3.7 5.

Article

Groundwater Vulnerability and Risk

Assessment in A Karst Aquifer of
Greece Using EPIK Method

Anastasia Vogelbacher, Nerantzis Kazakis, Konstantinos Voudouris and Steffen Bold

Special Issue
Groundwater Quality and Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment
Edited by
Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Voudouris and Dr. Nerantzis Kazakis

https://doi.org/10.3390/environments6110116
 environments

Article
Groundwater Vulnerability and Risk Assessment in
A Karst Aquifer of Greece Using EPIK Method
Anastasia Vogelbacher 1, *, Nerantzis Kazakis 2 , Konstantinos Voudouris 2 and Steffen Bold 1
1 Department of Water Resource Management, University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, 72108
Rottenburg, Germany; [email protected]
2 Laboratory of Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology, Department of Geology, Aristotle University, GR54124
Thessaloniki, Greece; [email protected] (N.K.); [email protected] (K.V.)
* Correspondence: [email protected]




Received: 16 July 2019; Accepted: 29 October 2019; Published: 31 October 2019


Abstract: The aim of this study was the assessment of groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk
of the Perivleptos karst aquifer in the northwestern part of Greece. Hence, the EPIK method has
been applied within the study area. Additionally, a detailed literature overview has been obtained,
including the worldwide application of the EPIK method. The hazard map has been developed
for the implementation of risk assessment. The resulting vulnerability map was divided into four
classes and showed especially high to very high vulnerability. The subsequent hazard assessment
has shown mostly low to moderate endangerment for the northern part of the study area, which is
mainly covered by forest, while the areas covered by urban and industrial, as well as agricultural
land, use primarily show high to very high endangerment. Concluding in the risk map, the study
area consists of 13% of very high, 48% of high, 36% of moderate and 4% of low risk of contamination.
According to the literature overview, the EPIK method was mostly used in combination with other
vulnerability assessment methods, and results have been validated through tracer tests, sensitivity
analysis or comparing to other methods. In this study, an additional single parameter sensitivity
analysis was obtained for validation of the EPIK parameters.

Keywords: Greece; GIS; groundwater; hazard; pollution

1. Introduction
Groundwater accounts for 98% of all freshwater on earth, and thus is the most important water
resource for more than half of the world´s population [1]. At the same time, it is the most extracted
raw material in the world, and with a global withdrawal rate of 800–1000 km3 /year, this is twenty
times more than the extraction of oil [1]. Driven by the world’s population increase up to 33% until
2050 [2,3] and a rising food demand by 60% [3], the demand for arable land worldwide will increase
tremendously. Agriculture draws 70% of global freshwater [4]. This leads to an increasing freshwater
demand worldwide which is mostly covered by groundwater, especially in regions that are already
dealing with water stress [1]. In this context, water stress means a negative water balance, provoked
by e.g., climatic conditions, irregular rainfalls and increased water demands due to agriculture and
tourism. On a global scale, between 20–25% of the world’s population relies on groundwater from karst
aquifers [5]. Thus, karst aquifers are of significant importance to the freshwater supply, and constitute
the main supply for many cities in the country [6,7]. According to Daskalaki and Voudouris [7], with
its semi-arid climate and fragile socio-economic conditions, Greece is ranked 31st out of 50 countries
suffering from severe water stress. In Greece, 86% of the total annual water demand is used for
agricultural irrigation, covered mainly by groundwater, as it is the main water source in Greece. In total,
there are 300,000 existing boreholes (legal and illegal) in Greece.

Environments 2019, 6, 116; doi:10.3390/environments6110116 www.mdpi.com/journal/environments

