The effect of the Messinian Deep Stage on karst development around the Mediterranean Sea. Examples from Southern France

It is difficult to explain the position and behaviour of the main karst springs of southern France without calling on a drop in the water table below those encountered at the lowest levels of Pleistocene glacio-eustatic fluctuations. The principal karst features around the Mediterranean are probably inherited from the Messinian period (“Salinity crisis”) when sea level dropped dramatically due to the closing of the Straight of Gibraltar and desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea. Important deep karst systems were formed because the regional ground water dropped and the main valleys were entrenched as canyons. Sea level rise during the Pliocene caused sedimentation in the Messinian canyons and water, under a low hydraulic head, entered the upper cave levels.

The powerful submarine spring of Port-Miou is located south of Marseille in a drowned canyon of the Calanques massif. The main water flow comes from a vertical shaft that extends to a depth of more than 147 m bsl. The close shelf margin comprises a submarine karst plateau cut by a deep canyon whose bottom reaches 1,000 m bsl. The canyon ends upstream in a pocket valley without relation to any important continental valley. This canyon was probably excavated by the underground paleoriver of Port-Miou during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Currently, seawater mixes with karst water at depth. The crisis also affected inland karst aquifers. The famous spring of Fontaine de Vaucluse was explored by a ROV (remote observation vehicle) to a depth of 308 m, 224 m below current sea level. Flutes observed on the wall of the shaft indicate the spring was formerly an air-filled shaft connected to a deep underground river flowing towards a deep valley. Outcroppings and seismic data confirm the presence of deep paleo-valleys filled with Pliocene sediments in the current Rhône and Durance valleys. In the Ardèche, several vauclusian springs may also be related to the Messinian Rhône canyon, located at about 200 m below present sea level. A Pliocene base level rise resulted in horizontal dry cave levels. In the hinterland of Gulf of Lion, the Cévennes karst margin was drained toward the hydrologic window opened by the Messinian erosional surface on the continental shelf.     

River–groundwater connectivity in a karst system,Wellington, New South Wales,Australia

The characterization of river–aquifer connectivity in karst environments is difficult due to the presence of conduits and caves. This work demonstrates how geophysical imaging combined with hydrogeological data can improve the conceptualization of surface-water and groundwater interactions in karst terrains. The objective of this study is to understand the association between the Bell River and karst-alluvial aquifer at Wellington, Australia. River and groundwater levels were continuously monitored, and electrical resistivity imaging and water quality surveys conducted. Two-dimensional resistivity imaging mapped the transition between the alluvium and karst. This is important for highlighting the proximity of the saturated alluvial sediments to the water-filled caves and conduits. In the unsaturated zone the resistivity imaging differentiated between air- and sediment-filled karst features, and in the saturated zone it mapped the location of possible water- and sediment-filled caves. Groundwater levels are dynamic and respond quickly to changes in the river stage, implying that there is a strong hydraulic connection, and that the river is losing and recharging the adjacent aquifer. Groundwater extractions (1,370 ML, megalitres, annually) from the alluvial aquifer can cause the groundwater level to fall by as much as 1.5 m in a year. However, when the Bell River flows after significant rainfall in the upper catchment, river-leakage rapidly recharges the alluvial and karst aquifers. This work demonstrates that in complex hydrogeological settings, the combined use of geophysical imaging, hydrograph analysis and geochemical measurements provide insights on the local karst hydrology and groundwater processes, which will enable better water-resource and karst management.     

