2012—2013年重庆雪玉洞洞穴系统碳循环特征

重庆雪玉洞洞内CO₂浓度之高,在国内外皆罕见,但此洞穴系统碳循环特征及控制因素仍不清楚.利用土壤二氧化碳分压(P_CO2-soil)、洞内大气二氧化碳分压(P_CO2-cave)、地下河水二氧化碳分压(P_CO2-eq)、方解石饱和指数(SIc)、地下河水溶解无机碳同位素(δ13C_DIC)等指标来研究雪玉洞洞内CO₂浓度变化、控制因素以及地下河对洞内碳循环的影响.结果表明:雪玉洞上覆P_CO2-soil雨季高,旱季低;降雨量是控制上覆P_CO2-soil的重要因子.雪玉洞P_CO2-cave变化规律明显,暖季高,冷季低;温度变化导致洞内外气流频繁交换是P_CO2-cave突变的重要原因,地下河水CO₂脱气能够在短时间内让P_CO2-cave上升到较高值.雨季由于土壤CO₂效应,地下河水具有低SIc、高P_CO2-eq特性,矿化度较高,并且部分月份地下河水具有溶蚀性;旱季由于土壤CO₂效应及降雨较少,地下河水呈现高SIc、低P_CO2-eq特性,矿化度较低,以沉积为主.      

Salinisation des nappes côtières : cas de la nappe nord du Sahel de Sfax,Tunisie

The intensive agricultural and economic activities induce the increase of the risk of groundwater quality degradation through high groundwater pumping rates. The salinization and contamination are the main sources of this pollution, especially in coastal aquifers. The explanation of the origin of salinity for the shallow aquifer of Northern Sahel of Sfax was analysed by a chemical study of the groundwater main compounds. The partitioning of groundwaters into homogenous groups is undertaken by graphical techniques, including a Stiff pattern diagram, an expanded Durov diagram and several binary diagrams. The study indicates the presence of various salinization processes. In the recharge area, salinization is the result of dissolution/precipitation of the aquifer formation material (group I). The irrigation water return and the intensive pumping have been identified as major sources of salinization in the south by direct cation exchange and mixing reactions (groups II and III). The anomaly of high groundwater salinity observed near the Hazeg zone was explained by the presence of a seawater intrusion in this area. This hypothesis is related to the high chloride concentration, to the presence of inverse cation exchange reactions (group IV), and to the piezometric level inferior to sea level. To cite this article: R. Trabelsi et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Distribution and evolution features of salinized soil in Hebei Plain

In order to study the distribution and evolution features of saline soil, the correlations between the groundwater depth, salinity and salinization of soil are examined through analyzing the hydrometeorological data and distribution maps of saline soil, groundwater depth and salinity in 1957 and 2005. The results show that the area of salinization has generally decreased. The area of salinization decreases with the increasing groundwater depth, and the dynamic evolution characteristics appeared between the groundwater depth and area of salinization. The area of heavy salinization is greatest when the groundwater salinity is > 5 g/L, the area of moderate salinization is greatest when the groundwater salinity is between 2-5 g/L, the area of light salinization is greatest when the groundwater salinity is 1-2 g/L and the area of non-salinization is greatest when the groundwater salinity is <1 g/L. The area of heavy salinization was characterized with groundwater depth <2.5 m and salinity >1.8 g/L. The area of non-salinization was characterized with groundwater depth >4.0 m and salinity 0.2-1.5 g/L.     

