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. ...
Specific groundwater vulnerability to pollution by organic pesticides depends on natural conditions in agricultural catchment (climatic, hydrologic and soils) as well as pesticide properties, such as sorption coefficient by organic carbon and pesticide persistence in the soil environment. The most comprehensive method of presenting the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution is its mapping and further analysis of maps. Maps of groundwater vulnerability to pollution by organic pesticides have been produced in GIS environment using Attenuation Factor (AF) approach, evaluated by Rao et al. in 1985. For the area of Ciesielska Woda agricultural catchment 25 maps of groundwater vulnerability to pollution by pesticides have been produced, for various combinations of Koc and t1/2 (table 2, figures 1 and 2). Analysis of the maps clearly identified these pesticides, which are the most dangerous for groundwater quality in particular natural conditions within the catchment area (figure 3)
...
