The Vulnerability Assessment Method of Karst Groundwater

Due to the complicated structure of the karst groundwater system, different types of karst areas have different karst hydrological characteristics, and their vulnerability assessment models must adopt different evaluated indicators. Based on an analysis of the development characteristics of different types of karst areas, this paper discussed the applicability of the existing vulnerability assessment models to different types of karst areas. EPIK model can be applied to the bare karst area in South China, whereas COP model to the bare karst area in North China and shallow buried karst area with weak karst surface zone. PTHQE model can be specially applied to the buried karst area. On account of the particularity of covered karst, PLEIK indicators were put forward based on Europian Models. PLEIK model indicators include 5 factors, i.e., protective cover(P), land use(L), epikarst development(E), infiltration conditions(I), and karst network development(K). The model highlights two factors of P and L, and endows factors with more abundant intensions than Europian Models. In addition, several vicarious approaches for establishing the value of each factor are adopted, and the index calculation and classification assessment method are put forward.