Formation mechanism of large sinkhole collapses in Laibin,Guangxi, China

On June 3, 2010, a series of karst sinkholes occurred at Jili village surrounded by Gui-Bei highway, Wu-Ping highway and Nan-Liu High-Speed Railway in Laibin, Guangxi, China. The straight-line distances from an large sinkhole pit, 85 m in diameter and 38 m in depth, to the above mainlines are 200, 600 and 500 m, respectively. Several investigation methods including geophysical technology, borehole and well drilling, groundwater elevation survey and hydrochemistry analysis of groundwater were used to study the formation mechanisms of these sinkholes. Based on the results, the spatial distribution of the Jili underground river was confirmed with a strike of SN along the middle Carboniferous limestone bedrock and the Quaternary deposits controlled the sinkhole formation. In addition, both historical sinkhole events and analysis of the groundwater–air pressure monitoring data installed in the underlying karst conduit system indicate that sinkholes in this area are more likely induced by extreme weather conditions within typical karst geological settings. Extreme weather conditions in the study area before the sinkhole collapses consisted of a year-long drought followed by continuous precipitation with a daily maximum precipitation of 442 mm between May 31 and June 1, 2010. Typical geological conditions include the Jili underground river overlain by the Quaternary overburden with thick clayey rubble. Especially in the recharge zone of the underground river, a stabilized shallow water table was formed in response to the extreme rainstorm because of the presence of the thick clayey rubble. When the underground conduit was flooded through the cave entrance on the surface, air blasting may have caused the cave roof collapse followed by formation of soil cavities and surface collapses. Borehole monitoring results of the groundwater–air pressure monitoring show that the potential karst sinkhole can pose threats to Shanbei village, the High-Speed Railway and the Wu-Ping highway. Local government needs to be aware of any early indicators of this geohazard so that devastating sinkholes can be prevented in the future. The results also suggest that groundwater–air pressure monitoring data collected both the Quaternary deposits and the bedrock karst system provide useful indicators for potential sinkhole collapses in similar karst areas where sinkholes usually occur during rainy season or karst groundwater level is always under the rockhead.     

河套灌区西部浅层地下水咸化机制

浅层地下水水位埋深浅、含盐量高,是导致河套灌区土壤次生盐渍化的重要原因.以河套灌区西部地区为研究区,通过对浅层地下水的水化学和氢氧同位素特征分析以及水文地球化学模拟,探讨了灌区浅层地下水的补给来源和主控水-岩作用过程,并定量估算了蒸发作用对浅层地下水含盐量的影响.研究区内浅层地下水为弱碱性咸水,pH为7.23~8.45,总溶解性固体（total dissolved solids,TDS）变化范围为371~7 599 mg/L;随着地下水咸化程度增大,水化学类型由HCO₃-Na·Mg·Ca型向Cl-Na型过渡.引黄灌溉和大气降水是浅层地下水的主要补给来源,径流过程中浅层地下水受蒸发作用和植物蒸腾作用影响,地下水化学组分主要来源于蒸发盐溶解和硅酸盐风化水解,并受强烈的蒸发作用和离子交换作用影响.水文地球化学模拟和主成分分析结果显示,蒸发作用和岩盐溶解作用对区内浅层地下水咸化贡献最大,石膏和白云石等矿物的溶解、硅酸盐的水解、Na-Ca离子交换以及局部地形起伏对地下水咸化过程也有较大贡献.      

Hydrochemistry in coastal aquifer of southwest Bangladesh: origin of salinity

In the coastal region of Bangladesh, groundwater is mainly used for domestic and agricultural purposes, but salinization of many groundwater resources limits its suitability for human consumption and practical application. This paper reports the results of a study that has mapped the salinity distribution in different aquifer layers up to a depth of 300 m in a region bordering the Bay of Bengal based on the main hydrochemistry and has investigated the origin of the salinity using Cl/Br ratios of the samples. The subsurface consists of a sequence of deltaic sediments with an alternation of more sandy and clayey sections in which several aquifer layers can be recognized. The main hydrochemistry shows different main water types in the different aquifers, indicating varying stages of freshening or salinization processes. The most freshwater, soft NaHCO₃-type water with Cl concentrations mostly below 100 mg/l, is found in the deepest aquifer at 200–300 m below ground level (b.g.l.), in which the fresh/saltwater interface is pushed far to the south. Salinity is a main problem in the shallow aquifer systems, where Cl concentrations rise to nearly 8000 mg/l and the groundwater is mostly brackish NaCl water. Investigation of the Cl/Br ratios has shown that the source of the salinity in the deep aquifer is mixing with old connate seawater and that the saline waters in the more shallow aquifers do not originate from old connate water or direct seawater intrusion, but are derived from the dissolution of evaporite salts. These must have been formed in a tidal flat under influence of a strong seasonal precipitation pattern. Long dry seasons with high evaporation rates have evaporated seawater from inundated gullies and depressions, leading to salt precipitation, while subsequent heavy monsoon rains have dissolved the formed salts, and the solution has infiltrated in the subsoil, recharging groundwater.     

