Groundwater pollution risk in a large agricultural irrigation plain assessed using modified DRASTIC-LU model,...

Groundwater pollution poses serious global risks to both the environment and public health, yet accurately assessing human-induced contamination remains challenging. In this study, the DRASTIC-LU model was used to assess groundwater vulnerability in the West Liao River Plain, northern China, and the results were further integrated with pollution source loading and hazard assessment to delineate groundwater pollution risk zones. Model reliability was verified using groundwater quality monitoring data and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The results show high and very high-risk areas are mainly concentrated in the eastern part of plain, where intensive groundwater exploitation and stronger anthropogenic activities increase contamination risk. The spatial distribution of groundwater pollution risk is generally consistent with observed groundwater quality indicators, and the integrated assessment performs better than the traditional DRASTIC model. This study provides an effective framework for regional groundwater pollution risks assessment and offers technical support for groundwater resource protection and sustainable management in similar arid and semi-arid regions.