Environments 2019, 6, 116 2 of 16

Moreover, the aquifers in Greece with the highest productivity are found in carbonate rocks.
Carbonate rocks cover an area of about 35% of Greece, especially in the western, southern and central
parts [7]. The main aquifers in Greece are porous in granular rocks and karst aquifers. The latter
result from the solution of carbonate minerals like calcites or dolomites based on the reaction with
CO2= containing water, and thus, its acidic reaction. Karst aquifers are unique, and show special
characteristics, including large voids and high flow velocities. Its special character enables water
transport over long distances and rapid infiltration. These factors make karst aquifers extremely
vulnerable to contamination, especially due to the increase of potentially harmful anthropogenic
activities, which have been developed above the aquifers [8–10].
For protecting these aquifer systems, securing groundwater against pollution and promoting
the sustainable use of groundwater resources, the EU Water Framework Directive pursues the aim of
defining protection zones around the proximity of public drinking water supplies [11]. In Switzerland,
the Centre of Hydrogeology of the Neuchâtel University was contracted by the Federal Office for
Environment, Forests and Landscape and the Swiss National Hydrological and Geological Survey to
develop a new method for the delineation of groundwater protection zones in a karst environment [11].
Therefore, the EPIK method, developed by Doerfliger et al. [11] was the first attempt of vulnerability
mapping specifically for karstic environments. The multiparameter method consists of four parameters:
Epikarst (E), Protective Cover (P), Infiltration Conditions and (I) and the Degree of Karstic Network
Development (K). The method was developed to determine the intrinsic vulnerability of groundwater
to surface and subsurface contamination and address the definition of protection zones in a karst
environment. In this context it is to accentuate that the EPIK method was the first method that allows an
application at the catchment scale and thus, is appropriately adapted for the delineation of protection
zones [12]. For the designation of groundwater protection zones, vulnerability maps serve as a valuable
tool. The term “vulnerability” dates back to the 1960s, where it was scientifically used by Albinet and
Margat [13].
In the context of the EPIK method, vulnerability is defined as the sensitivity of groundwater
to anthropogenically-caused contamination. Thereby it is necessary to distinguish between
intrinsic vulnerability (the distinctive hydrogeological and geological characteristics, determining the
vulnerability) and the specific vulnerability, which describes the characteristic contamination, caused
by a specific contaminant. Vulnerability is described by Doerfliger [11] as “a function of the natural
properties of the overlying soil and rock column or unsaturated zone of the aquifer”.
The risk of groundwater pollution is, therefore, dependent upon both the “natural”, intrinsic
vulnerability and the specific vulnerability, the contaminant load on the subsurface, caused by human
activity. Through the years, various methods for vulnerability assessment have been developed. It has
to be mentioned that vulnerability assessment is a highly subjective process. It is occasionally that the
application of different methods on the same test site results in different vulnerability maps [14]. Still,
there is no European standardized method that would lead to coherent results. Therefore, vulnerability
assessment depends on the available dataset, time and financial frame, as well as the location of the
study area.
Since the first introduction of vulnerability, various methods for vulnerability assessment have
been presented. The first approach was introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
of the USA in 1987, where the DRASTIC method was presented. The DRASTIC method takes seven
hydrogeological parameters into consideration: Depth of groundwater (D), net recharge (R), aquifer
media (A), soil media (S), topography (T), impact of the vadose zone media (I) and the hydraulic
conductivity of the aquifer (C) [10,15]. Over time, the DRASTIC method has been developed and
modifications, as well as new methods, have been published, including GOD [16], AVI [17], GLA [18],
ISIS method [19], German method [20], SINTACS [21] and more. The just mentioned methods
were applicable independently of the relevant aquifer type. Although these methods have not been
intentionally designed especially for the karst environment, they have been adapted and applied
Environments 2019, 6, 116 3 of 16

in karst areas [10]. However, results have shown that for karst areas, a more specific method is
necessary [10].
This paper deals with the vulnerability, hazard and risk assessment to external pollution of a
karst system in NW Greece, and is therefore divided into three sections. The first section evaluates an
overview of applied EPIK method, as well as the resulting modifications, advantages and disadvantages
since its first implementation in 1999. In the second section, the geological, climatic, hydrogeological
and land use data of the study area were evaluated and presented. In the third section, the EPIK
method was applied for groundwater vulnerability assessment of the studied karst aquifer. Hence,
the pollution risk map was obtained from the combination of the hazard and vulnerability map.
The elaboration of all data was conducted in a geographic information system (GIS) environment
applying overlying techniques. Concluding, results are presented and some recommendations are
made to protect the karst aquifer system.

