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Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas

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A special issue of Hydrology (ISSN 2306-5338). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Waters and Groundwaters".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 27568

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Dr. Mahmoud Sherif

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1. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 E Paul Dirac Dr, B302, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
2. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
Interests: isotope hydrology; hydrogeology; radium; isotopic tracers; groundwater
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to the special issue on “Hydrogeology of Karst Areas” for Hydrology. Mahmoud Sherif (University of Delaware and Tanta university) will serve as a guest editor for this issue.

Groundwater is an essential part of the hydrologic cycle. It considered a vital water resource for agricultural, domestic, industrial, and energy production activities. Groundwater provides ~24.5% of the world’s fresh water supply.

Karst systems are an immense groundwater resource of worldwide distribution. They cover about 15.2% of the total continental surface of Earth (Goldscheider et al., 2020). These systems provide a fundamental water supply to almost a quarter of the world’s population (Ford and Williams, 2007).

Karst groundwater aquifers are expected to be further exploited to meet the growing demand for water as population increases. However, these aquifers have shown high vulnerability to contamination due to their high permeability (Kačaroğlu, 1999).

Understanding the hydrogeologic complexities of karst aquifers has been a focus of research conducted over the past few decades. These systems display high heterogeneity and anisotropy in their hydrogeological properties, thus the prediction of their behavior is highly challenging. In this special issue, we seek both research and review papers that address one or more of the following topics:

Numerical simulation of groundwater flow.
Geological, hydrological and hydrogeochemical investigations of karst systems.
Advances in isotopic investigations of karst systems.
Karst groundwater vulnerability assessment and remediation.
Management and mitigation of karst groundwater resources.

Dr. Mahmoud Sherif
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Karst aquifers
groundwater
groundwater flow
modelling
hydrochemistry
hydrology
water quality
remediation

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 15608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Horizontal Specific Temperature on the Flow Systems of the Transdanubian Mountains (Hungary)

by Márton Veress and Kálmán Péntek

Hydrology 2023, 10(7), 145; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology10070145 - 07 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1015

Abstract

This study interprets the development of various flow types of the Transdanubian Mountains. For this, pressure was calculated at different depths and along some profiles the horizontal, specific temperature was calculated based on geoisotherms. This is the value of temperature distribution calculated to a given place. It has been established that upwellings develop at sites where the value of horizontal specific temperature is more than 0.8 °C, and partial upwelling can be detected where this value is between 0.6 °C and 0.8 °C. Outflow from the karst is present where this value is below 0.4 °C. Taking into consideration these values, the water temperature of karst springs and the caves of heat effect, the distribution of various flow types are determined. The flow type is also affected by the fault structure of the basin. In the case of horsts subsided to a great degree, since the sediment is thick above such horsts, the water is not able to flow upwards and towards the mountains because the hydrostatic pressure does not prevail any more. Above horsts subsided to a lower degree, the sediment is thin and thus, the water moving upwards is able to flow through. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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16 pages, 5161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Analysis of Tracer Tests in the Karstic Basin of the Gacka River (Croatian Dinaric Karst)

by Andrej Stroj, Maja Briški, Jasmina Lukač Reberski and Tihomir Frangen

Hydrology 2023, 10(5), 106; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology10050106 - 08 May 2023

