Yerbilimleri, 22 (2000), 95-107
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Yerbilimleri Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi Bülteni
Bulletin of Earth Sciences Application and Research Centre of Hacettepe University
Natural attenuation characteristics of the Antalya Travertine Plateau soil zone as a protective cover for the aquifer
Aylin BAŞAL, Mehmet EKMEKÇİ
H
acettepe Üniversitesi, Jeoloji (Hidrojeoloji) Mühendisliği Bölümü, 06532, Beytepe-ANKARA
ABSTRACT
A sound knowledge of the behavior of the vadose zone is essential for a thorough definition of the physical, chemical and biological processes as well as movement of subsurface water that control the fate of the contaminants. These processes take place to a great extent in soil material that forms the upper part of vadose zone. The filtration, ion exchange and retardation factor for soil cover in the Antalya Travertine Plateau were determined and subsequently these factors were evaluated together with other geohydrological properties of the soil in terms of its protective ability.
In the southern part of the study area where the vadose zone thickness is 200 to 250 m, the contaminants are subjected to physical, chemical and biological processes along relatively a longer period within the soil having a retardation factor above 300 in the depressions and secondary openings. This type of soils is classified as high protective cover areas. Soils in middle part of the area with retardation factor between 100-200, despite the low soil thickness are classified as intermediate protective areas owing to high thickness of vadose zone in these areas. Soils especially around Antalya city with retardation factor below 200, low soil thickness and shallow groundwater level are classified as a low protective cover areas.
Based on the results obtained from this study, it was concluded that the landuse map taking in to account the movement of contaminant in vadose zone and physical, chemical and biological properties of soil cover that control the contaminant fate should be prepared for an effective groundwater protection.
Key Words: Antalya, natural attenuation, retardation factor, soil zone, travertine, vadose zone
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