2. Literature Overview
In the following, an overview of the application of the EPIK method on a time scale is presented.
In total, 15 applications of EPIK method are presented in this work. The results in the here-mentioned
publication form only a small selection of existing applications of EPIK method around the world.
Although there exist many more applications of this EPIK method, due to the available time frame of
this work, only a selection of the ones published on the Scopus platform will be noted.
Over the last decades, various studies have been compared in order to analyze the performances
of these methods. Depending on the present conditions, some methods have proven more suitable
than others have. Following the first application of the EPIK method by Doerfliger and Zwahlen [11]
on the St. Imier catchment area in Bern, Switzerland, Gogu and Dassargues [22] have analyzed
the statistical sensitivity of the single E-P-I-K parameters of EPIK method on a test site in Belgium.
In that study, the effective weights and the theoretical weights of the parameters were disparate.
For example, the Epikarst parameter appeared overrated (39%) compared to the theoretical weight
(33.3%) of the parameter presented in the study of Doerfliger and Zwahlen [11]. On the contrary,
the I-parameter was proven underweighted, comparing the 29.8% of the Belgium test site with the
33.3% of the theoretical weight. This analysis shows that changes in the weights can either increase or
reduce the importance of a single parameter, and thus proves the subjective element of vulnerability
assessment. The authors Gogu and Dassargues [22] recommend applying a sensitivity analysis for
every vulnerability assessment in order to archive a more efficient interpretation of the vulnerability
indices. Thus, it is necessary to be aware of the subjective impact of each parameter. Three years later,
the same authors compared the EPIK method to DRASTIC, GOD, ISIS and the German method for
the slight karstified test site in Condroz Region, southern Belgium. The EPIK method, as the only
karst-specific method in this application, has proven to be the most suitable one for this test site [23].
In 2006, Neukum and Hötzl [24] applied the EPIK method together with the DRASTIC, PI and
GLA methods on a study area between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, Southwest Germany. The generally
well-karstified area showed high vulnerability, but depending on the applied method, differences in the
intensity occurred. The DRASTIC and GLA method both worked independently of the aquifer type, but
the GLA method estimated higher vulnerability than the DRASTIC method. The PI method showed the
highest vulnerability, whereas the EPIK method assumed moderate vulnerability for the whole study
area, except for the catchment of the sinking stream [24]. In a following study, the EPIK method was
compared with the PI, Simplified and COP Method, as well as the Slovene approach in the catchment
area of Podstenjsek spring, southwest Slovenia [8]. Regarding Ravbar and Goldscheider [8], the main
difference occurred in temporal hydrologic variations. Special hydrologic conditions, particularly
heavy rainfall and snowmelt events, lead to strong fluctuations of the groundwater table resulting
in intermittent lakes in the study area. While the EPIK method and the Slovene approach deem
karst geomorphological characteristics more significant than fluctuation in the groundwater table, the
PI method values the thickness of the unsaturated zone higher than the geomorphological features.
Environments 2019, 6, 116 4 of 16

