CONSIDERACIONES METODOLÓGICAS ACERCA DEL PROCESO DE GESTIÓN DEL IMPACTO Y RIESGO DE CONTAMINACIÓN DE ACUÍFEROS.

This article describes and analyzes two approaches to the aquifers' contamination management process analysis: from an environmental impact concept and from natural risks management stages. Similarities and differences are analyzed and emphasis is given to applicability of each of them and to their characteristics. An emphasis is made on risk approach, which is less disclosed and ruled than the environmental one. Natural risks management process is described, including stages before, during, and after the event, stages widely known and taken as a guide during the management process. Such stages are the following: evaluation, prediction, prevention, alarm, and rehabilitation. In relation to underground water contamination, analysis and execution of such management stages have special characteristics, among which we can highlight two: the fact that contaminating events are not subject to a cyclical process which allows operating statistical techniques for obtaining return times and occurrence probabilities and that, in general, are processes pout off on time and which effects do not result most of the time in acute symptoms; besides, the article discusses the way how aspects related to communication and perception become relevant during prevention and alert stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]