Karst flash flooding in a Mediterranean karst, the example of Fontaine de Nîmes

Karst flash flooding, identified as one of the hazards in karst terrains, is directly linked to the structure and hydraulic properties of karst aquifers. Due to the characteristics of flow within karst aquifers, characterized by a dual flow – diffuse flow within fissured limestone and conduit flow within karst conduits networks – flash flooding may be important in volume and dynamics. Such phenomenon may cause serious damages including loss of lives, as it occurred on 3rd October 1988 in Nîmes (Gard, South France). Flash floods there have been considered to be the result of very intensive rainfall events conjugated to runoff due to the geomorphologic context of the city located down hill. However, preliminary results of recent studies of the hydrologic behaviour of groundwater and surface water for a specific event (September 2005) show that the karst plays an important role in the flood genesis. The main characteristics of the Nîmes karst system leading to karst flash flooding are presented in this paper. A methodology comprising modelling of the karst system allowed proposing simple warning thresholds for various part of the karst (water level threshold for the karst conduits and cumulative rainfall threshold for the overflowing fissured karst). These thresholds can be included in the flash flood warning system of the Nîmes city.     

Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining protection areas using a multi-attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method)

 Groundwater resources from karst aquifers play a major role in the water supply in karst areas in the world, such as in Switzerland. Defining groundwater protection zones in karst environment is frequently not founded on a solid hydrogeological basis. Protection zones are often inadequate and as a result they may be ineffective. In order to improve this situation, the Federal Office for Environment, Forests and Landscape with the Swiss National Hydrological and Geological Survey contracted the Centre of Hydrogeology of the Neuchatel University to develop a new groundwater protection-zones strategy in karst environment. This approach is based on the vulnerability mapping of the catchment areas of water supplies provided by springs or boreholes. Vulnerability is here defined as the intrinsic geological and hydrogeological characteristics which determine the sensitivity of groundwater to contamination by human activities. The EPIK method is a multi-attribute method for vulnerability mapping which takes into consideration the specific hydrogeological behaviour of karst aquifers. EPIK is based on a conceptual model of karst hydrological systems, which suggests considering four karst aquifer attributes: (1) Epikarst, (2) Protective cover, (3) Infiltration conditions and (4) Karst network development. Each of these four attributes is subdivided into classes which are mapped over the whole water catchment. The attributes and their classes are then weighted. Attribute maps are overlain in order to obtain a final vulnerability map. From the vulnerability map, the groundwater protection zones are defined precisely. This method was applied at several sites in Switzerland where agriculture contamination problems have frequently occurred. These applications resulted in recommend new boundaries for the karst water supplies protection-zones. Received: 27 October 1997 · Accepted: 4 July 1998     

Management of karst aquifers in Serbia for water supply

Karst aquifers represent one of the main sources of water supply in Serbia. Wide distributions of karstic areas, abundant reserves, and excellent quality of karst groundwater have been the reasons for its extensive use in water supply systems throughout the country. In Serbia, 70 karstic sources have been tapped for centralized water supply, with the assessed minimal capacity exceeding 4.5 m³/s. Most of the large cities of Eastern and Western Serbia currently use karst groundwater for water supply; however, due to unstable flow regime when only natural springflow is tapped, numerous problems arise during the recession period (summer–autumn). During the last two decades, after favorable conditions had been confirmed through hydrogeological survey and feasibility studies, several newly constructed systems for artificial control of karst aquifers (mostly in Eastern Serbia) resulted in significantly improved water supply.     

Groundwater monitoring for cement kiln dust disposal units in karst aquifers

Well-developed karst aquifers tend to be heterogeneous and consist of variable porosities. Groundwater monitoring and the associated data interpretations in such aquifers are often more complicated than porous medium aquifers. Collection of representative data in karst aquifers often requires monitoring at appropriately located wells and/or springs that are proven to connect to the groundwater system. Water samples are to be collected under different flow conditions, including base flow, high-flow, and low-flow. The sampling frequencies may vary from several months for base flows to minutes in response to recharge events. The groundwater monitoring program presented in this paper is for a cement kiln dust mono-fill site in a karst area of southern Indiana. Following dye tracing and extensive geophysical investigations, one spring was selected as a monitoring location. A second spring should be used as a monitoring location when the last cell of the mono-fill begins receiving the wastes. The paper discusses results from the first spring, at which nine background sampling events were completed to evaluate the natural variations of the water quality. Based on the background data, a statistical evaluation plan was developed for 12 water-quality parameters to determine the integrity of the landfill. The statistical power of the statistical analyses was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations.     