海原盆地地下水咸化特征和控制因素

地下水是海原盆地唯一的供水水源,近年来部分地区地下水溶解性总固体(TDS)增高,引起了有关部门和水文地质工作者的高度关注。通过分析69组地下水样品的水化学和氢氧稳定同位素数据,对地下水补给来源和咸化的水文地球化学过程进行了研究。结果表明:地下水TDS值198.2~6 436.4 mg/L,沿着地下水流向,咸化程度增加,水化学类型从基岩区的HCO3—Ca·Mg型演化至滞留—排泄区的SO4·Cl—Na·Mg型。地下水补给来源主要为大气降雨和基岩裂隙水侧向径流,补给源—对地下水咸化贡献较小。溶滤作用具空间差异,基岩区和补给区以碳酸盐、硅酸盐风化为主,径流区和滞留—排泄区则为蒸发岩风化,硫酸盐是地下水中阳离子的主要来源。补给水、溶滤和蒸发对第四系地下水TDS的贡献比率分别为4.8%~81.2%、11.9% ~85.9%、1.7%~29.5%,溶滤作用是控制海原盆地地下水咸化的首要因素。当地有关部门应加大对基岩泉水的综合利用,同时注意控制海原县和西安镇等地区地下水开采量,防止地下水进一步咸化。另外,在微咸水分布区可引进地下水去除硫酸盐技术,提高微咸水利用程度。     

山东黄河北矿区土壤盐渍化特征分析

为了研究黄河北矿区土壤盐渍化现状及特征,采用野外调查、钻探、现场采样和室内分析测试等手段获取了土壤盐分含量和地下水特征数据,分析了区内土壤盐分含量、空间分布、垂向变化及与浅层地下水的相互关系。结果显示,研究区土壤主要以潜在盐渍土和轻度盐渍土为主,土壤盐分中阴离子以重碳酸根和硫酸根离子为主,阳离子以钠和钙离子为主。土壤垂向上显示表聚性（0～20 cm）,表层盐渍化严重,深部盐渍化程度有所降低。研究区土壤盐渍土与浅层地下水存在内在的自然的直接关系,土壤全盐量与地下水中溶解性总固体(TDS)含量呈明显正相关关系,而与浅层地下水位埋深呈负相关关系。研究区煤炭的开发利用,将加剧和恶化土壤盐渍化程度,煤炭的开采需要合理确定地表塌陷的程度,以此来倒逼煤炭的开采开发模式,从而减缓土壤盐渍化程度。     

Assessment of soil salinization based on a low-cost method and its influencing factors in a semi-arid agricultural area,northwest China

An investigation of soil salinization was carried out in the Nanshantaizi area (Northwest China) with WET Sensor. This device can measure such soil parameters as bulk soil electrical conductivity, water content, and the pore water electrical conductivity that are important for soil salinization assessments. A distribution map of soil salinization was produced, and the factors influencing soil salinization and its processes were discussed in detail. The study shows that moderately salinized to salt soils are mainly observed in the alluvial plain, where groundwater level is high and lateral recharge water contains high salinity. Nanshantaizi is covered by slightly salinized soils. The soil salinization distribution estimated by WET Sensor is generally consistent with the actual levels of salinization. Soil salinity in Nanshantaizi is mostly of natural origin and accumulated salts could leach to deeper soils or aquifers by water percolation during irrigation. Groundwater evaporation, groundwater level depth and quality of recharge water are important factors influencing soil salinization in the alluvial plain.     

