Hydrogeological characterization and environmental effects of the deteriorating urban karst groundwater in a karst trough valley: Nanshan,SW China

The unique hydrogeology of karst makes the associated groundwater respond quickly to rainfall events and vulnerable to anthropogenic pollutions. In this study, high-frequency monitoring of spring discharge, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, along with monthly hydrochemical and microbial analyses, was undertaken at the outlet of Laolondong karst underground river in Nanshan, southwestern China. The aim was to explore the environmental effects of the catchment’s urban area on the karst groundwater resources. The monitoring data of a tracer test and the response of discharge to rainfall events demonstrate that conduits and narrow fissures coexist in the Laolongdong karst aquifer. The EC, Na⁺, Cl^? and SO₄^2? values (840 μS/cm, 33.7, 38.6 and 137.2 μg/L, respectively), along with high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria, at the outlet indicate considerable urban pollution in this area. The contaminants sulfate and nitrate showed different relationships with discharge and EC in different stages of a rainfall event. This behavior provided information about aquifer structure and the influence of transport properties. Meanwhile, the hydrological processes of groundwater flow could be modified by urbanization and result in increasing magnitude of urban floods in the underground river. In addition, sulfuric and nitric acids introduced by urbanization not only impact the karst groundwater quality, but also result in a significant perturbation to the carbon cycling system in the karst area.     

Chemical parameters as natural tracers in hydrogeology: a case study of Louros karst system,Greece

The Louros Basin hosts one of the most important karst systems of Epirus Prefecture (Greece) and plays a key role in supplying three counties with drinking water. Aiming to investigate the origin of groundwater and its flow patterns, a multi-tracer approach was used to describe and evaluate the hydrogeology of the system. Therefore, 271 surface water and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, and trace and rare earth elements, as well as stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H). These data provided meaningful tracing of the water origin, water–rock interaction processes, and relationships among the aquifers. In particular, the elaboration of the major ions supported by the distribution of rare earth elements indicated that there are three aquifers located at different levels hosted in the Senonian and Pantokrator limestone formations. These aquifers are hydraulically interconnected by a cascade and constitute the Louros karst system which is drained by the homonymous river. Hydrochemical and isotopic data revealed that the Louros karst system is isolated from the adjacent northern Ioannina Basin and it is being recharged by precipitation. Higher groundwater salinity, where present, is mainly associated with increased water–rock interaction due to longer and deeper hydrologic flow, favoring the dissolution of evaporitic, carbonate and phosphate minerals.     

Review: Carbonate aquifers and future perspectives of karst hydrogeology in India

About 3 % of India’s total land surface is occupied by carbonate rocks which are mostly karstified and constitute a significant source of groundwater. The groundwater drawn from these aquifers matches the water demand of ~35 million people living in 106 districts of the country and also the water needs of livestock, irrigation and industry. The studies on karst in India carried out so far have mostly addressed geology, hydrology and groundwater contamination. A literature survey suggests that there is a need for detailed research, applying new approaches and techniques for proper carbonate aquifer identification, characterization and management. Such specific approaches will improve modeling, exploitation and protection of karst groundwater. An overview of the research carried out on groundwater resources of karst formations in India is presented, which also throws light on the protection of karst aquifers from existing anthropogenic activities such as mining and groundwater over-exploitation.     

广西灵水岩溶大泉水文地质条件

灵水泉为广西典型的构造型岩溶大泉,其泉域分布面积大,泉水具有出口多、流量大、动态较稳定等特点.近些年来,灵水泉出口流量呈现减少的趋势,而且水质也出现了轻微污染,引起当地政府的高度重视.为查明灵水泉含水介质特征与补给特性,综合采用地面调查、物探、钻探和地下水示踪等方法研究灵水泉岩溶管道分布特征,并圈定了灵水泉补给范围.研究成果表明:灵水泉上游岩溶管道结构为网络状,管道规模不大,呈带状集中分布;北部一带为该泉主要补给区,典型集中径流带长约8 km,宽200~700 m.根据同位素的高程效应,计算得出灵水泉补给高程为496 m,与圈出的补给范围高程相近,印证了调查结果.本研究可为制定灵水地下水资源的开发利用和保护方案提供依据.     

