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KarstBase a bibliography database in karst and cave science.
Featured articles from Cave & Karst Science Journals
Characterization of minothems at Libiola (NW Italy): morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical study, Carbone Cristina; Dinelli Enrico; De Waele Jo
Chemistry and Karst, White, William B.
The karst paradigm: changes, trends and perspectives, Klimchouk, Alexander
Long-term erosion rate measurements in gypsum caves of Sorbas (SE Spain) by the Micro-Erosion Meter method, Sanna, Laura; De Waele, Jo; Calaforra, José Maria; Forti, Paolo
The use of damaged speleothems and in situ fault displacement monitoring to characterise active tectonic structures: an example from Zapadni Cave, Czech Republic , Briestensky, Milos; Stemberk, Josef; Rowberry, Matt D.;
Featured articles from other Geoscience Journals
Karst environment, Culver D.C.
Mushroom Speleothems: Stromatolites That Formed in the Absence of Phototrophs, Bontognali, Tomaso R.R.; D’Angeli Ilenia M.; Tisato, Nicola; Vasconcelos, Crisogono; Bernasconi, Stefano M.; Gonzales, Esteban R. G.; De Waele, Jo
Calculating flux to predict future cave radon concentrations, Rowberry, Matt; Marti, Xavi; Frontera, Carlos; Van De Wiel, Marco; Briestensky, Milos
Microbial mediation of complex subterranean mineral structures, Tirato, Nicola; Torriano, Stefano F.F;, Monteux, Sylvain; Sauro, Francesco; De Waele, Jo; Lavagna, Maria Luisa; D’Angeli, Ilenia Maria; Chailloux, Daniel; Renda, Michel; Eglinton, Timothy I.; Bontognali, Tomaso Renzo Rezio
Evidence of a plate-wide tectonic pressure pulse provided by extensometric monitoring in the Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria), Briestensky, Milos; Rowberry, Matt; Stemberk, Josef; Stefanov, Petar; Vozar, Jozef; Sebela, Stanka; Petro, Lubomir; Bella, Pavel; Gaal, Ludovit; Ormukov, Cholponbek;
International Conference: ?The Quality of Life and Environment: a Must for European Integration?
2006
Long-term tracing in karstic aquifer reservoir for drinking water:
Rino Semeraro, Massimiliano Baldassi, Luciano Ballarin, Clarissa Brun, Luca D?amelio, Fulvio Forti
Abstract:
The chain of the Musi Mt (1,869.4 m) is one of the most important karst massifs of the Western Julian Fore-Alps (Italy). It corresponds to an east-west unicline dipping north. The structural northern slope, having glaciokarst morphologies, is conditioned by karst in calcareous rocks (Raethian-Liassic); the southern dolomitic slope (Dolomia Principale, Norian-Raethian), is less karstified and is characterized by trenches. On the northern slope, the Barmàn spring is located; on the southern slope the Voidizza Springs and the Torre Springs are located. The Torre Springs, fed by both the alluvial aquifer of the upper valley of the Torre Stream and by the carbonate aquifer of the Musi, supply the waterworks of western Friuli region managed by ?CAFC Consorzio Acquedotti Friuli Orientale?. Almost the whole feeding basin of the above-mentioned springs is placed in a protected area, managed by ?Ente Parco Naturale delle Prealpi Giulie?. Therefore, the zone is an important example of an area having high vulnerability due to karst and it is strategic for the water supply for an important part of Friuli. Formerly, two tracing tests were carried out injecting Uranine into the Pahor Abyss on the northern slope. From these tests it results that the waters of the karst area drain in the Uragano Cave and in the underlying Barman Spring. Only during heavy low water, when the underground watershed of the massif lowers, is it possible to observe traces of Uranine in the Torre Springs, since the most northern underground regions of the massif are drained. In order to understand better the underground water flow, a long-term tracing was carried out injecting Uranine in the the Pahor Abyss on 11th October 2005. The tracer test was supported by a chemical-physical study of the underground waters of the massif, in the period from 28th September 2005 to 13th January 2006. In this study flow measurements (Q), physical-chemical measurements on the field (T°C, pH, E.C.20°C), chemical analysis (Tot. hardness, TDS180, Alk. CaHCO3-, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, B, SiO2, Li+, Rb+, Sr2+, Cd, Co, tot. Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cu, As, Zn) and the analysis of the stable isotopes (δ18O, δD) were carried out. As for the tracing test two fluorometer probes were positioned: one at the Barmàn Spring, the other in the mixer between the 21 drainages and the capture well of the Torre Springs. Moreover, the Voidizza Springs were checked and regularly sampled. Uranine was found at the Barmàn Spring after 12.26 hours with a distance of about 1,500 m. It probably flowed in large karst conduits, at a theoretical speed of 120 m/h (3.3 cm/s). The breakthrough curves are very quick: Uranine wave extinguished in only three days, thus confirming that it is a high mountain system that reacts to impulses immediately. The E.C.20°C of the Barmàn Spring is almost constantly lower than that of the Torre and Voidizza Springs, whereas the temperature of the Voidizza Springs is always the highest of all the waters measured. δ18O of the Barmàn Spring (between -9.0 ? and -9.1?) is always inferior to that of the springs placed on the southern slope (between -8.0? and -8.7 ?) and δD of the Barmàn Spring ranges between -55? and -63?. E.C.20°C of the Barmàn Spring (between μS/cm 128.7 and μS/cm 188.0) is almost always inferior to the E.C.20°C of the springs of the southern slope (between μS/cm 139.9 and μS/cm 228.0). Ca2+ and Mg2+ are absolutely predominant in all the waters, where the Ca2+ values of the Barman Spring (around 30 mg/L) and of the springs of the southern slope (between 30 mg/L and 31.8 mg/L) are similar, whereas at the Barman Spring Mg2+ is always lower (about 4.9 mg/L) than that of the springs of the southern slope (between 9.0 mg/L and 16.2 mg/L). This confirms that the southern springs are fed by a predominantly dolomitic aquifer (in particular the Voidizza Springs) compared with that of the northern slope. Among the minor elements it is possible to observe Cu and Fe at the Torre and Voidizza Springs, whereas here Sr is remarkable (between 13.9 μg/L and 18.3 μg/L) and diffused in the whole aquifer. SO42- and NO3- are low in all the waters.