Hydrochemical and statistical studies of the groundwater salinization in Mediterranean arid zones: case of the Jerba coastal aquifer in southeast Tunisia

Coastal aquifers are considered as major sources for freshwater supply worldwide, especially in arid zones. The weak rainfall as well as the intensive extraction of groundwater from coastal aquifers reduce freshwater budget and create local water aquifer depression, causing both seawater intrusion and a threat to groundwater. This phenomenon was observed in the Jerba Island which is located in southeast Tunisia. Jerba??s unconfined aquifer shows high values of groundwater salinity reaching, locally, 17?g/l and a strong contrast between some zones of the aquifer. High pumping rates and weak recharge disturb the natural equilibrium between fresh and saline water causing water salinization in most areas of the island. This study aims at establishing the salinity map of the aquifer and identifying the origin of groundwater salinization. The salinity map shows that zones characterized by low groundwater salinity are located in the center of the study area. High groundwater salinities are observed near the coast and in some parts having low topographic and piezometric levels. Groundwater geochemical characterization, and Br/Cl and Na/Cl ratios suggest that the origin of abnormal salinity is seawater intrusion. Considering groundwater salinity values and Br concentrations, a seawater intrusion map is established. It shows that many areas of the unconfined aquifer are contaminated by mixed groundwater and seawater. The statistical analysis demonstrates that high mineralization of the groundwater is due to gypsum and carbonate dissolution coupled with the mixed groundwater and seawater in many areas.     

利用TDS和δ18O确定溶滤和蒸发作用对内陆干旱区地下水咸化贡献的一种方法

溶滤和蒸发作用是内陆干旱盆地平原区松散沉积层地下水咸化的主要原因。地下水的TDS直接表达了其咸化程度,δ18O值的变化主要受蒸发作用影响。在地下水TDS-δ18O关系图中,以各样点为起点,做蒸发线的平行线,与溶滤线交于c点,则c点两侧的a段和b段分别代表溶滤和蒸发作用对该样品的咸化贡献。 a=(TDS3-TDS1-b)/(TDS3-TDS1)×100%,b=k(δ18O3-δ 18O1)/(TDS3-TDS1)×100%。该方法应用于塔克拉玛干沙漠地下水咸化特征的分析,证明虽气候干旱,蒸发作用强烈,但地下水的咸化仍以溶滤作用为主。     

重庆丰都雪玉洞群洞穴现代监测与古环境研究回顾和展望

重庆丰都雪玉洞群包括羊子洞、雪玉洞和水鸣洞,西南大学的研究团队从2008年开始对雪玉洞群开展了系统的现代过程监测,以了解洞穴系统气候和环境信息的传输、转化和记录过程。通过对雪玉洞洞穴内外的大气、植被、土壤、基岩、滴水和洞穴沉积物等的动态监测,研究了碳酸盐沉积过程的水化学指标变化,揭示了现代洞穴滴水的影响因素和变化过程,以及碳酸盐沉积物对现代气候环境变化的响应,也为古气候的定量化研究提供了基础支撑。现代过程监测记录表明:雪玉洞CO₂主要来源于上覆土壤,其季节变化受降水的影响较大;在短时间尺度上受到游客旅游活动的影响明显,但幅度远远小于自然过程引起的变化。雪玉洞内次生沉积物的沉积速率具有明显的旱季、雨季特征,不同滴水点下方沉积物的沉积速率变化较大。雪玉洞群三个洞穴的石笋古环境记录研究表明,本区石笋的230Th/232Th比值较适合高精度铀系测年;部分石笋沉积速率较快,平均沉积速率达到0.25 mm·a?1,可以开展高分辨率的气候和环境变化研究。羊子洞YZ1石笋的年龄范围在116~3 ka B.P.之间（平均测年精度2σ,269年）,覆盖了整个末次冰期,δ18O和δ13C的变化曲线和东亚季风区的其他记录具有明显的一致性。同位素测试的时间分辨率平均为88年,成功记录了一些百年－千年尺度的气候突变事件,如Heinrich事件、7.2 ka事件、小冰期等。在精确年代学的基础上,雪玉洞群石笋具有重建高分辨率气候环境变化的潜力。      

