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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Comparative Assessment of Groundwater
Vulnerability to Pollution in a Semi-Arid
Area Using DRASTIC, SINTACS, GOD,
and SI Methods: A Case Study of the Ank
Djamel Watershed, Northeastern Algeria
1
Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela,
PO BOX 1252 Road of Batna, Khenchela -40004-Algeria
2
Biotechnology, Water, Environment and Health Laboratory, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, PO BOX 1252
Road of Batna, Khenchela -40004- Algeria
3
Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Animal Ecophysiology, Abderrahmane. Mira University of Bejaia, Targa
Ouzemour, Algeria
Submission date: 2024-06-02
Final revision date: 2024-07-13
Acceptance date: 2024-08-03
Online publication date: 2024-11-13
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Corresponding author
Horiya Bouali
Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, PO BOX 1252 Road of Batna, Khenchela -40004-Algeria
Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, PO BOX 1252 Road of Batna, Khenchela -40004-Algeria
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2025;34(5):6091-6103
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the Ank Djamel watershed, a semi-arid region located in northeastern
Algeria, with the objective of mapping vulnerability to pollution to enhance groundwater management.
To achieve this, a comprehensive database was compiled from various sources, including geological,
hydrogeological, geomorphological, climatic data, and satellite imagery. Four different methods are
applied using a geographical information system (GIS): DRASTIC, SINTACS, GOD, and SI. The SI and
SINTACS methods revealed three main vulnerability classes: low, medium, and high. The GOD model
identified three classes as well: very low, low, and moderate. In contrast, the DRASTIC model identified
four classes: very low (18.47%), low (26.38%), moderate (38.46%), and high (16.28%). The accuracy of
the models was assessed through a comparison of nitrate observation value with the estimated pollution
vulnerability in the measured wells. the DRASTIC and SI methods emerged as the most reliable for
assessing groundwater vulnerability in the Ank Djamel watershed, while the SINTACS method
provided complementary information. The GOD model was found to be less suitable for the studied
area.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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