Characterization of the physical and hydraulic properties of the sediment in karst aquifers of the Springfield Plateau,Central Missouri,USA

Physical and hydraulic properties of sediment from two karst aquifers were measured to determine (1) the similarity of sediment between karst aquifer systems and (2) the importance of sediment in modeling flow through karst aquifers. The sediment from the two systems was similar in size and composition. Within both aquifers, the silt-sized sediment was composed primarily of quartz, with minor amounts of plagioclase and clays. Hydraulic conductivity of the sediment measured directly (falling-head test) ranged from 1.61×10⁻⁷ to 1.33×10⁻⁶ m s^–1 and estimated using the Campbell equation ranged from 8.30×10⁻⁸ to 8.98×10⁻⁷ m s^–1. These values of hydraulic conductivity fall within the span of hydraulic conductivities for carbonate rocks, indicating that the sediment and carbonate matrix could be represented as one mathematical unit in modeling flow through karst aquifers. Statistical agreement in the hydraulic conductivity values generated by the two methods indicates that the estimation technique could be used to calculate hydraulic conductivities; thus allowing karst scientist to collect bulk sediment samples instead of having to collect cores from within karst aquifers. Electronic Publication     

Travel time based approach for the assessment of vulnerability of karst groundwater: the Transit Time Method

Karst aquifers represent important water resources in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, karst aquifers are characterised by high contamination risks. This paper presents a travel time based method for the estimation of karst groundwater vulnerability. It considers (1) physics-based lateral flow within the uppermost weathered zone (epikarst) in a limestone-dominated region and (2) high velocities of vertical infiltration at discrete infiltration points (e.g. sinkholes) or lines (e.g. dry valleys, faults). Consequently, the Transit Time Method honours the actual flow path within the unsaturated zone of a karst aquifer system. A test site in Northern Jordan was chosen for the demonstration of the assessment technique, i.e. the catchment area of the Qunayyah Spring north of the capital Amman. The results demonstrate that zones of highest vulnerability lie within valleys and nearby main fault zones. It also reveals that regions, categorised as protected areas by other methods due to thick unsaturated zones, contribute to a major degree to the total risk.     

Water supply potential and optimal exploitation capacity of karst aquifer systems

The management of groundwater flow systems in karst regions appears, at present, to be the most important procedure for solving water deficiency problems during periods of low rainfall. Faced with a lack of data for characterizing the water supply potential of karst aquifers, analyses of spring hydrographs may provide valuable indirect information regarding the structure of karst hydrogeological systems. To estimate the optimal exploitation capacities of karstic sources, a stochastic-conceptual approach was applied in case studies from the Serbian karst. Water supply potentials were initially evaluated on the basis of groundwater budgets. Further steps towards defining optimal “exploitable” regimes included analyses of storage changes in karst water reservoirs under natural conditions and calculation of the potential expansion of currently tapped sources. The results obtained through these analyses are a significant contribution to feasibility studies and aid in the avoidance of problems of overexploitation.     

西龙河水源地水文地质特征初步研究

为了合理利用岩溶水,根据物探及水源井资料,对西龙河水源地岩溶水水文地质特征进行了初步研究。结果表明：西龙河水源地奥陶系碳酸盐岩岩溶发育程度主要受岩性、构造及埋藏条件等因素的控制,随方解石含量的增高而增强,随水动力条件的减弱而减弱,随深度的增加而减弱;主要接受大气降水以及区外岩溶地下水的侧向径流补给,向人工开采区排泄;岩溶水水位动态变化具明显的平盘上升、平盘下降和缓降陡升的特点,岩溶含水层具较强的导水性能和恢复功能;岩溶水水质良好。     