Viewed by 1463

Abstract

Tracer testing is the only method in karst hydrogeology that can definitively determine whether a particular site belongs to a watershed of a particular karst spring. Therefore, it is an essential technique for delineating groundwater basins in karst areas. The availability of tracer test results is often limited due to the complicated and relatively expensive application of this approach, especially for large regional watersheds. The Croatian part of the Dinaric karst region extends for several hundred kilometers along the Adriatic coast and consists almost entirely of highly karstified carbonate rocks. The groundwater basins in these areas almost never match the surface morphology of the terrain. In practice, all available results of previous surveys are often used to define watersheds, regardless of the methodology and age of their implementation. This is also true for the earlier delineations of the Gacka River watershed, a regional karst basin in the Croatian Dinaric karst. However, tracer testing methods, especially the accuracy of tracer determination and monitoring, have improved significantly during this time. In order to assess the reliability of past tracing results in this significant karst basin, we reviewed reports of previous tracer tests. More recent tests, in particular the most recent multitracer injection test with continuous tracer detection on the major springs, produced high-quality data that allowed us to assess the reliability of the findings from prior research. A number of large karst springs with partially overlapping subcatchments feed the Gacka River. After discarding unreliable tracing data, we reevaluated the subcatchments of the main springs as well as the characteristics of the regional groundwater flow patterns throughout the basin, which is particularly important for water quality protection measures of the springs. The Gacka River basin is used as a case study to emphasize the importance of thoroughly assessing the reliability of previous tracing data before using them in regional analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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12 pages, 1173 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Utilization of Tryptophan-like Fluorescence as a Proxy for E. coli Contamination in a Mixed-Land-Use Karst Basin

by Ryan T. Dapkus, Alan E. Fryar, Benjamin W. Tobin, Diana M. Byrne, Shishir K. Sarker, Leonie Bettel and James F. Fox

Hydrology 2023, 10(4), 74; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology10040074 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2019

Abstract

Karst aquifers are susceptible to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms, such as those found in human and animal waste, because the surface and subsurface drainage are well integrated through dissolution features. Fecal contamination of water is commonly assessed by the concentration of thermotolerant coliform bacteria, especially E. coli. This method is time-consuming, taking ≥18 h between the start of incubation and subsequent enumeration, as well as the time required to collect and transport samples. We examined the utility of continuous monitoring of tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) as a real-time proxy for E. coli in a mixed-land-use karst basin in the Inner Bluegrass region of central Kentucky (USA). Two logging fluorometers were sequentially deployed at the outlet spring. During storm flow, TLF typically peaked after discharge, which suggests that TLF transport in the phreatic conduit is likely related to sediment transport. The ability of TLF and other parameters (48 h antecedent precipitation, turbidity, and air temperature) to predict E. coli concentrations was assessed using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) applied to linear regression models. Because both the models and baseline concentrations of TLF differed between fluorometers, TLF and instrument interaction were accounted for in the AIC. TLF was positively correlated with E. coli and, in conjunction with antecedent precipitation, was the best predictor of E. coli. However, a model that included air temperature and antecedent precipitation but not TLF predicted E. coli concentrations similarly well. Given the expense of the fluorometers and the performance of the alternate model, TLF may not be a cost-effective proxy for E. coli in this karst basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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15 pages, 2402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Decade of Cave Drip Hydrographs Shows Spatial and Temporal Variability in Epikarst Storage and Recharge to Appalachian Karst Systems

by Nigel C. Groce-Wright, Joshua R. Benton, Nicholas W. Hammond and Madeline E. Schreiber

Hydrology 2022, 9(8), 131; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9080131 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1814

Abstract

We conducted recession analyses on cave drip hydrographs from a 10-year record (2008–2018) of three drip monitoring stations within James Cave (Pulaski County, VA, USA) to examine differences in hydrologic characteristics of the epikarst and quantify the storage volume of the epikarst feeding the drips. We used two recession analysis methods (correlation and matching strip) to calculate recession coefficients for multiple hydrographs at each site. Results show subtle differences between the three drip sites, suggestive of spatial heterogeneity in permeability and storage in the overlying epikarst. Storage volume calculations show that during the recharge season, up to 95% of recharge through the epikarst to the cave occurs through rapid pathways (i.e., fractures), and 5% of recharge occurs through diffuse pathways (i.e., pores). However, during the recession period, recharge through rapid pathways in the epikarst decreases and occurs predominantly through diffuse flow. Combined, these results underscore the importance of documenting spatial and temporal characterization of drip rates and other recharge inputs into karst systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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20 pages, 6859 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Holistic Approach to Study Groundwater-Surface Water Modifications Induced by Strong Earthquakes: The Case of Campiano Catchment (Central Italy)

by Elisa Mammoliti, Davide Fronzi, Costanza Cambi, Francesco Mirabella, Carlo Cardellini, Emiliano Patacchiola, Alberto Tazioli, Stefano Caliro and Daniela Valigi