焦作煤矿区岩溶水水位统计模型研究

针对研究区地下水系统结构等资料不完备,本文基于质量守恒原理和微积分原理,建立了地下水水位统计预测模型和水位延迟模型,并在焦作矿区得到验证。焦作矿区岩溶地下水对于降水响应结果表明,当延迟时间为10个月时,岩溶地下水水位与降水的相关系数最大,为0.83,而延时2个月和5个月时,相关系数分别只有0.71和0.78;模型观测孔水位预测结果表明,相关系数超过0.9的观测孔达60 %,相关系数超过0.8的观测孔则高达95 %;模型水位影响因素分析结果显示,在降雨、矿坑排水、地下水蒸发3个影响因素中,煤矿区岩溶地下水水位动态对降雨量响应最敏感,说明降雨量,尤其是长期稳定的补给量是地下水水位最主要的影响因素。该类模型适用性强,简易方便,有广阔的应用前景。      

云南省岩溶水赋存特征

云南省岩溶水赋存特征,从宏观到微观层面主要表现为:高原面上总体岩溶含水层的富水性比较均匀,其中的汇水型岩溶断陷盆地内,岩溶含水层特征等同于多孔介质。高原面边缘、河谷斜坡地带岩溶含水层的富水性极不均匀,其中在汇水—径流型岩溶断陷盆地内,上游部分富水性比较均匀,靠近下游转换带及其以下溶洞管道区富水性极不均匀。在一个完整的水文地质单元内,饱水带水位埋深基本接近集中排泄点的水位。通常,补给区实质上主要是透水层;径流区基本具备含水层的特征;排泄区方形成了名副其实的含水层。特定的微地貌组合形式,能够反映岩溶水的运动、赋存特征,应注意调查研究。      

永定河对北京西山岩溶水和玉泉山泉的影响

岩溶介质赋水各向异性使岩溶含水层具有不均一性和复杂性,增加了刻画地下水流场的难度和不确定性。为深入理解岩溶水系统不均一性,基于水化学和同位素数据研究了西山岩溶水系统补径排路径,为厘清岩溶水流场特征提供了新的依据。水化学和同位素证据表明西山岩溶区有3个补给源区:军庄、潭柘寺降水补给区和永定河渗漏补给区,每个补给区各自具有独立的径流通道。军庄补给区为降水和河水补给,降水补给向温泉-永丰屯方向径流;入渗河水补给沿永定河断裂向南东方向径流,在古城一带转向北东方向补给玉泉山泉。潭柘寺降水补给沿八宝山断裂北侧经回民公墓,八宝山朝四季青方向径流。自北而南可分为军庄-永丰屯径流带、永定河-香山径流带、潭柘寺-八宝山-四季青径流带。潭柘寺和永定河是西山岩溶水和重要补给源区,对玉泉山泉有直接影响。     

Reassessing the management of groundwater use from sandy aquifers: acidification and base cation depletion exacerbated by drought and groundwater withdrawal on the Gnangara Mound, Western Australia

The combined effects of low rainfall, groundwater withdrawal in excess of 300 GL/year and reduced recharge in areas covered by pine plantations has caused the water table in a sandy unconfined aquifer on the Gnangara Mound in Western Australia to drop by up to 5 m and aquifer storage to decline by about 500 GL over the last 20 years. Groundwater has become acidic in areas of high drawdown, with pH values typically being less than 5.0 at the water table, and elevated concentrations of SO₄ ^2?, Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb. Trends of increasing acidity and base cation concentrations in deep water supply wells in the Mirrabooka wellfield indicate that about 0.7 keq/ha/year of base cations are being leached from soil within cones of depression of pumping wells. These results indicate that the assessment of the sustainable yields of aquifers under conditions of low rainfall needs to consider geochemical interactions between groundwater, aquifer sediments, soils and vegetation, and not be just based on aquifer hydraulics and water-balance changes.     

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.     