Conclusively, the Slovene approach shows the most reasonable results for the study area, especially in
low water conditions [8]. Various methods including GOD, DRASTIC, SINTACS, EPIK, PI and COP
have been applied for vulnerability assessment in Apulia, Southern Italy by Polemio et al. [25].
In order to compare universal methods, like DRASTIC and SINTACS, with more karst sensitive
methods like EPIK, COP and PI, a universal vulnerability index was used. Results revealed that
universal methods consider a high number of parameters, and thus, present results on a large scale,
while karst-sensitive methods are more suitable for the test site [25,26].
In 2015, Kazakis et al. [27] compared the EPIK, DRASTIC, AVI and DRASTIC-FM methods to
the Anthemountas basin in north Greece. The test area contains three different aquifer types: Porous,
karstic and fissured rock aquifer, which therefore need special consideration. Vulnerability assessment
has shown that each method provides different results for different aquifer types. Results have proven
the authors’ expectations, meaning EPIC, AVI and DRASTIC-FM methods have each been developed
for special aquifer types, while DRASTIC is a general tool for vulnerability assessment, regardless of
the aquifer type. As a consequence, the author sympathizes with a general application in advance,
followed by special methods for significant aquifer types present in the study area [27]. In 2016,
Hamdan et al. [28] applied the EPIK method in the catchment area of the Tanour and Rasoun springs in
northwest Jordan. For the applied groundwater vulnerability assessment, the COP and EPIK methods
were compared. Results have revealed that the COP method is more flexible regarding different
hydrogeological conditions. Nevertheless, both methods are designed for karstic formations and
present the urgent need for protection measurements in the study area, but the COP method has shown
better suitability for that specific test site [28]. For the vulnerability assessment on a test site in Quatar,
which contains karst- as well as non-karstic features, the DRASTIC and EPIK methods were compared.
Results present the DRASTIC method as more suitable for the study area. Both maps confirm areas of
depressions and land collapse as the most vulnerable ones. The main difference is that the DRASTIC
method uses the depth of the water table and topology, which results in very high vulnerability in
coastal areas, while the EPIK method neglects these parameters, which leads to a very low vulnerability
in the vulnerability map [15].
On a test site in Yichang, in Hubei Province, SW China, only the EPIK method has been applied,
but results have been validated using tracer tests [29]. Contrary to the successful application in
China [29] and Brazil [30,31], the use of European methods to the Mexican Yucatán karst has shown
that the applied methods need more adaptation for the local karst system and do not correspond with
regional characteristics. The applied methods include EPIK, COP, PI and PaPRIKa. While the first
three methods showed similar vulnerability (>52%), the PaPRIKa method has shown especially high
and very high vulnerability for the test site [12]. This can be justified by the fact that this PaPRIKa
method takes all components of the karst aquifer into account. In general, there are modern tools for
the application of the method, such as a PaPRIKa QGIS plugin [32]. In the eastern hemisphere, in the
regions around Beirut, Jal el Dib and Tripoli, Lebanon, three different variations of the EPIK method
were applied. Thereby the author distinguished between EPIK-V1 to V3 regarding the urbanization
impact [33].
In general, the EPIK method has been modified various times over the last decades. The RISKE
method, presented by Petelet-Giraud et al. [34], and further developed by Plagnes et al. [35] to become
the RISKE 2 method, was the first modification, mentioned by Iván und Mádl-Szőnyi [26]. RISKE was
then further used as a base for the PRESK method, developed by Koutsi and Stournaras [36]. More
recent, the PaPRIKa method has been developed, combining several of the initial approaches, such as
EPIK, COP and the European approach. In the study of Moreno-Gómez, the PaPRIKa method has
been applied together with the EPIK method and others [12]. In combination with hazard and risk
assessment, the EPIK method has been applied by Younos et al. [37].
Resulting from the overview in this work, the EPIK method is a worldwide applied and commonly
used method. Due to its practicality, various studies have shown that this EPIK method can be an
important tool for vulnerability assessment. In addition to that, the EPIK method is an easy to use tool,
Environments 2019, 6, 116 5 of 16
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which delivers fast results [30]. Although it is important to verify the results of the EPIK method using
tracer test, it is not always feasible to obtain such measurements. In individual cases, adaptations
regarding the local test site have to be made, which was observed in the study of Moreno-Gómez et
al. [12], Momejian et al. [33] and Loborec et al. [14].
A more detailed overview of the differences between the significant studies is presented in the
studies of Ravbar and Goldscheider [8], Younos et al. [37], Iván and Mádl-Szőnyi [26] and Lenhare &
Sallun Filho [30]. A summary of the case studies mentioned in this work is provided in Table S1.

3. Case Study
The study area of this research is located in the Epirus Region, NW Greece, and is presented in
Figure 1. The village of Perivleptos is displaced within the study area. It is part of the Mitsikeli karst
system [38], and hence we refer to the system as the Perivleptos karst aquifer. The protection of this
part of the karst aquifer is crucially important due to the presence of the two biggest bottled water
companies in Greece. The study area enfolds around 10 km2 and is located in a distance approximately
15 km north of the city of Ioannina. The test site borders to the Mitsikeli Mountain Plateau in the
northeast with elevations between 600 m and 1461 m, while in the southwest of the study area the
elevation is ranging between 480 m and 600 m above mean sea level. The present slope ranges from
0.02% to 71.36%.

Figure 1. Test Site Perivleptos, NW Greece.

According to the Köppen and Geiger classification, the climate of Greece is a Mediterranean
climate with mild and rainy winters and warm, dry summers [39]. The winter period lasts from
October until the end of March, whereas the summer months last from April until September. The
lowest mean temperature is 4.7 ◦ C in January, and the highest is 24.8 ◦ C in July. The annual mean
temperature is 14.3 ◦ C [39]. Rainfall in Greece occurs mainly during the winter months between
October and the end of March. During the summer months, rainfall events are rare. Rainfall mainly
occurs in intervals with rapid rain or in combination with thunderstorms [40].
Environments 2019, 6, 116 6 of 16