Interacting tectonics,hydrogeology and karst processes in an intramontane basin: the Jiloca graben (NE Spain)

The Jiloca basin is a NNW–SSE trending, Neogene-Quaternary graben in NE Spain, bounded by normal faults with measurable hectometre-scale throws. Its overall trend truncates previous NW–SE folds. The sedimentary infilling includes Neogene and Quaternary deposits, exceeding 80 m in thickness. The stratigraphical and structural setting controls hydrogeology of the basin. Neogene marls constitute an aquiclude that separates a main Jurassic karstic, confined aquifer from a shallow, unconfined Plio-Quaternary aquifer. The Jurassic aquifer is laterally compartmented by impervious Upper Triassic anticline cores, though its piezometric surface usually lies 30–60 m higher than the Mesozoic-Neogene boundary. The geological, and specifically the hydrogeological features are not significantly compatible with a previously published hypothesis that considers the Jiloca depression as a polje (in which the final topography is the result of suballuvial karstic corrosion) for three reasons. First, the hypothetical corrosion front shows neither a specific relationship with the epiphreatic zone, nor control by the local presence of impervious Triassic rocks. Second, chemistry of groundwater at the underlying Jurassic aquifer would not allow limestone dissolution at rates necessary for producing the supposed erosion deepening of 300 m since the late Pliocene. Finally, no evidence of swallow holes or ponors has been found.     

织金大龙井岩溶大泉形成机理研究

为了弄清大龙井岩溶大泉形成机理以及地下水补径排关系。通过调查大龙井地形地貌、补径排关系以及对水化学分析等研究大龙井岩溶大泉的形成机理,通过调查得知:大龙井岩溶大泉是形成于低山－丘陵地区的石灰岩地区。是山盆期和乌江期的强烈岩溶作用以及河谷的不断下切,加上上寨台地地表峰丛之间发育洼地、漏斗,中间区域的落水洞,大气降雨沿着落水洞进入地下,在重力作用下从南向北径流,在这过程中水流逐渐集中,岩溶空间形态也逐步扩大,最终水汇集于龙洞沟呈泉集中排泄出地面,形成大龙井岩溶大泉以及大龙井水系统。      

Mass fluxes of xenobiotics below cities: challenges in urban hydrogeology

Urban areas are the focus of major ecological, social and economical activity. They are thus also prime locations of increasing conflict with regard to water use and water protection. As a direct and/or indirect consequence of urban land use and human activity, urban water systems are frequently polluted with organic contaminants including waste water-born xenobiotics such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (collectively known as PPCPs) and endocrine-active substances. This study reviews new integrated methodologies including flux calculations as well as chemical investigations for determining the impact of human activities on urban water systems and on processes within the urban watershed. The use of indicator substances, representing different contaminant sources and pathways, integral pumping tests and mass balance approaches are suitable alternatives within these environments. The issues are explored using contaminant mass balance examples from Halle/Saale and Leipzig, Germany.     

Analysis of karst spring recession curves,west of Iran

The recession hydrographs of karst springs provide important information about aquifer characteristics such as storage properties and drainage potential, karstification degree, and other hydrological features. The Faresban, Famaasb, Gonbad-e-Kabood, and Gian springs are the important karst springs which drain main karst aquifers in west of Iran. In this study, we evaluate hydrological characteristics of these four karst springs using different analytic equations. Almost, all the recession curves were well fitted by a function that consists of three main exponential terms. The initial portion of the recession curve represents the fast drainage of large fractures and conduits, ending with the slowly decreasing curve, where the drainage of rock matrix and small fissures or baseflow is dominant. The Gian spring has the largest storage volume but the lowest drained water (7%). Using Mangin’s equation, it is apparent that the baseflow supplies over 85% of the total drained water to the Gian spring, while a small quantity of total outflow is made up of quickflow periods. Of the water available to the Famaasb, Faresban, and Gonbad-e-Kabood springs, 85, 80, and 70% are drained during period of baseflow, respectively, whereas the quickflow periods have minor importance in some springs. Based on the Coutagne’s equation results, it can be concluded that the catchment of the Famaasb and Gonbad-e-Kabood springs have a karstified saturation zone with drainage channels that provide a rapid discharge with little storage capacity. At Gian catchment area, the initial discharge is not as rapid as karstification but is fairly homogeneous throughout the aquifer.     