北京西山泉域岩溶水系统特征探讨

北京西山地区岩溶地下水主要以相对独立的岩溶地下水系统进行循环,其水文地质条件、系统结构模式及其水资源的重要性等,在北方具有代表性。文章主要以北京西山鱼谷洞泉域岩溶水系统、黑龙关泉域岩溶水系统、玉泉山泉域岩溶水系统为研究对象,从岩溶含水层结构、地下水循环、地质构造等方面,总结出北京西山泉域岩溶水系统特征主要为:双层含水层结构、多个子系统构成且多点排泄、系统内岩溶水转化关系复杂多样、岩溶水富集带及系统边界集中在逆冲断层处。      

煤炭开采后峰峰矿区奥陶系岩溶水硫酸盐演化过程研究

文章运用水化学和同位素水文学等手段,寻求奥陶系岩溶水硫酸盐演化过程的“指纹”,通过不同含水层间水化学、稳定同位素差异的比对,分析其与上覆含水层间的水力联系和硫动力分馏过程,阐述采矿活动影响下峰峰矿区奥陶系岩溶水硫酸盐的演化过程。研究结果表明:煤矿开采后,峰峰矿区奥陶系岩溶水硫酸盐含量普遍增高,演化特征呈现多样性,存在多种硫动力分馏过程。分馏动力主要来自矿坑水和孔隙水通过导水裂隙的渗漏（越流）补给,以及脱白云石化过程中自身蒸发岩矿物（石膏）的溶解。      

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.     

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。     

基于MODFLOW-CFP的岩溶水模型降雨非线性入渗补给研究——以湖南省香花岭地区为例

利用MODFLOW-CFP建立湖南省香花岭渗流-管道流耦合模型,并使用降雨量系数法实现非线性入渗过程,以探讨此方法在模型中的适用性。通过人工试错反演参数,得出6个不同降雨强度区间的降雨量系数;非线性入渗处理后,地下河流量模拟结果的纳什系数提高至0.91。结果表明:降雨量系数法可使该模型更好地模拟地下河流量变化,此方法也适用于一些岩溶小流域的数值模拟工作。      

矿区深部含水层水-岩作用的同位素与水化学示踪分析

为了有效揭示华北隐伏型煤矿区煤炭开采进程中深部含水层水-岩作用机制,本文以淮北煤田宿县-临涣矿区为研究示范,收集与采集1985～2011年期间矿区松散层第四含水层、煤系砂岩裂隙含水层、石炭系太原组岩溶含水层与奥陶系岩溶含水层深部地下水样166个,分析与测试87Sr/86Sr、34S、13C同位素以及Na++K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO-3、Cl-、SO2-4、CO2-3等常规组分,并开展基于同位素与水化学的水-岩作用示踪与分析。研究成果表明:在矿区主要充水含水层中,煤系砂岩裂隙含水层脱硫酸与阳离子交替吸附作用最为显著,而松散层第四含水层、石炭系太原组岩溶含水层与奥陶系岩溶含水层黄铁矿氧化或地下水硬化最为显著;受煤炭开采影响,煤系砂岩裂隙含水层、奥陶系岩溶含水层主要水-岩作用逐渐减弱,松散层第四含水层、石炭系太原组岩溶含水层主要水-岩作用或增强、或减弱,增强或减弱的程度取决于井田基岩面标高、主要断层的展布形态与隔水性能以及煤层开采扰动范围等。     

The comparison of hydrodynamic characteristics of karst aquifers: application on two karst formations in Zagros (Asmari and Ilam-Sarvak), southwest Iran

