European Water 57: 423-428, 2017. © 2017 E.W. Publications Updated groundwater vulnerability evaluation at a coastal aquifer system in NE Greece G. Eminoglou1, I. Gkiougkis1, A. Kallioras2 and F.-K. Pliakas1* 1 Engineering Geology Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 67132 Xanthi, Greece 2 Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology Laboratory, School of Mining Engineering and Metallurgy, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80 Athens, Greece * e-mail:
[email protected] Abstract: This paper presents the updated vulnerability assessment of Xilagani - Imeros aquifer system in the coastal plain region of Rhodope Prefecture, NE Greece, in the framework of the groundwater management in the region. Information regarding the geological and geomorphological environment, as well as data concerning the hydrologic and hydrogeological regime of the study area are stated. The paper presents the application of DRASTIC and GALDIT vulnerability indexes procedures and the design of easy to use vulnerability maps in order to identify the parts where there is a serious potential for groundwater resources qualitative degradation due to agricultural pollution (DRASTIC approach) or seawater intrusion (GALDIT approach). The research is based on the results of hydrogeological studies in the study area for the year 2015 compared to the year 2006, including field hydrogeological measurements and chemical analyses in the laboratory, as well as the design of groundwater piezometric maps and hydrochemical maps. It is worth mentioning that DRASTIC index values for the year 2015 do not differ substantially compared to the corresponding values for the year 2006. Instead, increase of GALDIT index values is recorded for the year 2015 indicating worsening of the groundwater salinization status due to seawater intrusion.