龙涧泉岩溶水系统特征

文章以地下水系统理论为指导,对龙涧泉岩溶水系统的边界条件、人工干预条件下地下水动力场演化特征等方面进行了系统的研究。根据区域地质、构造、地形地貌和水文地质条件,探究了龙涧泉岩溶水系统,圈定了系统的范围、边界性质、流动系统内部及其与外部系统之间的关系,确定龙涧泉为系统的唯一天然排泄口,龙涧泉岩溶水系统与白浪岩溶水系统无直接水力联系。龙涧泉岩溶水系统岩溶水补给来源主要是大气降水、河流入渗及侧向径流补给,现状条件下总补给量为864.42万m3/a,多年平均补给量为836.81万m3/a;排泄主要是水源地开采和矿山排水,现状开采量为4 117.2万m3/a。由于开采量大于允许开采量,并超过了总补给量,区内岩溶水一直处于超采状态。2004—2008年矿区岩溶水实测年均下降1.61 m/a,多年（1984—2008）水位平均降幅为5.68 m/a,最大降幅17.42 m/a。此外还讨论了岩溶水系统的补给、排泄条件,提出了龙涧泉岩溶水开发、保护、复泉与管理龙涧泉岩溶水系统的建议。      

水化学—稳定同位素技术在岩溶水文地质研究中的应用

水化学—稳定同位素技术在岩溶水系统分析中得到了广泛的应用,尤其是在指示岩溶水文地球化学过程、识别岩溶水补给循环途径、溶质溯源及岩溶水污染监测防控等方面显示了独特的优势,产生了丰富的成果。本文着重阐述了环境稳定同位素δD、δ18O、87Sr/86Sr的工作原理,及水化学—稳定同位素技术在岩溶水文地质研究中的应用。此外,论文还以娘子关泉域和北京西山岩溶水系统为例,介绍了运用水化学—稳定同位素技术分析岩溶水系统补给的思路和方法,展望了该技术在岩溶水文地质和岩溶生态环境领域中的应用前景。     

Influence of precipitation on bacterial structure in a typical karst spring,SW China

Micro-organisms are major components in the environment, which play a key role in groundwater environment. This study aims to investigate the bacterial diversity over time in a typical karst spring named S31 and its response to hydrogeochemical parameters. Quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was adopted to detect changes of the bacterial community structure. For the correlations between hydrogeochemical parameters and predominant phyla, redundancy analysis were adopted. According to the results, hydrochemical characteristics were controlled by carbonate equilibrium system and dynamic groundwater transformation which was influenced distinctly by precipitation. In addition, the redundancy analysis indicates that HCO_3~-, Ca~(2+), Eh, temperature and cumulative precipitation are the most important hydrogeochemical and environmental parameters to determine the bacterial community structures. That is to say, temperature can influence bacterial abundance by controlling dissolved oxygen content. Precipitation is another important factor which determines the community composition and bacterial structure directly or indirectly. Moreover, acidobacteria, proteobacteria, and bacteroidetes play key roles in response to the environmental factors in the groundwater of karst zones.     

Characterization,modeling, and remediation of karst in a changing environment

This introductory editorial paper provides a review and prospective outlook of the achievements and challenges in karst research under a changing environment. A brief discussion of the past and future karst research has been focused on: (1) data and new technologies; (2) modeling of karst flow and reactive transport; (3) responses of karst hydrosystems to climate variability and changes across scales.     

Hydrogeological properties of a complex Dinaric karst catchment: Miljacka Spring case study

Miljacka is a karst spring situated in Dalmatia, Croatia. The interpretation of the Miljacka Spring catchment area boundary has repeatedly changed in the past, and the main conclusions of previous studies were that the spring, which is located in the Krka River canyon, receives all of its water from another karst river, Zrmanja. Here, we review a new hypothesis that the Miljacka Spring receives some of its water from the Krka River. It was not possible to verify the hypothesis by solely studying the geological composition, structural–tectonic relations and tracer test results. Therefore, a hydrochemical study was performed to confirm the hypothesis. By studying the geological composition, it was found that part of the catchment area of the Krka River is built of evaporites (gypsum and anhydrite), which are different in their mineral composition than carbonates, the usual rock mass of the Dinaric karst. The hydrochemical model was made using the NETPATH-WIN and PHREEQC software packages. The mixing model results confirmed the hypothesis that the Miljacka Spring waters come from both the Zrmanja (including smaller proportion of precipitation infiltrated directly in the karst aquifer) and Krka rivers. This case study shows the great importance of the application of hydrochemical investigations in karst hydrogeology, where research is often difficult due to the complexity of the groundwater system.     