3.1. Land Use

The land use map of the study area was created with ArcGIS and is based on the Corine Land
Cover [41] and updated using satellite images and field observations. It consists mostly of vegetated
areas with large parts of forest cover. More precisely the land cover is composed of eight different
items, and can be divided into three major groups.
First, there are urban units, used for industrial and commercial use. These areas are located
especially in the southern area of the study area. They are depicted around the village of Perivleptos
covering an area of 0.69 km2 . The second group contains agricultural land as well as areas with
complex cultivation patterns. This covers an area of 2.57 km2 . There has to be mentioned that due to
the high number of agriculturally used areas in between the urban areas around Perivleptos, a very
strict distinction is not possible. The third group enfolds an area of 5.49 km2 and includes large areas
of broad-leaved and mixed forests, as well as sclerophyllous plants, mostly in the northern part of
the study area. In higher altitudes, between agricultural areas and forests, there is an area of natural
grasslands, covering an area of 1.03 km2 . In conclusion, the overall land use of the study area is
pictured in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Land use based on Corine Land Cover [41].

3.2. Geology
In Greece, around 35% of the land is covered by carbonate rocks [42]. Eighty percent of them are
developed within sedimentary rocks (limestones and dolomites), mainly in the regions of Western
Greece, Epirus, Peloponnese and Crete Island [43]. Carbonate sedimentary rocks in Greece are said
to date back to the Mesozoic Era, 252–66 million years ago, while metamorphic rocks are from the
Paleozoic–Mesozoic Era [6,44]. The research area is primarily covered with carbonate rocks (limestone)
in the mountainous zone and with superficial formations in the flat area around Perivleptos town
(Figure 3). More precise, the geologic formations in the study area consist of Posidonian schists and
limestones belonging to the Ionian tectonic zone.
Environments 2019, 6, 116 7 of 16

Figure 3. Geological map of the study area (based on the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration
(IGME) [45]).

4. Methodology
In order to perform pollution risk assessment, vulnerability as well as hazard assessment have to
be performed in advance. The whole procedure is displayed in the flowchart in Figure 4. Firstly, the
four parameters have to be determined to apply the Epikarst, Protective Cover, Infiltration Conditions
and Degree of Karstic Network Development (EPIK) method.

Figure 4. Flowchart of the used processes for generating the vulnerability and pollution risk maps.

Therefore, each parameter is assigned with category values, ranging from 1–3 or 1–4. For the
evaluation of the four parameters of the EPIK method, various tools can be used besides.
In this case study, geomorphological maps were used in order to determine the Epikarst parameter
(E). Remote sensing and aerial photography can be used for further investigation, as well as field
investigation [46]. Additionally, hydrogeophysical methods are useful and essential for the Epikarst
determination and karst aquifer structure [47]. For the definition of the P factor, the present soil, as
well as geological formations covering the karst aquifer, are taken into account. Due to its practicability,
only the thickness of the protective cover is considered.
Environments 2019, 6, 116 8 of 16

Therefore, geological maps in combination with satellite pictures were used, based on existing
data [38]. The I and K parameters were determined with the help of ArcGIS, more precise, digital
elevation and slope models were used, based on the data available from the study of Voudouris et
al. [48] and Nikolaou [38]. The determination of the K parameter is usually based on direct identification
through the presence of caves or swallow holes. In this case study, further indirect methods, based on
flow hydrograph analysis, tracer tests, as well as water quality examination, had to be used [38].
Subsequently, ArcGIS Software was utilized for the preparation of single parameter maps (Figure 5).
Accordingly, to its protective function, the parameters are weighted, and last of all, added up obtaining
the values for the four parameters [11].
The following Equation (1) describes the process for calculating the protection index F:

F = α·Ei + β·P j + γ·Ik + δ· KI (1)

The indices, α = 3, β = 1, γ = 3 and δ = 2 are determined by Doerfliger and Zwahlen [11] and
represent the weighting coefficients for each parameter. The indices Ei , Pj , Ik , and Ki represent the
ratings of each parameter. The vulnerability values range from 9–34 and are ranked in four classes.
Low values of the protection index F signify a higher vulnerability of the karst aquifer [11,27].
Following Equation (1), and by using raster calculator in GIS, the vulnerability map was created
(Figure 6). Additionally, a single parameter sensitivity analysis was implemented [49]. The sensitivity
analysis is a dynamic tool that helps the analyst to judge the significance of subjectivity components
and provides essential information on the influence of the weights of each parameter. The sensitivity
analysis performed according to Equation 2 [49] using raster calculator within the toolbox of ArcGIS, is
as follows:
W = [(Pr × Pw )/V] × 100 (2)

where:

W = the effective weight of each parameter (%)

Pr = the parameter’s rating
Pw = the parameter’s weight
V = the aggregated value of the applied index.

