Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques
The geomorphological characteristics and hydrogeological functioning of a geologically heterogeneous evaporitic karst plateau in Southern Spain were studied. Land surface information (LiDAR data) was used to analyze the shape and distribution of closed depressions. An artificial tracer test and moni...
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doaj-6ae61822320242c5bbd4ee033fe5d18d2021-05-02T02:49:37ZengUniversity of South Florida LibrariesInternational Journal of Speleology0392-66721827-806X2017-06-0146221923510.5038/1827-806X.46.2.2115Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniquesJosé M. Gil-Márquez0Juan A. Barberá1Matías Mudarra2Bartolomé Andreo3Jorge Prieto-Mera4Damián Sánchez5L. David Rizo-Decelis6Manuel Argamasilla7José M. Nieto8Beatríz de la Torre9University of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaUniversity of MálagaThe geomorphological characteristics and hydrogeological functioning of a geologically heterogeneous evaporitic karst plateau in Southern Spain were studied. Land surface information (LiDAR data) was used to analyze the shape and distribution of closed depressions. An artificial tracer test and monitoring of the natural responses of the main spring have allowed to infer the karstic development of the studied system. Three dyes were injected in selected swallow holes to trace the main groundwater flowpaths and to estimate the dimension of the conduit network. Discharge, electrical conductivity and temperature were monitored in the groundwater that drains the evaporitic plateau during an individual and intense recharge pulse. Tracing techniques were adapted to high salinity environments by using specific calibration standards (NaCl + dye). The hydrological connection detected between two of the swallow holes and the outlet, and the deduced orientation pattern for closed areas, would suggest that the karst evolution (internal and external) is related to fault orientation. The rapid tracer detection (16-20 h) and high estimated maximum flow velocities (125-192 m/h), together with the fast impulsional response of the controlled physical-chemical parameters in spring waters (~15-16 h) demonstrate the existence of quick flows under recharge conditions with well-defined system drainage, indicating a high degree of internal karstification (estimated master conduit diameter ~1.5 m). However, flooding of the depressions feeding swallow holes and analysis of the spring response times from natural and artificial tracers point to a restriction of the system´s drainage, most likely due to the constrained morphology of the karst conduits. This results in sustained recharge periods and delayed spring responses of some parameters, highlighting the relevant role of concentrated recharge in the hydrogeological behavior of the studied evaporitic karst.http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol46/iss2/8/evaporitic karsttracer experimentsbrine springclosed depression detectionsouthern Spain |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
José M. Gil-Márquez Juan A. Barberá Matías Mudarra Bartolomé Andreo Jorge Prieto-Mera Damián Sánchez L. David Rizo-Decelis Manuel Argamasilla José M. Nieto Beatríz de la Torre |
spellingShingle |
José M. Gil-Márquez Juan A. Barberá Matías Mudarra Bartolomé Andreo Jorge Prieto-Mera Damián Sánchez L. David Rizo-Decelis Manuel Argamasilla José M. Nieto Beatríz de la Torre Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques International Journal of Speleology evaporitic karst tracer experiments brine spring closed depression detection southern Spain |
author_facet |
José M. Gil-Márquez Juan A. Barberá Matías Mudarra Bartolomé Andreo Jorge Prieto-Mera Damián Sánchez L. David Rizo-Decelis Manuel Argamasilla José M. Nieto Beatríz de la Torre |
author_sort |
José M. Gil-Márquez |
title |
Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques |
title_short |
Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques |
title_full |
Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques |
title_fullStr |
Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques |
title_full_unstemmed |
Karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from GIS-based analysis and tracing techniques |
title_sort |
karst development of an evaporitic system and its hydrogeological implications inferred from gis-based analysis and tracing techniques |
publisher |
University of South Florida Libraries |
series |
International Journal of Speleology |
issn |
0392-6672 1827-806X |
publishDate |
2017-06-01 |
description |
The geomorphological characteristics and hydrogeological functioning of a geologically heterogeneous evaporitic karst plateau in Southern Spain were studied. Land surface information (LiDAR data) was used to analyze the shape and distribution of closed depressions. An artificial tracer test and monitoring of the natural responses of the main spring have allowed to infer the karstic development of the studied system. Three dyes were injected in selected swallow holes to trace the main groundwater flowpaths and to estimate the dimension of the conduit network. Discharge, electrical conductivity and temperature were monitored in the groundwater that drains the evaporitic plateau during an individual and intense recharge pulse. Tracing techniques were adapted to high salinity environments by using specific calibration standards (NaCl + dye). The hydrological connection detected between two of the swallow holes and the outlet, and the deduced orientation pattern for closed areas, would suggest that the karst evolution (internal and external) is related to fault orientation. The rapid tracer detection (16-20 h) and high estimated maximum flow velocities (125-192 m/h), together with the fast impulsional response of the controlled physical-chemical parameters in spring waters (~15-16 h) demonstrate the existence of quick flows under recharge conditions with well-defined system drainage, indicating a high degree of internal karstification (estimated master conduit diameter ~1.5 m). However, flooding of the depressions feeding swallow holes and analysis of the spring response times from natural and artificial tracers point to a restriction of the system´s drainage, most likely due to the constrained morphology of the karst conduits. This results in sustained recharge periods and delayed spring responses of some parameters, highlighting the relevant role of concentrated recharge in the hydrogeological behavior of the studied evaporitic karst. |
topic |
evaporitic karst tracer experiments brine spring closed depression detection southern Spain |
url |
http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol46/iss2/8/ |
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