In order to study the function, hydrodynamic behavior, and hydraulic properties of the karst aquifers in Izeh, southwest Iran, time series analysis was applied to the precipitation, spring discharge, and piezometric head data of two representative karst systems of Zagros (Ilam-Sarvak and Asmari Formations). Time series analysis was applied to two karst aquifers, those of Asmari and Ilam-Sarvak Formations. The daily precipitations of anticlines were estimated based on the precipitation–elevation function which was applied on digital elevation model (DEM) of the area. The mean estimated daily precipitations were considered in bivariate time series analysis as input data of each karst system. The total length of time series was about 2.7 years, extending from May 2007 to December 2009. During the research, several one-parameter probe data loggers were installed, which daily measure the water surfaces in karst aquifers. Time series analysis was applied for describing Izeh karst aquifers with a focus on both univariate (autocorrelation and spectral analysis) and bivariate (cross-correlation, gain function, and coherency function) methods. The results show that Asmari karst aquifer in Kamarderaz Anticline has a large storage capacity. Because of lacking a well-organized karst network, in the Asmari karst aquifer, baseflow dominates with low contribution of quick-flow. In the Ilam-Sarvak karst aquifer (Shavish and Tanush Anticlines), the karstification occurred in fractures and small diameter conduits, which caused to quick-flow between dense limestone. The Ilam-Sarvak karst aquifer could be regarded as a transition between two extreme types of karst, e.g., highly karstified system and in the opposite, extremely diffused one. The analysis of well hydrograph in Ilam-Sarvak karst aquifer shows that the karst aquifer has a low storage capacity. Unlike Asmari karst aquifer, the fractures and small diameter conduits in Ilam-Sarvak karst aquifer are more enhanced, producing a better developed karst network. Contrary to the typical karst systems, however, diffuse flow and conduit flow coexist in the Asmari Formation.     

Flash flood mitigation as a positive consequence of anthropogenic forcing on the groundwater resource in a karst catchment

The Mediterranean coastal region is prone to high-intensity rainfall events that are frequently associated with devastating flash floods. This paper discusses the role of a karst aquifer system in the flash floods of a Mediterranean river, the Lez river. Most of the Lez river watershed is located on karst terrains where interactions between surface water and groundwater take place. During extreme rainfall events, the presence of fractures and well-developed karst features in carbonate terrains enhances the infiltration processes and involves the concentration of the recharge into highly organized and permeable flow paths. The groundwater, therefore, quickly moves towards the natural outlets of the karst system. The influence of the Lez karst aquifer system on the associated river floods dynamics is analysed while considering the spatially distributed rainfall, as well as the time series of the groundwater level within the aquifer and of the Lez river discharge measured at various gauging stations. Special attention is given to the relative importance of the surface and underground processes involved in flash flood genesis. It is shown that the karst groundwater contributes to flash floods under certain conditions, while high-rate pumping within the karst aquifer, which generates significant drawdown, may mitigate flash floods under other conditions.     

Using impacts of deep-level mining to research karst hydrology—a Darcy-based approach to predict the future of dried-up dolomitic springs in the Far West Rand goldfield (South Africa). Part 2: predicting inter-compartmental flow and final groundwater tables

Some of the world’s deepest goldmines operate below dolomitic karst aquifers in the Far West Rand (FWR) goldfield, South Africa. Associated impacts include the continuous dewatering of karst aquifers for over six decades and irreversible changes of the hydrogeological setting. Affecting an area of approximately 400 km² by drawing down the water table up to 700 m, these impacts, and the large amounts of data generated in the process, are used as unique research opportunities to better understand the complex karst hydrology. The focus of this study is on predicting final water table elevations in rewatered aquifers after mining ceases taking the fact that mines hydraulically linked previously disconnected aquifers into account. While part 1 of this series develops the conceptual model, this second part utilises large sets of pertinent data to calculate actual flow rates for predicting the fate of dried up springs after mine closure. Following a Darcy-based approach first applied by Swart et al. (Environ Geol 44:751–770, 2003a) it is not only predicted that the springs will flow again but also shown that linear relationships exist between flow rates through a combined system of karst-fractured aquifers overlying the mine void and the associated hydraulic head driving them. This suggests that—at this scale—porous media-based equations can be meaningfully used to predict flow in non-porous media.     

