Summary:

Maps of groundwater vulnerability to pollution by organic pesticides can by elaborated using Attenuation Factor (AF) approach, evaluated by Rao et al. in 1985. AF concept takes into account such transport phenomena as: advection, sorption and, biodegradation. AF model requires data on hydrogeology, groundwater recharge, soil environment properties (dry bulk density and organic carbon content) as well as pesticide properties as half-life decay and sorption coefficient of pesticide by organic matter. Nowadays GIS environment is the most suitable tool for mapping groundwater vulnerability to pollution according to AF approach. The presented concept consists on modification of original Rao’s concept (equation 7) to the form given by equation 10. Firstly two numerical maps (grids) for spatial distribution of parameters A and B (according to equation (8)) have to be created and next any individual user will be able to create the vulnerability map on his own for given pesticide. Visualizations (maps) of groundwater vulnerability to pollution by organic pesticides should be used as supplementary tools by farmers and extension services, local water and environmental authorities as well as by legislative bodies.