Simulation of the development of karst aquifers: role of the epikarst

 The evolution of a karst aquifer is modelled taking into account the karst groundwater flow as well as the dissolution kinetics of calcite. In particular, infiltration of water from the epikarst is simulated which controls the temporal and spatial distribution of recharge to the phreatic zone. The results show that the evolution of karst conduits is initiated in the spring. The existence of preferential flow paths leads to the evolution of highly conductive so-called dendritic cave systems, i.e., single passages which concentrate the flow and drain the catchment. With time, the amount of undersaturated water flowing directly into the conduit system is increased leading to an acceleration of the conduits enlargement. Three phases are identified for the evolution of karst aquifers: (a) an initiation stage; (b) an enlargement stage; and (c) a stagnation phase. Received: 4 August 1997 / Accepted: 19 January 1998     

Karst groundwater protection in the Kupa River catchment area and sustainable development

One of the most significant water resources in the Republic of Croatia is the catchment area of the Kupa River, located in the region bordering the Republic of Slovenia. About 88% of the total amount of water in this catchment originates in Croatia and just 12% from Slovenia; therefore, the largest part of the catchment area (about 1000 km²) is on the Croatian side of the border. It is a typical karst area of the Dinarides with aquifers characterized by a relatively rapid water exchange, high groundwater flow velocities and aquifers open to human impact from the surface. Consequently, the aquifers are highly vulnerable and at risk. Due to the availability of large quantities of high-quality spring water (about 6 m³/s), the entire area has a strategic importance within the context of any future development strategy pertaining to the western part of Croatia. The catchment area on the Croatian side was investigated using a wide range of research methods that included a classical hydrogeological approach, the detailed hydrologic calculation of water balance to the hydrogeochemical analyses and modelling. The objective was to determine protection zones and protection measures for the whole area. The difficulties are increased due to the fact that the karst catchment area is crossed by major traffic corridors, oil pipelines and a railway and that many settlements and a highly developed wood industry are present. The combination of protecting water resources with adequate prevention measures and necessary remedial activities that should satisfy the very strict requirements necessary for the protection of the karst aquifers while still allowing for present and future human activities is difficult – but not impossible – to achieve. One good example is the present highway with a closed dewatering system and waste water treatment before the water passes into the karst underground system.     

Inference of the structure of karst conduits using quantitative tracer tests and geological information: example of the Swiss Jura

Karst aquifers are known for being particularly heterogeneous with highly transmissive conduits embedded in low permeability volumes of rock matrix. Artificial tracer experiments have been carried out in a complex karst aquifer of the folded Jura Mountains in Switzerland with the aim of deciphering the conduit organisation. It is shown that tracer experiments with multiple injection points under different flow conditions can lead to useful information on the conduits’ structure. This information has been combined with data from structural geology, spring hydrology, and speleological observations. A conceptual model of the conduit network shows that a detailed inference of the conduit organisation can be reached: geology controls conduit location and orientation; spring hydrology, including temporary springs, constrains conduit elevations and relative hydraulic heads in the aquifer subsystems; and tracer tests identify major flow paths and outlets of the system and dilution caused by non-traced tributaries, as well as the presence of secondary flow routes. This understanding of the Aubonne aquifer structure has important implications for the future management of the groundwater resource. Similar approaches coupling geological information, spring hydrology, and multi-tracer tests under various flow conditions may help to characterise the structure of the conduit network in karst aquifers.     

Applying a modified conduit flow process to understand conduit-matrix exchange of a karst aquifer

Due to the high heterogeneity and complexity of water flow movement for multiple karst water-bearing mediums,the evaluation,effective development,and utilization of karst water resources are significantly limited.Matrix flow is usually laminar,whereas conduit flow is usually turbulent.The driving mechanisms of water exchange that occur between the karst conduit and its adjacent matrix are not well understood.This paper investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics and the mechanism of flow exchange in dual water-bearing mediums(conduit and matrix)of karst aquifers through laboratory experimentation and numerical simulation.A karst aquifer consisting of a matrix network and a conduit was proposed,and the relationship between the water exchange flux and hydraulic head differences generated from the laboratory experiments was analyzed.Two modes of experimental tests were performed with different fixed water level boundaries in the laboratory karst aquifer.The results indicate that the water exchange capacity was proportional to the square root of hydraulic head differences.The linear exchange term in the conduit flow process(CFP)source program was modified according to experimental results.The modified CFP and the original CFP model experimental data results were compared,and it was found that the modified CFP model had better fitting effects.These results showed that the water exchange mechanism between conduit and matrix is very important for solid-liquid interface reaction,water resource evaluation,and understanding of karst hydrodynamic behavior.     

