Karst hydrology

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The Karst hydrology is the science of water in a Karst system , its spatial and temporal pathways and in particular the catchment area, which is superior in Karst systems the premises.

function

The water balance in a karst area and its size is subject to various framework conditions. Depending on the location, exposure , shape and size of the catchment area , formation of the receiving water network , evaporation rate, frequency and type of precipitation, the karst groundwater bodies can develop differently in the given geological composition of the subsoil . In principle, there are two levels with an intermediate level. The upper, waterless zone is called the Vadose Zone , the lower, water-saturated Phreatic Zone .

For the genesis of the subterranean waterways, the resulting interface systems are of great importance: The primary cause of the formation of cavities and sinkholes in the karst is the dissolving effect of the water enriched with carbon dioxide . The most important factors that determine the karstification process, besides the factor of time, are the karstification ability of the rock, the hydrogeological conditions, the climatic conditions, the relief energy , the vegetation and the anthropogenic interventions. The corrosion of the CO 2 -rich water always begins at the waterway separating surfaces of the rock, but especially in fault and disruption zones. It initially leads to the widening of crevices and fault areas, to chutes and small cavities, which run through the rock irregularly, but in adaptation to the structure of the interface.

The “principle of self- reinforcement ” is of decisive importance for the formation of the karst phenomena : deepened waterways in the mountains and especially in the karst attract the water, which means that the hollow forms are constantly expanded. Thus, from a narrow Versinkung a sinkhole , from this sometimes a funnel-shaped sinkhole and including a cave system. The further development of the karst forms up to the sinkhole stage then only depends on the rock-specific karst susceptibility of the corresponding rock layers: In the layer facies of carbonates, a systematic dependence of the karst cavities on the dividing surfaces and fault zones can be observed, which is often absent in the reef facies.

bibliography

  • Ognjen Bonacci: Karst Hydrology: With Special Reference to the Dinaric Karst . Springer Series in Physical Environment 2: Springer-Verlag, New York, 184 pages, 1987.
  • Derek C. Ford and Paul Williams: Karst Geomorphology and Hydrology . Unwin Hyman, Winchester, Massachusetts, 320 pages, 1989
  • Borivoje F. Mijatovic: Hydrogeology of the Dinaric Karst . Heise, 254 pp., Hanover, 1984
  • Petar Milanovic: Karst Hydrogeology . Water Resources Publications, Colorado, 1981