Groundwater vulnerability assessment in the Motru Sec karst area, The Mehedin i Mountains

Karst aquifers represent an important source of drinking water supply, therefore their vulnerability analysis in regions affected by human interventions is needed. Vulnerability assessment mapping, establishes an adequate framework on the karst aquifers catchment areas extension. The present study emphasizes the significant role of lithology, structure and epikarst, on the one hand, infiltration conditions, soil and quaternary deposits (karst protective cover), on the other hand, in groundwater vulnerability assessment of a typical karst area, located in the Mehedin i Mountains. The EPIK method is a conceptual model of karst systems vulnerability assessment, based on four attributes: epikarst (E), protective cover (P), infiltration conditions (I), and karst network development (K). Each of these attributes is divided into classes, each class having a value according to its relative importance. Weighting coefficients, specific to every attribute, are applied and after their adding results the vulnerability assessment map. The map creates an adequate framework regarding the karst aquifers catchment areas extension.