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DRASTIC-Fm: a modified vulnerability map** method for structurally controlled aquifers in the southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

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Abstract

DRASTIC, the methodology for map** the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers, is modified to incorporate the structural characteristics of fractured bedrock aquifers. In these aquifers, groundwater flow is predominantly through fractures, with large-scale fracture zones and faults acting as primary conduits for flow at the regional scale. The methodology is applied to the southern Gulf Islands region of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Bedrock geology maps, soil maps, structural measurements, mapped lineaments, water-well information and topographic data, assembled within a comprehensive GIS database, form the basis for assigning traditional DRASTIC indices, while adding the structural indices necessary for capturing the importance of regional structural elements in recharge and well capture zone determinations.

Résumé

La méthode DRASTIC, destinée à la cartographie de la vulnérabilité intrinsèque des aquifères, a été modifiée afin d’intégrer les caractéristiques structurales d’aquifères de socle fracturés. Dans ces aquifères, les eaux souterraines cheminent essentiellement par les fractures, et les secteurs fracturés et les failles jouent le rôle de drains à l’échelle régionale. Cette méthode a été appliquée à la région sud des Iles Gulf (sud-ouest de la Colombie Britannique, Canada). Les cartes géologiques du socle, les cartes pédologiques, les levés structuraux, les linéaments cartographiés, les informations sur les points d’eau et les données topographiques ont été réunies dans une base de données exhaustive. Ils forment ainsi la base d’attribution des indices DRASTIC traditionnels, et introduisent les indices structuraux nécessaires pour appréhender l’importance des éléments structuraux régionaux dans la détermination des zones d’alimentation et d’appel des puits.

Resumen

Se ha modificado DRASTIC, la metodología para cartografiar la vulnerabilidad intrínseca de acuíferos, incorporando las características estructurales de acuíferos fracturados. En estos acuíferos, el flujo de agua subterránea se produce fundamentalmente por las fracturas, con zonas de fractura a gran escala y fallas que actúan como conductos primarios del flujo a escala regional. La metodología se aplica en el sureste de las Islas Gulf, región del Suroeste de British Columbia, Canadá. Los índices tradicionales en DRASTIC se asignan mediante mapas geológicos, mapas de suelos, medidas estructurales, cartografía de los lineamientos tectónicos, información sobre los puntos de agua y datos topográficos, unidos dentro de una base de datos vinculada a un SIG, mientras que añadiendo índices estructurales se refleja el peso de elementos estructurales regionales en la recarga y en las determinaciones de las zonas de captura de los pozos.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Dan Mackie for his contribution toward the development of the fractured media component, as well as Mike Wei, Vicki Carmichael, Al Kohut and Kevin Ronneseth for review and technical input.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Canada, 625 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 5J3, Canada

    S. C. Denny & J. M. Journeay

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V3Y 2L4, Canada

    D. M. Allen

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  1. S. C. Denny
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  2. D. M. Allen
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  3. J. M. Journeay
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Correspondence to S. C. Denny.

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Denny, S.C., Allen, D.M. & Journeay, J.M. DRASTIC-Fm: a modified vulnerability map** method for structurally controlled aquifers in the southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada. Hydrogeol J 15, 483–493 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0102-8

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