Hydrology 2022, 9(6), 97; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9060097 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

Carbonate aquifers are characterised by strong heterogeneities and their modelling is often a challenging aspect in hydrological studies. Understanding carbonate aquifers can be more complicated in the case of strong seismic events which have been widely demonstrated to influence groundwater flow over wide areas or on a local scale. The 2016–2017 seismic sequence of Central Italy is a paradigmatic example of how earthquakes play an important role in groundwater and surface water modifications. The Campiano catchment, which experienced significant discharge modifications immediately after the mainshocks of the 2016–2017 seismic sequence (Mmax = 6.5) has been analysed in this study. The study area is within an Italian national park (Sibillini Mts.) and thus has importance from a naturalistic and socio-economic standpoint. The research strategy coupled long-period artificial tracer tests (conducted both before and after the main earthquakes), geochemical and discharge analyses and isotope hydrology with hydrogeological cross-sections. This study highlights how the seismic sequence temporarily changed the behaviour of the normal faults which act predominantly as barriers to flow in the inter-seismic period, with water flow being normally favoured along the fault strikes. On the contrary, during earthquakes, groundwater flow can be significantly diverted perpendicularly to fault-strikes due to co-seismic fracturing and a consequent permeability increase. The interaction between groundwater and surface water is not only important from the point of view of scientific research but also has significant implications at an economic and social level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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19 pages, 5209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Recharge and Epikarst Role in a Complex Metamorphic Karst Aquifer: The Pollaccia System, Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy)

by Alessia Nannoni and Leonardo Piccini

Hydrology 2022, 9(5), 83; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9050083 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2024

Abstract

The Apuan Alps (Italy) are an internationally renowned karst region where several karst springs have a mean discharge exceeding 100 L/s, thus representing important water resources. One of the major springs, the Pollaccia, was monitored for approximately one year. This spring drains a structurally complex metamorphic karst aquifer that is characterized by multiple hydrologic sectors with variable recharge and infiltration styles. Spring discharge, water temperature, and electrical conductivity were compared to precipitation data, and time lag analysis was performed on 27 storm hydro/thermo/chemographs (HTC-graphs) that occurred in different hydrological phases. A marked seasonality was observed for all the monitored parameters and for the measured lags. The comparison of the storm HTC-graphs with no precipitation phases permitted recognition of the differential contribution of the various sectors. The Pollaccia’s hydrodynamic behavior was related to three different scenarios in the recharge area: (1) allogenic runoff recharge in the noncarbonate sectors; (2) autogenic recharge and runoff over the steeply dipping marble outcrops, characterized by fast epiphreatic flow through master conduits and low epikarst storage; (3) autogenic recharge through highly fractured, gently dipping marble outcrops, characterized by quick hydraulic pressure transfer to the phreatic zone and relevant epikarst storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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21 pages, 7596 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hydrological Behavior of Karst Systems Identified by Statistical Analyses of Stable Isotope Monitoring Results

by Diana Mance, Maja Radišić, Danijela Lenac and Josip Rubinić

Hydrology 2022, 9(5), 82; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9050082 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1923