Subsequent to the validation of the parameters and the creation of the final vulnerability map, the
hazard map was prepared. The hazard map in this context describes the potential threat of pollution
and was produced with ArcGIS by taking Corine land use data and possible pollution sources into
account. More detailed, the hazard map was adapted in ArcGIS, according to the present pollution
sources mentioned in Table 1.

Table 1. Land use ratings for the Hazard map (adapted from Kazakis et al. [9]).

Land Uses Hazard Rating

Agriculture Very High 4
Industrial or urban units High 3
Streets Moderate 2
Forests Low 1

The pollution risk map depicts the areas in which it is most likely that groundwater will be polluted,
caused by human activities. The risk is very high, where high vulnerable zones and dangerous hazards
come together [24]. For this case study, the risk map was evaluated by overlaying the vulnerability
and hazard map, following Equation (3) [6].

RISK = Vulnerability · Hazard (3)

Environments 2019, 6, 116 9 of 16

5. Results
The following Figure 5 displays the distribution of the single parameters. The Epikarst (E) and
Infiltration parameter (I) are very important for the resulting vulnerability map, and therefore their
theoretical weight is three times the weight of the K parameter (Karst network) and 1.5 times the weight
of the P parameter (Protective cover). As can be seen from the Figure 5 a high percentage of the area is
covered by high epikarst values. In addition to that, the same area is affected by little to non-protective
cover, which results in high vulnerability (Figure 6). A similar distribution is to be seen for karst
development. Infiltration is high in the northern area of the test site, where most forest-covered areas
occur. This leads to a low vulnerability and is displayed by green color in the specific parameter map.
Following Equation (1) the initial vulnerability assessment revealed 71% of very high vulnerability
in the study area. High and moderate vulnerability occurs mainly in the northern territory of the test
site (18% and 0.33%, respectively). Only in the upper part and close to the lower border of the test site,
low vulnerability occurs (11%). Very low vulnerability appears in neglecting small parts in the study
area (Figure 6).
In order to analyze the significance of each parameter and to verify the actual weight of the input
parameters, an additional sensitivity analysis was implemented and used for the preparation of an
additional validated vulnerability map. Validation in this context means the verification of input
parameters. The results of the sensitivity analysis are summarized in Table 2. In this table the statistical
results of the single parameter sensitivity analysis are presented. The sensitivity analysis overcomes
the subjectivity of the used data, and hence increases the reliability of the method. The weights of each
parameter are replaced from the mean values of the sensitivity analysis and thus, the model presents
a more validated vulnerability map. For the vulnerability assessment, the revised parameters are
displayed in Figure 7.

Figure 5. Thematic maps of parameters E, P, I, K. (The Epikarst, Protective Cover, Infiltration Conditions
and Degree of Karstic Network Development (EPIK) Method).
Environments 2019, 6, 116 10 of 16

Figure 6. Initial vulnerability map of the study area.

Figure 7. Validated vulnerability map of the study area.

Environments 2019, 6, 116 11 of 16

Table 2. Sensitivity analysis for Epikarst, Protective Cover, Infiltration Conditions and Degree of Karstic
Network Development (EPIK) parameters.

Initial Weights Standard

Parameter Minimum (%) Maximum (%) Mean (%)
Expressed in (%) Deviation (%)
E 33.3 13.6 42.8 9.7 23.6
P 11.1 3.2 23.1 5.9 8.7
I 33.3 23.1 66.7 18.4 49.3
K 22.2 11.1 46.2 8.33 18.4

