An example of identifying karst groundwater flow

 Hydrogeological investigations for the purpose of regulating the karst aquifer were carried out in the mountain massif of Kucaj in the Carpatho-Balkan range of eastern Serbia. Different geophysical methods were applied in order to identify the position of karstified zones with active circulation of karst underground streams. Especially good results were obtained by using the spontaneous potential method for the exploration and construction of boreholes and wells. In the valleys of Crni Timok and Radovanska reka the measurements have been carried out upstream along the whole width of the alluvium to the limestone periphery. A number of positive and negative anomalies have been recorded. In the centres of positive anomalies several boreholes were located: HG-19 (centre of anomaly +30 mV, total length of the biggest cavern is 9 m); HG-1 (+20 mV, cavern of 2 m); HG-15 (max. +114 mV, effective cavernousness is 17%). Received: 20 February 1995 · Accepted: 12 September 1997     

Groundwater management in northern Iraq

Groundwater is vital and the sole resource in most of the studied region of northern Iraq. It has a significant role in agriculture, water supply and health, and the elimination of poverty in rural areas. Although Iraq is currently dramatically disturbed by complex political and socio-economic problems, in its northern part, i.e. the Kurdish-inhabited region, fast urbanization and economic expansion are visible everywhere. Monitoring and water management schemes are necessary to prevent aquifer over-exploitation in the region. Artificial recharge with temporary runoff water, construction of subsurface dams and several other aquifer management and regulation measures have been designed, and some implemented, in order to improve the water situation. Recommendations, presented to the local professionals and decision-makers in water management, include creation of Water Master Plans and Water User Associations, synchronization of drilling programmes, rehabilitation of the existing well fields, opening of new well fields, and the incorporation of new spring intakes in some areas with large groundwater reserves, as well as construction of numerous small-scale schemes for initial in situ water treatment where saline groundwater is present.     

Water losses risk assessment: an example from Carpathian karst

The multipurpose dam and reservoir “Bogovina” in the Crni Timok valley is one of several projects that have been initiated to improve water availability in Serbia. The site and height of the dam were initially proposed without consideration of risk factors such as water leakage or stability of the banks. Later, complex hydrogeological and speleological surveys and tests identified the potential of significant water losses from the reservoir area connected mainly to the karstic aquifer, and the nearby Bogovina cave system. The analyses show that once the reservoir is filled up, groundwater flow currently oriented towards the future reservoir would saturate the upper part of the karstified rocks, reactivate currently unsaturated pathways and form a reverse discharge outside of the reservoir area. In response to these findings, the dam design and technical details have been adapted accordingly: the dam height has been reduced by 9 m, and it is proposed that grouting and consolidation work be conducted both at the foundation of the dam and extensively on the embankments. It was concluded that although the proposed remedial measures cannot guarantee reservoir tightness, they can reduce the risk of large-scale leaking.     

The World Karst Aquifer Mapping project: concept,mapping procedure and map of Europe

Karst aquifers contribute substantially to freshwater supplies in many regions of the world, but are vulnerable to contamination and difficult to manage because of their unique hydrogeological characteristics. Many karst systems are hydraulically connected over wide areas and require transboundary exploration, protection and management. In order to obtain a better global overview of karst aquifers, to create a basis for sustainable international water-resources management, and to increase the awareness in the public and among decision makers, the World Karst Aquifer Mapping (WOKAM) project was established. The goal is to create a world map and database of karst aquifers, as a further development of earlier maps. This paper presents the basic concepts and the detailed mapping procedure, using France as an example to illustrate the step-by-step workflow, which includes generalization, differentiation of continuous and discontinuous carbonate and evaporite rock areas, and the identification of non-exposed karst aquifers. The map also shows selected caves and karst springs, which are collected in an associated global database. The draft karst aquifer map of Europe shows that 21.6% of the European land surface is characterized by the presence of (continuous or discontinuous) carbonate rocks; about 13.8% of the land surface is carbonate rock outcrop.

     

A new approach in assessing recharge of highly karstified terrains–Montenegro case studies

The recharge of a karst aquifer, in terms of its quantity and spatial distribution, depends on various natural factors such as climate, topography, vegetation, soil, and geology. Selection of an adequate method for assessing recharge in karst is often a matter of dispute. Multi-parameter methods using Geographical information systems tools have recently been successfully developed and applied in karstic terrains of Spain and Lebanon. Specific local conditions such as highly karstified terrains could additionally complicate such an assessment. The Montenegro karstified terrains in the southern part of the External Dinarides are characterized by a very high precipitation rate, irregular seasonal distribution, and absence of surface waters (extremely high infiltration capacity of karst). Considering such conditions, an attempt to apply existing knowledge and experiences to the development of an appropriate multi-parameter method for assessing spatial distribution of autogenous recharge has been made. The KARSTLOP method has been developed, applied, and calibrated at catchments of several large karst springs of Montenegro. Obtained results in tested catchment areas confirm that with some further improvements the KARSTLOP method could be a useful tool to support research of karstic aquifers in similar highly karstified terrains.