Karst groundwater resources in the countries of eastern Mediterranean: the example of Lebanon

The hydrogeological study of some karst systems in Lebanon shows important storage capacity, up to 27 billions m³ for Zarka system, the spring of Orontes River. Their geological and morphological settings, as well as their hydrodynamic function, show structures developed below the level of present springs, probably up to several hundreds meters at depth. Since Miocene, those carbonate formations were subject to a remarkable instability of their base levels. Variations of sea level, of which the Messinian salinity crisis is the major phase, and effects of the alpine orogenesis, combined with climate variations to develop complex, multiphased karst systems. Karstification occurs frequently in the whole formation, often deeply below sea level or underneath sediment filling of continental basins. The surface karst landscape is often intensely eroded. Those multiple, superimposed karst phases give the carbonate aquifers their large extension and storage capacity. These karst aquifers show the typical easy restoration of storage. They have the ability to bear large interannual recharge variations and support exploitation under high pumping rates. However, these aquifers have some disadvantages for sustainable management. In some regions, successful boreholes, which allow high pumping rates also induce uncontrolled exploitation. Another consequence is natural seawater intrusion, as well as the submarine discharge of fresh groundwater, in coastal aquifers. Those carbonate aquifers are subject to important economical stress which jeopardizes their durability. The systematic study and understanding of carbonate aquifers in Eastern Mediterranean is a preliminary condition to any integrated and sustainable management of water resources. Studies in progress in Lebanon may serve as examples to the whole region.     

北京岩溶水系统划分及特征分析

岩溶水是北京市重要的战略后备水源,在城市供水方面发挥了重大作用,岩溶水系统划分对于掌握岩溶水资源、合理开发利用岩溶水是至关重要的。本文结合地质构造、地形地貌、水文地质条件,考虑含水岩组的连续性、不同级别地表水分水岭、地质构造的水文地质性质,将北京地区划分为3个一级岩溶水系统、7个二级岩溶水系统、16个三级岩溶水系统。其中隐伏型岩溶水系统无裸露的可溶岩或零星分布,天然资源少,地下水径流方向主要受开采影响,与上覆孔隙水有密切的水力联系。山前型岩溶水系统可溶岩分布于山区和平原,岩溶水天然补给资源丰富,含水层厚度大、分布广,调蓄能力强,开发利用程度高,排泄区有明显的阻水边界,储水能力强。山区型岩溶水系统可溶岩分布于山区,地下水向河谷、低洼处径流,排泄速度快,储存能力差,开采井零星分布,开发利用程度低。     

A transdisciplinary analysis of water problems in the mountainous karst areas of Morocco

Water management and engineering in the karstic High Atlas of Morocco are difficult tasks under the prevailing geological, hydrogeological, geomorphological, vegetational and climatic conditions. It is important to be able to understand and predict the characteristics and availability of water for future water planning in the region under changing climatic and agricultural conditions. An interdisciplinary analysis of problems and adequate hydrological modelling tools developed by geologists, hydrologists and biologists are necessary. The karst areas of the High Atlas Mountains are characterised by impermeable triassic basalt underlying substantial subsurface reservoirs with high potential discharge rates. The karst groundwater aquifers are extensive but largely unknown in dimension, probably with a hierarchical network of groundwater flow paths. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the surface water is directly lost to groundwater. Steep landslide- and debris flow prone slopes exist next to coarse-grained, highly porous river beds. Infrequent, high intensity rainfall or snowmelt causes a particularly high flood risk to these karst areas. In addition, agriculture and land use changes have degraded the karst areas. The most important driving forces for degradation include permanent overgrazing even during droughts and the use of firewood by a continually growing population. Large scale degradation of vegetation has occurred in the oro-mediterranean (mountainous Mediterranean) zone, between 2600 and 3400 m which coincides with the most important zone for karstic groundwater creation. The combination of high amounts of groundwater flow and rapid surface flow due to sparse vegetation has increased the problems of flood flow.     

