KARST GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT USING COP METHOD AND ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS IN KAMARDERAZ AREA, SOUTH WEST IZEH

Karst aquifers are the most important source of water supply in Izeh, south west Iran, but the high concentrations of nitrate in the groundwater (higher than 45 mg/l) made it inappropriate for drinking in recent years. However, assessment of groundwater vulnerability in karst aquifers suffers from ambiguous issues due to its inherent complexities which make arduous environmental problems. The present study emphasizes on the significant role of overlying layers above the water table (O factor), concentration of flow (C factor) and precipitation over the aquifer (P factor) in the groundwater vulnerability assessment of Kamarderaz Area, located in part of Zagros Mountains (COP method). Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is also applied to compensate indices weight and propose a vulnerability assessment model using GIS. The results confirm the applicability of AHP on rating and weighting of the karst parameters in COP framework of the area. Furthermore, a new regulation management is achieved by final vulnerability mapping of the karst aquifers in the region.

Keywords:

Karst , groundwater , Vulnerability , Analytical hierarchy process , COP method