DRASTIC model is the most widely used method for aquifer vulnerability mapping which consists of seven hydrogeological parameters. Despite of its popularity, this technique disregards the effect of regional characteristics and there is no specific validation method to demonstrate the accuracy of this method. The main goal of this research was developing an integrated GIS-based DRASTIC model using Depth to water, Net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone and Hydraulic Conductivity (DRASTIC). In order to obtain a more reliable and accurate assessment, the rates and weights of original DRASTIC were modified using Wilcoxon rank-sum non-parametric statistical test and Single Parameter Sensitivity Analysis (SPSA). The methodology was implemented for the Shahrekord plain in the southwestern region of Iran. Two different sets of measured nitrate concentrations from two monitoring events were used, one for modification and other for validation purposes. Validation nitrate values were compared to the calculated DRASTIC index to assess the efficacy of the DRASTIC model. The validation results obtained from Pearson's correlation and chi-square values, revealed that the modified DRASTIC is more efficient than original DRASTIC. The modified rate/weight DRASTIC (spline) model showed the highest correlation coefficient and chi square value as 0.88 and 72.93, respectively, compared to -0.3 and 25.2 for the original DRASTIC (spline) model. The integrated vulnerability map showed the high risk imposed on the southeastern part of the Shahrekord aquifer. In addition, sensitivity analysis indicated that the removal of net recharge parameter from the modified model caused larger variation in vulnerability index showing that this parameter has more impact on the DRASTIC vulnerability of the aquifer. Moreover, Aquifer media (A), Topography (T) and Impact of vadose zone (I) were found to have less effect and importance compared to other variables as expected. Therefore, reduced modified DRASTIC model was proposed by eliminating A, T and I parameters. Pearson's correlation coefficient and chi-square value for the reduced model were calculated as 0.88 and 100.38, respectively, which was found to be as reliable as full modified DRASTIC model.

Much of southern Ontario relies on groundwater in fractured rock aquifers as a municipal drinking water source, thus the vulnerability of these sources is of importance from public health, economic, and environmental perspectives. Aquifer vulnerability assessments serve as visual communication tools useful in efficiently allocating resources for the establishment of new drinking water sources, hydrogeological characterization, and source water protection planning decisions. Examples of current vulnerability assessments include: DRASTIC, GOD, EPIK, AVI, COP and ISI. These vulnerability assessment methods either fail to quantitatively incorporate characteristics of fractured rock and preferential pathways, or they account for only heavily karstified areas; none are suited to the fractured rock formations in Ontario. The goal of this work is to incorporate fractured rock characteristics in a new aquifer vulnerability assessment method using readily attainable quantitative data to produce an inexpensive and straightforward regional aquifer vulnerability map highlighting hydrogeological areas that are more fundamentally prone to contamination than others. This proposed method is applied to the Acton-Georgetown study area in southern Ontario, along with the AVI and DRASTIC methods for comparison. The AVI and DRASTIC vulnerability assessments yield very different results from each other, and the proposed method demonstrates the heavy influence that fractured rock has on the vulnerability of the study area. The heterogeneity of variables used in some of the methods created difficulty in the interpolation of point data, rendering the use of generalized spatial data more valuable. These results and the corresponding limitations and recommendations for future improvements are discussed in light of these conclusions. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Instalações industriais possuem uma ampla fonte de riscos. Por isso, o entendimento e gerenciamento destes adquirem grande importância para a garantia dos níveis de segurança. A temática vulnerabilidade é relevante na medida em que a relação do seu conceito ao de risco permite a contextualização deste último. A finalidade da avaliação da vulnerabilidade é descrever, dentro de um determinado contexto, a interação entre os riscos, a comunidade e o meio ambiente. Pesquisas deste tipo fornecem subsídios para o desenvolvimento de programas e estratégias de prevenção de riscos e promoção da saúde. Estudos que privilegiem a vulnerabilidade do entorno de plantas industriais ainda são escassos, porém de suma importância, pois os resultados visualizados na forma de mapas são úteis para a formulação de propostas e melhorias no gerenciamento dos riscos. Devido às características existentes nas áreas de entorno das plantas industriais no Brasil e, dada a gravidade e extensão dos danos que possíveis acidentes podem causar à saúde humana, a problemática da vulnerabilidade aos acidentes tecnológicos pode e deve ser encarada como um assunto pertinente para Saúde Pública, sendo esta área do conhecimento capaz de contribuir na formulação de estratégias de controle e prevenção de tais fatalidades. O objetivo dessa dissertação foi a aplicação do mapeamento da vulnerabilidade da área de entorno do distrito industrial do município de Paulínia e, então, a identificação dos alvos mais sensíveis à ocorrência de acidentes, a ponderação da viabilidade da aplicação deste para o contexto brasileiro e seu uso como instrumento de gestão de uso do solo no entorno de plantas industriais. A metodologia baseou-se em revisão da literatura, composição de base de dados e uso de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica. Os principais resultados indicaram valores elevados de vulnerabilidades para áreas que estão fora do limite destinado ao uso industrial, definido pelo zoneamento do município, principalmente no que diz respeito à vulnerabilidade humana. Por fim, concluiu-se que o planejamento territorial que leve em consideração a vulnerabilidade é fator primordial na redução dos danos ocasionados pelos acidentes tecnológicos, sobretudo no entorno de plantas industriais / Industrial facilities have a wide source of risk. Therefore, the understanding