Abstract

The article presents findings of a two-year systematic study of stable isotope content in two karst groundwater resources in Primorsko-goranska county (Croatia): the Martinšćica wells (MWs) and the Dobrica spring (DBC). The temporal and spatial variation of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes is commonly studied in conjunction with hydrogeological conditions such as groundwater dynamics and discharge conditions. However, since this information was incomplete, we were forced to work with limited data and rely on analyses of stable isotope monitoring results. The obtained results show that winter precipitation is the most common recharge source for the systems, and the average residence time of water in the subsurface is less than a year. Furthermore, the MWs system is a typical dual-porosity system with dominant base flow. The results of the nonparametric regression analysis show that the possibility of seawater intrusion into the spring affecting DBC isotope content cannot be ruled out. We believe that the results presented in the paper demonstrate that when combined with statistical analyses, environmental stable isotopes are a powerful tool for gaining insights in karst hydrogeology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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27 pages, 7286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrological System of the Plitvice Lakes—Trends and Changes in Water Levels, Inflows, and Losses

by Maja Radišić, Josip Rubinić, Igor Ružić and Andrijana Brozinčević

Hydrology 2021, 8(4), 174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology8040174 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2546

Abstract

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The lake system is composed of 16 cascading lakes of different sizes separated by tufa barriers, which are the park’s key phenomenon. The lakes are characterized by highly diverse trends of the characteristic hydrological indicators—mean annual water levels, discharges, and tufa barrier growth. The analyses carried out in this paper identified that in the period before the early 1990s, Kozjak Lake had a trend of decreasing discharges, together with a trend of increasing water levels and growing tufa barriers. In contrast to this, in the period after 2001, a trend of increasing discharges was recorded, as well as a trend of decreasing water levels and decreasing tufa barriers. A potential cause of the barriers decreasing in size were the extremely high discharges during the last decade, which resulted in increased erosion of the tufa barriers. Losses of water due to the sinking from the lake system as well as the upper Korana course were confirmed, and it was identified that during the analyzed period the losses had not changed significantly. It was determined that the losses of water from Kozjak Lake occurred during low-water periods; however, they depended not only on the quantity of water flowing through the lakes but also on the hydrological conditions underground. The analyses carried out and the methodological procedures used in the analyzed area of the Plitvice Lakes are useful examples for the performance of analyses at similar lakes in karst formed by tufa deposition processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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15 pages, 5727 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Tracer Dispersion through Karst Conduit: Assessment of Small-Scale Heterogeneity by Multi-Point Tracer Test and CFD Modeling

by Romain Deleu, Sandra Soarez Frazao, Amaël Poulain, Gaëtan Rochez and Vincent Hallet

Hydrology 2021, 8(4), 168; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology8040168 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2481

Abstract

Tracer tests are widely used for characterizing hydrodynamics, from stream-scale to basin-wide scale. In karstic environments, the positioning of field fluorometers (or sampling) is mostly determined by the on-site configuration and setup difficulties. Most users are probably aware of the importance of this positioning for the relevance of data, and single-point tests are considered reliable. However, this importance is subjective to the user and the impact of positioning is not well quantified. This study aimed to quantify the spatial heterogeneity of tracer concentration through time in a karstic environment, and its impact on tracer test results and derived information on local hydrodynamics. Two approaches were considered: on-site tracing experiments in a karstic river, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of tracer dispersion through a discretized karst river channel. A comparison between on-site tracer breakthrough curves and CFD results was allowed by a thorough assessment of the river geometry. The results of on-site tracer tests showed significant heterogeneities of the breakthrough curve shape from fluorometers placed along a cross-section. CFD modeling of the tracer test through the associated discretized site geometry showed similar heterogeneity and was consistent with the positioning of on-site fluorometers, thus showing that geometry is a major contributor of the spatial heterogeneity of tracer concentration through time in karstic rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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25 pages, 25469 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydro-Stratigraphic Conditions and Human Activity Leading to Development of a Sinkhole Cluster in a Mediterranean Water Ecosystem

by Stefano Margiotta, Gabriele Marini, Sergio Fay, Francesco M. D’Onghia, Isabella S. Liso, Mario Parise and Maurizio Pinna

Hydrology 2021, 8(3), 111; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology8030111 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