The assessment of the validated vulnerability map showed that 22.6% of the total area is very
highly vulnerable to groundwater pollution. In contrary to the initial vulnerability map, where the
largest part contained very high vulnerability (71.04%), the validated parameters lead to a smaller
area containing very high susceptibility (22.60%). The largest part within the validated map is highly
vulnerable (58.8%), in contrary to the 17.47% of the initial map. Only 0.5% of the total area is moderately
sensitive (0.3% in the initial map), whereas 18.1% of the area is low vulnerable against pollution (11.19%
respectively).
Comparing the average effective weight of the analysis with the theoretical weights of the EPIK
parameters (Table 2), the Epikarst parameter (E) in this study is undervalued with 23.6% instead of
33.3%. On the contrary, the Infiltration parameter (I) is over weighted, with 49.3% to 33.3%. The
influence of the Protective cover parameter (P) is only little less according to its theoretical weight (8.7%
to 11.1%), as well as the Karst network (K) parameter (18.4% to 22.2% respectively). Comparing both
vulnerability maps, the I-parameter presents the strongest influence, followed by the E-parameter. For
the risk assessment, the validated vulnerability map was used in order to provide more reliable results.
The hazard map presents high to very high danger in the urban area around Perivleptos village
(3.48% and 10.67%, respectively). Urban and industrial land uses have an impact on the hazard
calculation. As appears from the map (Figure 8), moderate hazard appears in the area of streets (33.1%)
while low hazard occurs in forest-covered areas (52.68%).

Figure 8. Hazard and risk map of the study area.

Conclusively, the highest risk for pollution covers 12.9% and is very high around the urban and
industrial used areas in the southern part of the test site. A high risk of contamination appears mainly
in areas covered by agricultural activities (48%). Moderate risk is presented around the areas around
urban and agricultural used regions and includes 35.6%, while low risk of contamination occurs
in the northern part of the area, where mostly forest covers the region (3.56%). The distribution is
summarized in Table 3.
Environments 2019, 6, 116 12 of 16

Table 3. Distribution of validated Vulnerability, Hazard and validated Risk in the study area.

Vulnerability Hazard Risk

Area Percent Area Percent Area Percent
(km2 ) (%) (km2 ) (%) (km2 ) (%)
Very-high 2.21 22.60 Very-high 1.04 10.63 Very high 1.26 12.86
High 5.76 58.83 High 0.34 3.48 High 4.70 48.00
Moderate 0.05 0.49 Moderate 3.23 32.97 Moderate 3.48 35.58
Low 1.77 18.07 Low 5.18 52.91 Low 0.35 3.56

6. Discussion
Vulnerability maps are simplifications of natural processes and constitute a valuable tool for
groundwater protection [50]. However, the conceptualization of the hydrogeological regime is required
for system characterization [51]. Therefore, the availability of significant data, its validation and
interpretation, are of utmost importance. In order to access reliable data, especially for the Epikarst
(E) and Protective Cover Parameter (P), many resources are necessary. Given the available time and
financial scale of this study, there was no possibility to attend fieldwork validation for every parameter,
but data has been provided by former studies in the area [38,48]. This might lead to deviations in this
study. The EPIK method is a multi-parameter method [11], and thus it is based on rating parameters.
With the use of only four parameters, it allows itself to be applied within areas where only limited data
is available, and upon the condition that the examined area is a karst area.
Due to the fact that the EPIK method is designed for application in karst aquifers, it is developed
and adapted specifically for these regions, but might be incongruous for porous or fissured rock
aquifers [27]. In addition to that, the EPIK method is an easy to use tool, which delivers fast results [30].
This, however, could mislead one to a so-called “rapid assessment”, where users of the method do not
consider wisely, which could result in serious errors [23]. Additionally, the EPIK method is based on
weighing parameters. Therefore, subjectivity is inevitable, and can affect the results of the vulnerability
assessment. This means the results have to be validated and interpreted carefully by the responsible
researchers [22]. The here displayed results have been validated using the single parameter sensitivity
analysis [49]. It is a dynamic tool that helps the analysts to estimate the significance of subjectivity
components and provides essential information about the influence of weights for each parameter.
The sensitivity analysis has been used in coastal aquifer vulnerability validation and in flood hazard
area assessment by Kazakis et al. [27,52], in the delineation of zones for the application of Managed
Aquifer Recharge (MAR) [53], as well as in groundwater risk index by Lezzaik et al. [54]. Clearly,
the single sensitivity constitutes a robust method for model validation in environmental issues. It is
worth mentioning that using lumped, deterministic and spatial modeling is essential to understand the
function of a karst aquifer and is suggested to be coupled with the concept of groundwater vulnerability
assessment [9].
As resulting from the literature overview in this work, tracer tests or more physically based
approaches were used by various authors [23,26] in order to validate the results of the vulnerability
assessment with the EPIK method. In addition, the application and results of the EPIK method were
compared to other methods which were applied in the same test site [8,10,23–25,27,55,56]. However,
in this case study, tracer tests have been used in order to determine certain parameters, but could not
be implemented for results validation due to the location of the Perivleptos aquifer and its proximity
to the boreholes of the water bottling company [38]. In comparison to other studies, this EPIK method
has shown a stronger weighted vulnerability for poorly karstified environments compared to other
methods in the publication of Gogu, Hallet and Dassargues [23]. In addition to that, the resulting
vulnerability appeared very coherent (91% of moderate vulnerability).
The authors endorsed the combination with physically based methods in order to validate the
results [23,26]. Another possibility was presented within the study of Kazakis et al. [27] where authors
used a general approach in combination with more specific approaches for special types of aquifers,
e.g., EPIK for karstic aquifers while the AVI method was applied for porous aquifers.
Environments 2019, 6, 116 13 of 16

