Vulnerability investigation of Lahijan-Chaboksar aquifer using SINTACS index

In many areas throughout the world, a large population lives in coastal areas, so proper water supply to them has a great importance. A significant portion of water is provided from groundwater resources. The development of human societies is a major contributor to environmental pollution, particularly in the water sector. One approach to monitor the quality of groundwater resources is the application of vulnerability maps of corresponding aquifers. In this research, the SINTACS index has been employed to identify vulnerable areas in the Lahijan-Chaboksar coastal aquifer. The results of the index derived from this study reveal that 18.94% (15738 km2) of the total area of the case study is very highly vulnerable, 35.88% (29,814 km2) highly vulnerable, 30.06% (24983 km2) moderately vulnerable, 12.67% (10529 km2) low vulnerable and 2.43% (2025 km2) is within a very low vulnerability.