure, they are very vulnerable to anthropogenic influences. Therefore, they require protection measures defined based on the results of detailed hydrogeological research, among which are methods for groundwater vulnerability assessment. Such methods assume that the natural chemical, biological and physical properties of an area may, to some extent, contribute to the protection of groundwater from external impacts. The KAVA method was applied in the Bokanjac - Poličnik catchment area and results will be presented in this paper. KAVA is multiparameter method, uses four parameters: cover deposits, infiltration impact, aquifer conditions and precipitation impact, and can assess the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers and/or springs. Result of the assessment are maps made using GIS tools. In addition, a hazard map and risk map for groundwater contamination under the influence of agricultural production were prepared. The comprehensive analysis conducted in this way indicates the parts of the basin that pose a threat to the groundwater quality of this area.

karst aquifers, vulnerability, hazard, risk, KAVA method, GIS

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