Objective
The principle objective of the proposed project is to investigate the influence of non-point source pollutant releases on water supply wells in karstic flow zones. The proposed study site is the karstic aquifer of Mount Nif, which is hydraulically connecte d to valuable water resources for city of Izmir. The study will primarily focus on nitrate and pesticide releases and their mobilities in karstic aquifers. There are three main objectives of the proposed study: (1) Investigate nitrate and pesticide transpo rt characteristics in karst aquifers, under saturated and unsaturated conditions, (2) develop several non-point source pollutant release scenarios, and evaluate these using numerical model applications, (3) define wellhead protection buffer zones that will be based on findings from tracer and modelling studies. Following a thorough hydrogeological site characterisation, intact core samples will be collected from the site for laboratory column studies. Transport and attenuation of nitrate and atrazine will b e studied under saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. A 1-D numerical model will be developed and model parameters will be fitted to column test results in order to obtain nitrate and atrazine migration properties in karst soil. Tracer experiments wil l be conducted by mimicking a non-point source release, and by using an injection well with the assumption of a previous release having reached the water table. Breakthrough of tracer concentrations at monitoring wells will be observed. Using a detailed 3-D flow and transport model that will be calibrated to tracer experiment results, effects of several non-point source release scenarios on nearby water resources will be evaluated. Also, wellhead protection buffer zones will be defined by modelling. The res earcher will apply knowledge and expertise gained in the U.S.A to conduct this study. The number of studies of this nature is limited in Turkey as the researcher's field of expertise is still unexploited.
Fields of science
Keywords
Call for proposal
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-12
See other projects for this call
Coordinator
IZMIR
Türkiye