The chain of the Musi Mt (1,869.4 m) is one of the most important karst massifs of the Western Julian Fore-Alps (Italy). It corresponds to an east-west unicline dipping north. The structural northern slope, having glaciokarst morphologies, is conditioned by karst in calcareous rocks (Raethian-Liassic); the southern dolomitic slope (Dolomia Principale, Norian-Raethian), is less karstified and is characterized by trenches. On the northern slope, the Barmàn spring is located; on the southern slope the Voidizza Springs and the Torre Springs are located. The Torre Springs, fed by both the alluvial aquifer of the upper valley of the Torre Stream and by the carbonate aquifer of the Musi, supply the waterworks of western Friuli region managed by ?CAFC Consorzio Acquedotti Friuli Orientale?. Almost the whole feeding basin of the above-mentioned springs is placed in a protected area, managed by ?Ente Parco Naturale delle Prealpi Giulie?. Therefore, the zone is an important example of an area having high vulnerability due to karst and it is strategic for the water supply for an important part of Friuli. Formerly, two tracing tests were carried out injecting Uranine into the Pahor Abyss on the northern slope. From these tests it results that the waters of the karst area drain in the Uragano Cave and in the underlying Barman Spring. Only during heavy low water, when the underground watershed of the massif lowers, is it possible to observe traces of Uranine in the Torre Springs, since the most northern underground regions of the massif are drained. In order to understand better the underground water flow, a long-term tracing was carried out injecting Uranine in the the Pahor Abyss on 11th October 2005. The tracer test was supported by a chemical-physical study of the underground waters of the massif, in the period from 28th September 2005 to 13th January 2006. In this study flow measurements (Q), physical-chemical measurements on the field (T°C, pH, E.C.20°C), chemical analysis (Tot. hardness, TDS180, Alk. CaHCO3-, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, B, SiO2, Li+, Rb+, Sr2+, Cd, Co, tot. Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cu, As, Zn) and the analysis of the stable isotopes (δ18O, δD) were carried out. As for the tracing test two fluorometer probes were positioned: one at the Barmàn Spring, the other in the mixer between the 21 drainages and the capture well of the Torre Springs. Moreover, the Voidizza Springs were checked and regularly sampled. Uranine was found at the Barmàn Spring after 12.26 hours with a distance of about 1,500 m. It probably flowed in large karst conduits, at a theoretical speed of 120 m/h (3.3 cm/s). The breakthrough curves are very quick: Uranine wave extinguished in only three days, thus confirming that it is a high mountain system that reacts to impulses immediately. The E.C.20°C of the Barmàn Spring is almost constantly lower than that of the Torre and Voidizza Springs, whereas the temperature of the Voidizza Springs is always the highest of all the waters measured. δ18O of the Barmàn Spring (between -9.0 ? and -9.1?) is always inferior to that of the springs placed on the southern slope (between -8.0? and -8.7 ?) and δD of the Barmàn Spring ranges between -55? and -63?. E.C.20°C of the Barmàn Spring (between μS/cm 128.7 and μS/cm 188.0) is almost always inferior to the E.C.20°C of the springs of the southern slope (between μS/cm 139.9 and μS/cm 228.0). Ca2+ and Mg2+ are absolutely predominant in all the waters, where the Ca2+ values of the Barman Spring (around 30 mg/L) and of the springs of the southern slope (between 30 mg/L and 31.8 mg/L) are similar, whereas at the Barman Spring Mg2+ is always lower (about 4.9 mg/L) than that of the springs of the southern slope (between 9.0 mg/L and 16.2 mg/L). This confirms that the southern springs are fed by a predominantly dolomitic aquifer (in particular the Voidizza Springs) compared with that of the northern slope. Among the minor elements it is possible to observe Cu and Fe at the Torre and Voidizza Springs, whereas here Sr is remarkable (between 13.9 μg/L and 18.3 μg/L) and diffused in the whole aquifer. SO42- and NO3- are low in all the waters.