北京西山黑龙关泉域岩溶水系统边界与水文地质性质

北方岩溶水系统具有固定补给范围和资源要素,是岩溶地下水进行独立循环的基本单元,控制了岩溶水的运移富集、水化学演化特征、资源构成以及环境地质问题。开展岩溶水系统研究的首要任务是确定系统边界位置及其水文地质性质。以北京西山黑龙关泉域岩溶水系统为研究对象,采用地质学、岩溶动力学、流体动力学、水文地球化学、地球物理勘探等方法,确定黑龙关泉域岩溶水系统是由南部大石河背斜岩溶水子系统和北部百花山向斜南翼岩溶水子系统2个次级系统组成;其含水岩层分别为蓟县系铁岭组、雾迷山组和青白口系景儿峪组、奥陶系、寒武系碳酸盐岩。根据边界的水文地质性质可以划分为地表分水岭边界、地下分水岭边界、隔水边界、岩溶含水层深埋滞流性边界等类型。     

岩溶地下水脆弱性评价研究

岩溶地下水脆弱性评价是基于保护岩溶含水层从而有效地管理和利用地下水提出的有效方法和手段。岩溶含水层的特殊性导致污染物极易进入地下含水层,并在岩溶管道中快速、远距离地运移。与其他基岩第四系含水层相比,岩溶含水层的保护面临更大的挑战。介绍了地下水脆弱性的概念;以及岩溶地下水脆弱性的相关问题,并讨论了岩溶区脆弱性评价应考虑的一些问题。     

岩溶区多重介质水流模型研究进展

数值模拟技术广泛应用于地下水资源评价工作中,为水资源合理开发利用提供科学依据。本文针对岩溶区的数值模拟技术展开研究,综述了岩溶区地下水流建模技术的主要方法和研究进展,介绍了SWMM模型、UGRFLOW模型、CAVE模型、CFP模型等多重介质模型的建模方式和运行原理。岩溶区地下水赋存介质复杂,管道、裂隙和空隙多重介质并存,水流特征多样,等效连续介质模型不能很好地刻画岩溶区复杂的地下水流特征。随着对岩溶水流系统研究的深入,二重和三重介质模型逐渐应用于岩溶区地下水流模拟工作中,取得较好成果,但仍存在如忽略中宽裂隙的导水作用、岩溶管道设置单一、模型适用性不强等问题。今后应从解析岩溶含水介质的结构特征入手,关注中宽裂隙在地下水流系统中的导水作用和水流特征,改进管道流模块以更好地刻画复杂的地下河管道,改进不同介质间水流交换量算法,提高模型精确性和适用性。      

“华北型”煤田岩溶水害及防治现状

“华北型”煤田的开采普遍受到煤层底板岩溶承压水的威胁，近年来，煤田岩溶水害的机理研究取得突破性进展，认为岩溶裂隙水网络是发生突水的物质基础，隔水层的岩石水学性质及厚度是突水的制约因素，断裂构造是突水的关键因素，采矿活动是突水的诱发因素；在水害防治方面，采用疏水降压、注浆改造、帷幕截流等技术方法，取得了明显的技术效果，本文旨在介绍水害现状，分析探讨治理对策，为治理煤田水害提供参考。     

桂林岩溶地下水14C 年龄测定结果及分析

通过对桂林市孤峰平原部分水文地质钻孔的泥盆系上统融县组灰岩( D3r)和石炭系下统大塘阶白云岩、灰岩( C1d )溶蚀裂隙含水层进行岩溶水14 C年龄分析测试,结果表明在与地表水或浅层地下水无直接水力联系的条件下,该岩溶地下水年龄一般都在3330aB. P.以上,且有随着深度增加而增大的趋势。该岩溶地下水年龄之所以偏大,主要是因为受制于其所处的地质环境的制约,水循环交替比较缓慢。