[Comparison and Analysis of the Quantitative Methods for Pollutant Sources Load in Groundwater Contamination Risk...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Hydrogeology
• Risk Assessment

Context:

• Groundwater contamination risk assessment is crucial for resource protection and pollution control.
• Evaluation systems typically include vulnerability, pollutant source load, and groundwater value.
• Pollutant source load quantification methods vary, impacting data needs and assessment outcomes.

Purpose:

• To explore the impact of different pollutant source load quantification methods on groundwater contamination risk assessment.
• To compare the results of grading index and quantitative index assessment systems in a mesoscale alluvial fan region.

Summary:

• Two methods (grading index and quantitative index) were used to quantify pollutant source load in the Hutuo River alluvial fan, China.
• Significant differences were observed in risk valve features and spatial risk distributions between the methods.
• The choice of quantification method strongly influences groundwater contamination risk assessment outcomes.

Impact:

• The grading index method is suitable for large-scale regions with less precise data, offering simplicity but lower reliability.
• The quantitative index method is better for mesoscale/microscale regions with precise data, though more complex, providing higher reliability.
• Region scale significantly influences the selection of appropriate pollutant source load quantification methods for groundwater risk assessment.