Tank-reservoir drainage as a simulation of the recession limb of karst spring hydrographs

Drainage of a cylindrical water-filled tank-reservoir has been analysed by different physical models, providing relative discharge-time equations. The process has been simulated (1) in a condition of free-flow discharge, where no energy is lost during the process, and (2) where friction forces and water viscosity take effect. Simulation (1) is considered to be a Torricelli reservoir, characterised by a linear decrease of discharge; (2) is based on Darcy’s law or on Poiseuille’s law, where discharge decreases exponentially with time, giving a straight line in the semilogarithm plot. For the Darcy’s law simulation, the tank tube was filled with sand. The cylindrical water-filled tank-reservoir drainage analysis has been applied to simulation of the actual shape of karst spring hydrographs. It has been determined that the recession coefficient, α, is proportional to a hydraulic constant, c, which represents the hydraulic characteristics during the baseflow recession, and α is inversely proportional to the product of the water-table area with the effective porosity. This product expresses the area of the aquifer filled by free-flowing water along the water table and can vary during the aquifer drainage.     

Modeling hydrological responses of karst spring to storm events: example of the Shuifang spring (Jinfo Mt., Chongqing,China)

Reproduction of hydrographs at karst springs has been an approach of understanding the karst aquifer, which normally acts as drains for the groundwater flow. However, its numerical modeling is difficult since factors for the internal geometry and connectedness are unknown and hard to quantify. Hydrographs of the karst aquifer with well-developed conduits in Shuifang spring catchment were obtained from the automatic gauging station at the spring orifice. Data as to the conduit system were also obtained based on results and analyses of tracer tests. With these data, the hydrological responses of Shuifang spring to storm events were simulated by storm water management model (SWMM) developed by USA EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies are used to compare the computed flow to the observed, which are 0.95 and 0.92 for calibration and validation. SWMM was verified and applicable in karst conduit drainage system. The model illustrated correctly quick recharge through conduits and slow and low inflow from the fissured aquifer matrix. The SCS-CN (soil conservation service-curve number) infiltration method was used for computation of losses and runoff. Field tests indicated that permeability was extremely high but different in karst area, which was less sensitive to the computed runoff when exceeded the common value provided by SWMM. Therefore, an improved quantitative infiltration model for karst area will make SWMM possible to be a useful tool for assessing and reproducing spring hydrographs.     

北京西山岩溶水应急水源地水文地质特征及开采潜力分析

应急水源地位于北京西山四季青地区,取水层位为奥陶系含水层,属覆盖型水源地。奥陶系岩溶地下水水量大、水质优良,是保障北京供水安全的后备水源。本文在综合分析奥陶系岩溶地下水水文地质特征基础上,以群孔抽水试验为基础,采用相关分析法预测水位,从岩溶地下水的富水性、地下水流场、地下水资源方面分析岩溶水的开采潜力,确保在出现水源危机时,岩溶地下水能够作为后备水源地为城市供水。结果表明,岩溶地下水应急水源地岩溶裂隙发育,补给条件好,地下水径流强度大,水质优良,具有6万m3/d的开采潜力,即当水源地增加每日6万m3应急开采时,水位埋深预测值为52.94m,能够满足现有取水设备条件,且不会影响其它水源井的运行。      

Integrated methods and scenario development for urban groundwater management and protection during tunnel road construction: a case study of urban hydrogeology in the city of Basel,Switzerland

In the northwestern area of Basel, Switzerland, a tunnel highway connects the French highway A35 (Mulhouse–Basel) with the Swiss A2 (Basel–Gotthard–Milano). The subsurface highway construction was associated with significant impacts on the urban groundwater system. Parts of this area were formerly contaminated by industrial wastes, and groundwater resources are extensively used by industry. During some construction phases, considerable groundwater drawdown was necessary, leading to major changes in the groundwater flow regime. Sufficient groundwater supply for industrial users and possible groundwater pollution due to interactions with contaminated areas had to be taken into account. A groundwater management system is presented, comprising extensive groundwater monitoring, high-resolution numerical groundwater modeling, and the development and evaluation of different scenarios. This integrated approach facilitated the evaluation of the sum of impacts, and their interaction in time and space with changing hydrological boundary conditions. For all project phases, changes of the groundwater system had to be evaluated in terms of the various goals and requirements. Although the results of this study are case-specific, the overall conceptual approach and methodologies applied may be directly transferred to other urban areas.