Salento Peninsula (Apulia, southern Italy) is characterised by many active sinkholes, which represent the main geological hazard. The stretch of coastline between the village of Casalabate and Le Cesine wildlife reserve is highly affected, with a system of dunes separating the low beach from extensive wetlands, which were subject to uncontrolled urban development after reclamation. The overall morphology is characterized by flat topography, whilst from a hydrogeological standpoint, the mixing of inland freshwater with advancing brackish water favours the higher aggressivity with respect to soluble rocks, and the development of enhanced dissolution (hyperkarst). The relict landscapes within the protected areas still allow for the recognition of actively occurring sinkholes, which cause damage to houses, the road network and infrastructures. In this article the case of Aquatina di Frigole is described, where in the last 15 years numerous sinkholes have formed, with the processes still in rapid evolution. Detailed surveys allow for to identification of the mechanisms of sinkhole formation (suffusion sinkholes), the deriving cluster, and the main hydrogeological links among the different water bodies in the area. Acquatina di Frigole provides an excellent natural laboratory to observe development and evolution of sinkholes, and their relationships with the stratigraphic and hydrogeological elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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Review

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19 pages, 12958 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Karst Brackish Springs of Albania

by Romeo Eftimi, Mario Parise and Isabella Serena Liso

Hydrology 2022, 9(7), 127; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9070127 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2268

Abstract

The territory of Albania presents wide outcrops of soluble rocks, with typical karst landforms and the presence of remarkable carbonate aquifers. Many karst areas are located near the coasts, which results in a variety of environmental problems, mostly related to marine intrusion. This paper focuses on the brackish springs of Albania, which exhibit temperatures approximately equal to the yearly air temperature at their location. Total dissolved solids of the springs are higher than 1000 mg/L, their waters are not drinkable, and they are rarely used for other purposes. The groundwater of the alluvial aquifers of Albania, particularly those of Pre-Adriatic Lowland, are often brackish too, but these will not be addressed here. Brackish springs of Albania are mainly of karst origin and can be classified into two groups: springs in evaporitic rock, mainly gypsum, and springs in carbonate rock. The hydro-chemical facies of the first group are usually Ca-SO₄, locally with increased concentrations of Na-Cl, whereas springs belonging to the second group usually exhibit Na-Cl facies. The largest brackish springs of Albania are described in detail, including their hydro-chemical correlations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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Other

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16 pages, 3145 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Characterizing Hydrological Functioning of Three Large Karst Springs in the Salem Plateau, Missouri, USA

by Shishir K. Sarker and Alan E. Fryar

Hydrology 2022, 9(6), 96; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology9060096 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2615

Abstract

Spring discharge hydrographs can provide information on karst aquifer connectivity and responses to precipitation. However, few studies have conducted time-series analyses of spring hydrographs over multi-decadal time scales. We examine daily discharge for three large karst springs and daily precipitation for adjoining weather stations during 1928–2019 in the Salem Plateau of southern Missouri, one of the major karst regions in the USA. For different time periods, we conducted baseflow index calculations and time-series (autocorrelation, spectral density, and cross-correlation with precipitation) analyses for discharge data, and Mann–Kendall (MK) trend analyses for discharge and precipitation data. Hydrograph separation indicates discharge is baseflow-dominated (86–94%) at all three springs. The memory effect is lower for Bennett Spring (with an auto-correlation lag time 29–41 days) than for Big Spring (60–92 days) and Greer Spring (77–112 days). Spectral density analysis indicates that annual signals dominate all three springs. Cross-correlation analysis shows a quicker response to precipitation at Bennett Spring (0–1 days) than at Big and Greer springs (1–2 days). MK trend analysis shows significant increases in discharge for all three springs over multiple decades, but not for the period 2007–2019. Increased discharge accompanies regional increases in precipitation, but may also reflect increased recharge associated with reversion of farmland to forest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydro-Geology of Karst Areas)

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