Salinization in coastal aquifers of arid zones: an example from Santo Domingo,Baja California Sur,Mexico

Groundwater quality in the Santo Domingo Irrigation District area in Baja California Sur, Mexico, indicates the presence of various salinization processes, (1) the geological matter of marine origin comprising the aquifer material suffers diagenetic effects due to its interaction with groundwater of low salinity, (2) the effects of intensive agriculture practices produce effluents that infiltrate to the saturated zone, and (3) the extraction of groundwater causes modifications in the natural flow system induces lateral flow of seawater from the coast line. However, groundwater management has been carried out with the belief that the latter is the main source of salinization. This has resulted in a policy of installing wells increasingly far from the coast, which is not solving the problem. Irrigation-return and seawater that remains in the geological units have been identified as major sources of salinization. Controls should be imposed when installing wells in contact with clayey units that form the base of the aquifer. Extracted groundwater consists of a mixture of (1) groundwater of relatively low salinity that circulates in the aquifer and (2) an extreme member with salinity different to seawater contained mainly in formations that have low permeability, which limits the aquifer underneath. The geochemistry of carbonates and cation-exchange reactions (both direct and reverse) control the concentration of Ca, Mg, Na, and HCO₃, as well as pH values. The concentrations of dissolved trace elements (F, Li, Ba, Sr) suggest that the extreme saline member is different from the average seawater composition. A distinction between the salinization caused by farming practices and that blamed on seawater is defined by the use of NO₃.     

Effect of the 1997–1998 ENSO-related drought on hydrology and salinity in a micronesian wetland complex

The potential effects of global climate change on coastal ecosystems have attracted considerable attention, but the impacts of shorter-term climate perturbations such as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) are lesser known. In this study, we determined the effects of the 1997–1998 ENSO-related drought on the hydrology and salinity of a Micronesian mangrove ecosystem and an adjacent freshwater swamp. A network of 9 piezometer clusters installed at the study site served as sampling points for continuous and manual measurements of salinity and water level. During the drought period from January through April 1998, mean water table levels in the mangroves and freshwater swamp were approximately 12 and 54 cm lower, respectively, than during May through December when precipitation returned to near normal levels. At the peak of the drought (February 1998), the most dramatic result was a reversal in groundwater flow that sent groundwater from the mangroves upstream toward the freshwater swamp. Flow nets constructed for this period and immediately after illustrate the strong hydrological linkage between the two systems. This linkage was also illustrated by measurements of groundwater salinity in the piezometer network. Ninety-six percent of the salinity measurements taken in the mangroves during the study were at least 10‰ less than the salinity of sea water, indicating that the mangroves were consistently receiving freshwater flows. An analysis of variance of groundwater salinity measurements during and after the drought showed that salinity levels in the 0.5 and 1.0 m depth piezometers were greater during than after the drought. In a comparison of salinity values in 0.5-m wells during low tide, mean salinity was approximately twice as high during the drought than after (14.7‰ versus 6.2‰, respectively). This study demonstrates that short-term climate perturbations such as ENSO can disrupt important coastal processes. Over repeated drought cycles, such perturbations have the potential to affect the structure and function of mangrove forests and upstream ecosystems.     

