Due to its specific structure karst is exceptionally vulnerable to the consequences of different anthropogenic activities. Very high permeablity enables quick infiltration of water into the underground and very fast flow over large distances. Together with the percolated water flow also the contaminantion and thus threatens the quality of water sources. In order to properly protect them good knowledge of karst aquifer behaviour is essential.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29373997
Guidelines on vulnerability assessment of the horizontal groundwater flow path within the karst saturated zone (K factor) have been proposed that consider the groundwater travel time (t subfactor), connection and contribution to the source (r subfactor) and active conduit or fissured network (n subfactor). The extended COP method has been applied in two carbonate aquifers in southern Spain with different geological, hydrogeological and climate settings. The obtained source vulnerability maps can thus be used as a basis for the protection zones delineation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30294317
Four methods of groundwater vulnerability mapping have been applied in a Slovene karst catchment and validated by tracer tests. The following methods were selected: EPIK, PI, the Simplified Method and the Slovene Approach. The results suggest that EPIK and the Simplified Method sometimes overestimate vulnerability, while PI and the Slovene Approach tend to deliver more realistic results. The Slovene Approach gives the clearest guidance how to deal with hydrologic variability, for example by assigning lower vulnerability to occasionally active sinking surface waters than to permanent ones.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29784877
In Slovenia almost half of the country's needs for drinking water is covered with pumping from karst water sources. In the dry period of the year these cover up to two thirds of our sources. Unfortunately most of karst water sources still remain unsufficiently protected. Reasons can be found in lack of knowledge about sustainable water management in karst regions, conflicting interests in land use and insufficient control over the implementation of the provisions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29375533