Intrinsic vulnerability assessment for the Quaternary aquifer in Baghdad area using DRASTIC model

The assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution considered an effective tool in managed water resources especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The main objective of this study is to appraise the vulnerability for the Quaternary aquifer in Baghdad region, by using DRASTIC model and GIS for both the standard and pesticide conditions to evaluate the most sensitive and effective areas to pollution. The vulnerability index map for the standard and pesticide conditions shows three classes of very low, low, and moderate and low, moderate, and high classes, respectively, where the DRASTIC pesticide index ratio represents 33% more than the DRASTIC standard index. The results showed that the most vulnerable areas of the standard condition were constructed in two regions, the North West part and the second area that represented in the middle part of the study area, besides the high pesticide vulnerable index with 48% of the study area at the same parts. Topography, soil media, and water depth are the main factors that affect the groundwater contamination of the Quaternary aquifer and make it more susceptible to pollution; therefore, it is necessary to maintain these susceptible areas from agricultural results, seepage, and effluent from the residual wastes which spilt from the uncontrolled industries distributed in the area.