宁夏清水河上游浅层地下水咸化作用研究

认识干旱区地下咸水的形成机制对水资源管理和规划具有重要意义。在宁夏清水河平原上游采集52组浅层地下水化学样品和8组易溶盐样品,分析了地下水咸化的水文地球化学作用,利用元素质量平衡法计算了各作用对地下水盐分的贡献比率。结果表明：沿径流方向,地下水咸化程度呈增加趋势。咸化作用主要为岩石风化,并具空间分异,在补给区以碳酸盐风化为主,在强径流区硫酸盐风化占优,在弱径流区硫酸盐和岩盐风化共同提供了68%～93%的盐量。随着地下水TDS增加,蒸发岩贡献比率上升,碳酸盐和硅酸盐贡献比率下降。蒸发岩风化是导致浅层地下水咸化的首要因素。     

An integrated study on the characterization of freshwater lens in a coastal aquifer of Southern India

The hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater helps to assess the trend of salinization and freshening of the groundwater. The present study was carried out to understand the lateral and vertical variation of groundwater salinity and the process of salinization and freshening of the groundwater in a coastal aquifer comprising a freshwater lens. The partially isolated unconfined aquifer selected for the present study is lying just south of the Chennai City, one of the densely populated cities on the east coast of South India. Critical problems affecting this aquifer include a thin aquifer which is connected/surrounded by saltwater on all the sides, overexploitation of the groundwater, surface impermeabilization due to increasing residential areas, and destruction of existing dune morphology by conversion of barren land to the residential area which causes a reduction in their barrier effect to seawater intrusion. The process of salinization and freshening of the groundwater was studied and monitored by using electrical resistivity survey and hydrogeochemical analysis. The vertical electrical sounding was carried out at 17 locations, and 400 water samples were collected and analyzed from 50 locations during the period from August 2008 to May 2010 for this study. The apparent resistivity values were analyzed and compared with groundwater quality to demarcate the zone of seawater intrusion. The regional flow direction of the groundwater is westward and eastward with respect to the central stretch and groundwater level ranges from 4.96 m MSL at the dune morphology to 0 m MSL along the boundary on all the sides. Base exchange index indicates that salinization trend in the northern part of the study area is due to the extensive groundwater pumping which increases the possibility of seawater intrusion. The increase of base exchange index towards southern part indicates a better groundwater quality of the aquifer due to proper land use practices. A strong trend of quality alteration is clearly visible from the base exchange index in response to the seasonal change between monsoon and dry season. In the western side, the monsoonal variation in the salinization and freshening of the groundwater was not noticed; however, the salinity is slightly higher than freshwater due to the presence of clay.     

岩溶洞穴内气候环境因子关系分析——以贵州省织金洞为例

织金洞为旅游洞穴,且洞内竖井以及裂隙较多,洞内封闭环境较差,因此随着洞外大气环境的变化和游客量的波动,存在夏秋两季洞内CO2浓度、湿度均高于冬春两季的现象。2015年1月至2016年1月经对织金洞内CO2浓度、气压、气温、湿度等气候环境数据进行相关性统计分析得出:夏秋两季气温与CO2浓度呈现负相关,相关系数r分别为-0.728 76和-0.656 16,冬春两季则呈正相关,两季CO2浓度与气温的相关系数r分别达0.854 52和0.938 46;洞内气候环境因子除湿度与温度的关系外,各环境因子间在SINE函数基础上拟合度较高,拟合度大部分处于0.6～0.8之间。洞内各气候环境因子的关系,经分析认为可能由于洞内外气流交换状况的季节性变化以及外界大气降水、洞内水量、上覆土壤CO2、游客量、照明设施等因素共同影响所致。      

