《21 Natural Groundwater Quality - Summary and Significance for Water Resources Management》.pdfVIP

21 Natural Groundwater Quality – Summary and Significance for Water Resources Management W. M. EDMUNDS AND P. SHAND The main scientii c conclusions of the the- groundwater quality and to develop the basis matic studies and reference aquifers in the for a standardised approach, which may be book’s chapters are summarised together used in the European Water Framework with their signii cance in terms of dei ning Directive (WFD: Directive 2000/60/EC) and natural water quality. Themes covered Groundwater Directive (GWD: Directive include inorganic and organic groundwater 2006/118/EC). A standardised approach, quality, estimation of groundwater residence based on hydrogeological and geochemical times, recognition of baseline trends as well principles has been adopted to assess the as monitoring changes in past, present and natural variations and spatial heterogeneity future natural quality of groundwater. The in groundwater quality. results from 14 European reference aquifers Entirely natural processes may breach are used as illustration and to show the existing water quality limits in addition to importance of conducting detailed studies of human impacts. Baseline criteria are needed the baseline groundwater quality from which as a reference to be able to assess quantita- characterisation and monitoring may be tively and qualitatively whether or not conducted using a few simple indicators. anomalous concentrations are natural or The socio-economic relevance of access to whether anthropogenic pollution is taking pure natural wat