地下水位下降对井壁破坏的影响

淮北某些矿区井筒变形、破坏严重,其主要诱发因素是下含水层水位下降而产生的附加应力。运用[2D-σ]软件进行了数值模拟认为:由于地下水位下降,地层与井筒发生相对位移而产生剪应力,其大小与水位降深和相对位移成正比;轴向应力随深度变化小,而随下含水层水位下降而增大;井壁破坏首先发生在其内缘,并逐渐向外扩展,破坏度沿深度方向增大;一含和下含同时有水位降时,轴向应力和剪应力的变化与单一含水层水位下降时相似,但轴向应力变化幅度明显增大,剪应力在上部含水层处增加。模拟计算分析结果与淮北地区井壁变形、破坏情况大体一致。      

Test methods for characterizing contaminant transport in a glaciated carbonate aquifer

It is widely recognized that karstification can substantially influence flow and transport characteristics in carbonate aquifers. Surface features such as sinkholes are widely used to diagnose the presence of a karst aquifer, but specific borehole tests for karst have not been well defined. Such tests are especially important in glaciated areas where karst features have been eroded or buried by till. One such area is Smithville, Ontario, where more than 60 boreholes at a PCB-contaminated dolostone site provided an opportunity for a wide range of downhole tests and monitoring to be carried out. It was found that there were a number of useful tests for indicating karstification. These included (1) the order of magnitude differences between pump, slug and packer test results, (2) the presence of water table troughs, (3) rapid water level response following recharge events, (4) the rapid changes in water quality following recharge events, (5) water undersaturated with respect to calcite following recharge events, and (6) a wide range in fracture apertures along major bedding planes. Most parameters vary over a similar range at Smithville as they do at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, indicating that the Smithville aquifer behaves as a typical karst aquifer.     

Recharge of the plio-quaternary water table aquifer in Tunisian chotts region estimated from stable isotopes

The hydrodynamic groundwater data and stable isotopes of water have been used jointly for better understanding of upward leakage and mixing processes in the Djerid aquifer system (southwestern Tunisia). The aquifer system is composed of the upper unconfined Plio-Quaternary (PQ) aquifer, the intermediate (semi-)confined Complex Terminal (CT) aquifer and the deeper confined Continental Intercalaire (CI) aquifer. A total of 41 groundwater samples from the CT and PQ aquifers were collected during June 2001. The stable isotope composition of waters establishes that the CT deep groundwater (depleted as compared to present Nefta local rainfall) is ancient water recharged during late Quaternary time. The relatively recent water in the shallow PQ aquifer is composed of mixed water resulting from upward leakage and sporadic meteoric recharge. In order to characterize the meteoric input signal for PQ in the study area, rainfall water samples were collected during 4 years (2000–2003) at the Nefta meteorological station. Weighted mean values of isotopic contents with respect to rainfall amounts have been computed. Despite the short collection period in the study area, results agree with those found in Beni Abbes (southwestern Algerian Sahara) by Fontes on 9 years of rainfall surveillance. Stable isotopic relationships provide clear evidence of shallow PQ aquifer replenishment by deep CT groundwater. The ¹⁸O/upward leakage rate allowed the identification of distinctive PQ waters related to CT aquifer configuration (confined in the western part of the study area, semi-permeable in the eastern part). These trends were confirmed by the relation ¹⁸O/TDS. The isotope balance model indicated a contribution of up to 75% of the deep CT groundwater to the upper PQ aquifer in the western study area, between Nefta and Hazoua.     

岩溶石山区山坡表层径流水文动态特征对比分析——以桂林丫吉试验场为例

选择桂林丫吉试验场溶洞—硝岩洞及其上方的汇水坡面作为研究区,通过在不同降雨条件下,对坡面径流和硝盐洞中流水水文动态进行监测并做对比分析研究。结果表明:（1）降雨强度、降雨持续时间和各含水系统前期含水情况决定了岩溶石山区坡面地表和包气带水文动态变化过程;（2）在不同降雨条件下,地表坡面流和经过上部包气带调蓄过的硝盐洞水文动态都表现为暴涨暴落,坡面径流表现的更为明显,一般坡面径流的整个水文过程持续几个小时到十几个小时,而硝盐洞中流水水文过程持续13d;（3）一般大到暴雨条件下,坡面流最大流量大于硝盐洞,但由于持续时间短,其一场降雨后所获得的水量远不如下渗到包气带—硝盐洞中滴水水量。