Turning to a more detailed consideration of EPIK parameters, the fluctuation of the groundwater
table is not sufficiently fulfilled by the EPIK method, as was to observe in the study of Ravbar and
Goldscheider [8], Baalousha [15] and Iván and Mádl-Szőnyi [26]. In addition to that, the lithology and
thickness of the unsaturated zone, as well as the confining conditions, are neglected factors of the EPIK
method [27]. Further disregarded factors of this EPIK method were highlighted comparing EPIK and
COP methods by Hamdan et al. [28], where the quantity and temporal distribution of precipitation
were not taken into account. Furthermore, the resulting vulnerability map showed a very rough
distinction of vulnerability classes [28].
In order to apply the EPIK method in non-European environments, studies of Moreno-Goméz [12]
and Pereira et al. [31] have shown the necessity of specific adaptation regarding regional characteristics
of the local study area, as well as climatic and hydrogeological parameters.

7. Conclusions
The EPIK method is commonly used for vulnerability assessment, not only in Europe, but also
around the world. In this study, the EPIK method was applied for vulnerability assessment in the
Perivleptos karst aquifer (NW Greece). Additionally, the EPIK method has been validated using
the single parameter sensitivity analysis, and was complemented for groundwater pollution risk
assessment. Results revealed high to very high vulnerability and moderate to very high pollution
risk in the majority of the test site. The highly vulnerable zones are related to a high degree of
karstification and the absence of soil cover. The overvalued Infiltration parameter counteracted to the
other three parameters, which resulted in a lower vulnerability and risk for the area. Similarly, very
high pollution risk zones of the aquifer correspond to high and very highly vulnerable zones overlying
with agricultural, livestock, poultry farms and industrial activities.
The karst aquifer of Mitsikeli is characterized by high vulnerability and obviously its protection is
of utmost importance. Hence, a set of protection measures is proposed, aiming to retain the system’s
sustainability. These measures should include a monitoring program on groundwater quantity
and quality, as well as the delineation of protection zones of the boreholes and springs which are
exploited to cover the demands for domestic use. In addition, any change in land use, as well as the
installation of poultry and livestock farms, must be accompanied by the necessary hydrogeological
and environmental studies.
According to the literature overview, the EPIK method can be an important tool for vulnerability
assessment, however, it should be applied wisely, and validated with the help of sensitivity analysis,
simulation of systems function, statistical analysis, tracer tests or more physically-based approaches.
As appearing in the literature overview, most studies have used the EPIK method in combination
with other methods, such as DRASTIC, SINTACS, LeGrand, GOD, ISIS, AVI, KDI, COP, PI, VULK,
the European as well as the Slovene approach and the PaPRIKa method. On balance, the application
of the EPIK method can provide a general characterization of the karst aquifer vulnerability even in
sites with a lack of data. However, result comparison using different methods or the validation of the
single parameters using sensitivity analyses are valuable tools in order to increase the reliability of the
vulnerability mapping and achieve sustainable management of the karst aquifer.

Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/6/11/116/s1,

Table S1: Literature Overview.
Author Contributions: A.V. contributed to the application of the method, data collection and preparation of
the manuscript. N.K. contributed in the application of the method, field measurements and preparation of the
manuscript. K.V. conceived the project idea, contributed to the application of the method, field measurements and
preparation of the manuscript. S.B. contributed to the preparation and the review of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Acknowledgments: This research was carried out in the framework of a research internship between the University
of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, Germany and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (Dept. of
Geology). This internship was founded by the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University
Environments 2019, 6, 116 14 of 16

Students (ERASMUS+). The preliminary results of this survey were presented at the 14th Conference of the
Hellenic Hydrotechnical Association, Volos, 16–17 May 2019 (in Greek).
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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