J.A. Luque Espinar

Groundwater protection in Mediterranean countries after the European water framework directive

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) has driven the protection of groundwater and characterization of water bodies. Development of appropriate and efficient approaches which consider the special features of the hydrologic regime is essential. The results of different projects that have been carried out to integrate characterization and protection of water bodies are summarized herein. In the Les eaux de la Mediterranée (AQUAMED) Project, applicability to the Mediterranean Region of guidelines provided by the European Commission to facilitate the WFD implementation has been verified. The Background criteria for the identification of groundwater thresholds (BRIDGE) Project developed a methodology to establish threshold values of pollutants contributing to the chemical status of groundwater bodies. This method has been applied to pollutants used to classify groundwater bodies as at risk of not achieving objectives of the WFD. Selected features of protection areas for drinking water and safeguard zones are analyzed, as well as the possibility of using wellhead protection areas.

Significance of Preferential Infiltration Areas for Groundwater Recharge Rate Estimated with APLIS in the Mountain Karst Aquifer System of Sierra de las Nieves (Southern Spain)

Researchers have been troubled with finding a reliable technique for estimating groundwater recharge in carbonate aquifers. Many studies have recognized the importance of preferential flow in karst systems. Despite this evidence, preferential infiltration has no effect on estimating recharge with a classical soil water budget. The present research aims to determine the significance of the correct location of preferential infiltration areas in estimating recharge with the APLIS method. The study was carried out in Sierra de las Nieves aquifer (Southern Spain). The effect of correctly estimating the preferential infiltration areas is studied through different levels of complexity in the geomorphological information: (i) a classical geomorphologic map with pothole databases available, (ii) a reviewed geomorphologic map, and (iii) fracture density and epikarst cartography obtained with field work and remote sensing interpretation. The obtained results provided a mean difference of more than 10 % of recharge in the whole aquifer, and up to 20 % when the pixel scale is considered at.