神农宫和祥龙洞洞温季节变化特征及其对石笋氧同位素组成的可能影响

通过对江西万年县神农宫和陕西宁强县祥龙洞两个洞穴内、外温度连续19个月的同步监测以了解不同时间尺度下洞穴温度变化特征。结果显示神农宫及祥龙洞洞内温度存在明显的季节性变化:（1）神农宫夏秋季洞内温度在小时-日尺度上受到降水事件的影响显著,洞内夏秋季温度波动明显高于冬春季。祥龙洞监测点所处支洞环境相对封闭,温度波动在冬春季大于夏秋季,且全年洞温变幅小于神农宫。（2）旬—季节尺度的洞温数据显示,一个完整水文年内,神农宫两个监测点SN1、SN2的温度变幅分别达到4.8 ℃和4.6 ℃,祥龙洞达到3.2 ℃。（3）两个洞穴洞内温度响应洞外气温的变化都存在滞后性,且冬春季滞后大于夏秋季,可能受深部围岩温度相对偏高、空气和围岩热导率的季节变化以及降水季节差异的影响。最后,针对洞温存在较大季节变化的洞穴讨论了不同沉积模式下洞穴温度变化对石笋氧同位素组成18O的可能影响。认为此类洞穴某一时期石笋δ18O出现较大幅度偏正或偏负不一定反映了外界气候的大幅变化,也可能仅仅是由于洞穴沉积条件发生改变而造成的。      

重庆芙蓉洞洞穴水DIC-δ13C的变化特征及影响因素

为了研究芙蓉洞滴水和池水中溶解无机碳碳同位素(DICδ13C)的变化特征、影响因素及其气候环境指示意义,于2013年5月-2014年5月对芙蓉洞进行了洞穴监测。结果显示芙蓉洞山体土壤CO2浓度和洞内空气CO2浓度均表现出明显的季节变化特征,夏半年浓度偏高,冬半年浓度偏低,受温度和降水量的共同影响。芙蓉洞5个滴水点的DICδ13C平均值为-8.98 ‰,两个池水点的DICδ13C平均值为-6.98 ‰,池水的DICδ13C比滴水的重2 ‰。对应2013年7月的干旱气候,洞穴水DICδ13C在10月相应出现明显偏重值,偏轻的DICδ13C值则是对湿润气候的滞后响应。洞穴水的DICδ13C变化对地表气候的响应具有明显的滞后期。洞穴水DICδ13C主要受土壤CO2的影响,基岩溶解作用、包气带的开放性等因素也会对洞穴水DICδ13C造成一定的影响。研究结果表明在短时间尺度上,洞穴水DICδ13C变化响应了当地降水量以及地表湿润状况的变化。      

Mechanism of Salt Contamination of Karstic Springs Related to the Messinian Deep Stage. The Speleological Model of Port Miou (France)

Submarine karstic springs are frequent on the Mediterranean shore but most of them are brackish which prohibits their use. The numerous attempts to catch these springs ended in failure. Recent studies on the development of karst systems and the paleogeography of the Mediterranean sea explain these failures. Studies on the shores of south-eastern France have enabled us to propose an operating model that explains the mechanism of salt contamination.

The Port Miou system (Cassis, France) is a two kilometers long submarine gallery developped in the limestone series of Calanques (Marseille, France). The average discharge is between 2 to 5 m3/s but the water is brackish. In the 70's a dam was built to prevent sea intrusion in the cave but the water remained brackish upstream of the dam. The use of helium, and then rebreathers by cave divers, made it possible to explore a vertical pit down to -179 m below the sea level at the end of the cave. At that depth, the water is still brackish.

Important quantity of titanium was observed at the surface of the cave sediment upstream of the dam and at the end of the cave. The titanium comes from the residual product of a factory of alumina that is discharged in the Cassidaigne submarine canyon, at a depth of 300 m b.s.l., a few kilometers south to the spring. This residual product locally called «red mud» is very rich in titanium. This supports the model of a sea water aspiration in a deep gallery connected to the canyon. The Cassidaigne canyon that cuts a limestone plateau with dolines and caves is probably a pocket valley. Its presence is related to the several stages of lowering of the Mediterranean sea at the Messinian Deep Stage that allowed the existence of cave networks up to several hundreds of meters below the present sea level. The sea water is now sucked into the system.

A similar example exists in Kefalonia island (Greece) where a sea intrusion is observed in coastal sinkholes. This model explains why the different attempts to diminish the salinity of these brackish springs, by construction of dams close to the outlets, have failed.