A GIS-BASED DRASTIC MODEL: THE BOUMAIZA PLAIN (NORTH-EAST ALGERIA)

The plain of Boumaiza is located in the north east of Algeria in the wilaya of Skikda. This region is characterized by agricultural activity and is subject to a mediterranean climate. This agricultural development is liable to contaminate the groundwater heavily loaded by the local population for its drinking water needs. In order to highlight the state of vulnerability to groundwater pollution of the captive aquifer, which is composed of sands and gravels and pebbles, it is based on a marly substratum, GIS-based DRASTIC Index method has been applied in the aquifer of Boumaiza Plain. This method is presented in the form of numerical rating systems based on consideration of the different factors influencing the hydrogeological system, where a note and a weight are affected and varying with each parameter used. This method is based in the parameters like depth to the groundwater, net recharge, Aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity. The results show that the study area is characterized by a low and medium vulnerability to pollution.