Abstract
Defining groundwater circulation velocity and residence time in the karst is of particular importance, especially for purposes of water supply use. Investigations were performed at Veliko Vrelo and Malo Vrelo springs, which are typical gravitational circulation karst springs of the Beljanica massif, for determining groundwater residence time, both during the high-flow period, which is characterized by rapid water circulation (spring period), as well as in the recession period (end of summer) when water circulates significantly more slowly through smaller and relatively deeper karst channels. For purposes of defining the different groundwater residence times and circulation velocity, besides tracer test (Na-fluorescein), stable isotope methods 18O, 2H, 13C as well as radioactive isotopes 3H and 3H + 3He were used. Additionally, to determine the temperature conditions that prevail, as well as recharge duration in the vadose zone during the groundwater recharge period, the content of noble gases in groundwater was measured. The results reveal the dual development of karst conduits, where the first circulation zone is characterized by larger channel dimensions where groundwater rapidly circulates over a period of only several days, while the second zone consists of smaller channels and cracks, in which the waters reside 3 or 4 months during the recession period.
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Acknowledgements
Research presented in this paper was supported by projects from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia: Project No. OI 176022 (“Groundwater Potential and Base for its Sustainable Utilization”) and Project No. TR 37005 (“Assessment of climate change impact on Serbia’s water resources”).
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This article is a part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on Sustainable Management of Karst Natural Resources, guest edited by Drs. Sasa Malinovic and Zoran Stevanovic.
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Vasić, L., Palcsu, L. & Fen, H. Groundwater gravitational circulation of Karst Veliko Vrelo and Malo Vrelo springs by isotope and the noble gas method: case study of the Beljanica Massif. Environ Earth Sci 78, 307 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8294-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8294-0