and management of them acquire great importance to guarantee the security levels. The vulnerability theme is relevant to the extent that its relationship with the risk concept allows the contextualization of the latter. The purpose of the vulnerability assessment is to describe, within a given context, the interaction between risks, the community and the environment. This kind of research provides subsidies for the development of programs and strategies for risk prevention and health promotion. Studies that emphasize the vulnerability of the surrounding areas of industrial plants are still scarce, but very important, because the results displayed in form of maps are useful to formulation of proposals and improvements in risk management. Due to the characteristics that are in the surrounding areas of industrial plants in Brazil and, considering the severity and extent of the damage that can cause possible injury to human health, the issue of vulnerability to technological accidents can and must be seen as a relevant subject to Public Health, and this area of knowledge can contribute to formulation of strategies for prevention and control of such fatalities. The purpose of this dissertation was the application of vulnerability mapping in the surrounding area of the industrial district at the Paulínia municipality and then, the identification of the more sensitivies targets to occurrence of accidents, the assessment of feasibility of applying this model to the Brazilian context and its use as a management tool in land use around plants. The methodology was based on a literature review, the composition of the database and the use of a Geographic Information System. The main results showed high vulnerability to areas outside limits for industrial use, defined by the municipality zoning, especially with regard to human vulnerability. Finally, it was concluded that territorial planning that takes into account the vulnerability is a key factor in reducing the damage caused by technological accidents, especially in surrounding areas of industrial plants

Instalações industriais possuem uma ampla fonte de riscos. Por isso, o entendimento e gerenciamento destes adquirem grande importância para a garantia dos níveis de segurança. A temática vulnerabilidade é relevante na medida em que a relação do seu conceito ao de risco permite a contextualização deste último. A finalidade da avaliação da vulnerabilidade é descrever, dentro de um determinado contexto, a interação entre os riscos, a comunidade e o meio ambiente. Pesquisas deste tipo fornecem subsídios para o desenvolvimento de programas e estratégias de prevenção de riscos e promoção da saúde. Estudos que privilegiem a vulnerabilidade do entorno de plantas industriais ainda são escassos, porém de suma importância, pois os resultados visualizados na forma de mapas são úteis para a formulação de propostas e melhorias no gerenciamento dos riscos. Devido às características existentes nas áreas de entorno das plantas industriais no Brasil e, dada a gravidade e extensão dos danos que possíveis acidentes podem causar à saúde humana, a problemática da vulnerabilidade aos acidentes tecnológicos pode e deve ser encarada como um assunto pertinente para Saúde Pública, sendo esta área do conhecimento capaz de contribuir na formulação de estratégias de controle e prevenção de tais fatalidades. O objetivo dessa dissertação foi a aplicação do mapeamento da vulnerabilidade da área de entorno do distrito industrial do município de Paulínia e, então, a identificação dos alvos mais sensíveis à ocorrência de acidentes, a ponderação da viabilidade da aplicação deste para o contexto brasileiro e seu uso como instrumento de gestão de uso do solo no entorno de plantas industriais. A metodologia baseou-se em revisão da literatura, composição de base de dados e uso de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica. Os principais resultados indicaram valores elevados de vulnerabilidades para áreas que estão fora do limite destinado ao uso industrial, definido pelo zoneamento do município, principalmente no que diz respeito à vulnerabilidade humana. Por fim, concluiu-se que o planejamento territorial que leve em consideração a vulnerabilidade é fator primordial na redução dos danos ocasionados pelos acidentes tecnológicos, sobretudo no entorno de plantas industriais / Industrial facilities have a wide source of risk. Therefore, the understanding and management of them acquire great importance to guarantee the security levels. The vulnerability theme is relevant to the extent that its relationship with the risk concept allows the contextualization of the latter. The purpose of the vulnerability assessment is to describe, within a given context, the interaction between risks, the community and the environment. This kind of research provides subsidies for the development of programs and strategies for risk prevention and health promotion. Studies that emphasize the vulnerability of the surrounding areas of industrial plants are still scarce, but very important, because the results displayed in form of maps are useful to formulation of proposals and improvements in risk management. Due to the characteristics that are in the surrounding areas of industrial plants in Brazil and, considering the severity and extent of the damage that can cause possible injury to human health, the issue of vulnerability to technological accidents can and must be seen as a relevant subject to Public Health, and this area of knowledge can contribute to formulation of strategies for prevention and control of such fatalities. The purpose of this dissertation was the application of vulnerability mapping in the surrounding area of the industrial district at the Paulínia municipality and then, the identification of the more sensitivies targets to occurrence of accidents, the assessment of feasibility of applying this model to the Brazilian context and its use as a management tool in land use around plants. The methodology was based on a literature review, the composition of the database and the use of a Geographic Information System. The main results showed high vulnerability to areas outside limits for industrial use, defined by the municipality zoning, especially with regard to human vulnerability. Finally, it was concluded that territorial planning that takes into account the vulnerability is a key factor in reducing the damage caused by technological accidents, especially in surrounding areas of industrial plants