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Groundwater protection in Mediterranean countries after the European water framework directive

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) has driven the protection of groundwater and characterization of water bodies. Development of appropriate and efficient approaches which consider the special features of the hydrologic regime is essential. The results of different projects that have been carried out to integrate characterization and protection of water bodies are summarized herein. In the Les eaux de la Mediterranée (AQUAMED) Project, applicability to the Mediterranean Region of guidelines provided by the European Commission to facilitate the WFD implementation has been verified. The Background criteria for the identification of groundwater thresholds (BRIDGE) Project developed a methodology to establish threshold values of pollutants contributing to the chemical status of groundwater bodies. This method has been applied to pollutants used to classify groundwater bodies as at risk of not achieving objectives of the WFD. Selected features of protection areas for drinking water and safeguard zones are analyzed, as well as the possibility of using wellhead protection areas.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME) for the information provided on the referred European projects BRIDGE and AQUAMED, as well as that related to Working Group C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas, 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    C. Martínez Navarrete, J. J. Durán Valsero, J. D. Gómez Gómez & J. A. de la Orden Gómez

  2. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Oficina de proyectos de Valencia, Cirilo Amorós, 42, 46004, Valencia, Spain

    J. Grima Olmedo

  3. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), Oficina de proyectos de Granada, Urbanización Alcázar del Genil, 4-Edificio Zulema, 18006, Granada, Spain

    J. A. Luque Espinar

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  1. C. Martínez Navarrete
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  2. J. Grima Olmedo
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  3. J. J. Durán Valsero
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  4. J. D. Gómez Gómez
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  5. J. A. Luque Espinar
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  6. J. A. de la Orden Gómez
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Correspondence to C. Martínez Navarrete.

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Martínez Navarrete, C., Grima Olmedo, J., Durán Valsero, J.J. et al. Groundwater protection in Mediterranean countries after the European water framework directive. Environ Geol 54, 537–549 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0856-x

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