Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How can the epikarst zone influence the karst aquifer hydraulic behaviour?

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

The role of an epikarst zone in the karst aquifer hydraulic behaviour was brought into focus in our studies referring to the catchment area of the Hubelj spring (SW Slovenia). This study points out the significance of effects of the fast preferential flow—epiflow, which is the main factor controlling solute/contaminant transport towards the aquifer saturated zone. The so-called epikarstic hypothesis is verified on the basis of the most significant research results that are supported by the most important findings from the literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Gunn J (1983) Point recharge of limestone aquifers—a model from New Zealand karst. J Hydrol 61:19–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiraly L, Perrochet P, Rossier Y (1995) Effect of the epikarst on the hydrograph of karst springs: a numerical approach. Bull Hydrogéol 14:199–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimchouk AB (1995) The nature and principal characteristics of epikarst. In: Proceedings of 12th international Congress of speleology, La Chaux-de-Fonds, 306 pp

  • Klimchouk AB (2000) The formation of epikarst and its role in vadose speleogenesis. In: Speleogenesis, evolution of karst aquifers, January 2000 Edt, National Speleological Society, pp 91–99

  • Lakey BL, Krothe NC (1996) Stable isotope variations of storm discharge from a perennial karst spring, Indiana. Water Resour Res 32:721–731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangin A (1975) Contribution à l’étude hydrodinamique des aquiferes karstiques: DES thesis. Ann Speleol 29(3):282–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrič M (2002) Characteristics of recharge–discharge relations in karst aquifer. Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts. Karst Research Institute, Postojna-Ljubljana, 154 pp

  • Trček B (2001) Solute transport monitoring in the unsaturated zone of the karst aquifer by natural tracers. PhD thesis, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, 125 pp

  • Trček B (2003) Epikarst zone and the karst aquifer behaviour, a case study of the Hubelj catchment, Slovenia. Geological Survey of Slovenia, Ljubljana, 100 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Trček B, Krothe NC (2002) The role of the epikarst zone in karst aquifer recharge processes. Geologija 45(2):579–584

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams PW (1983) The role of the subcutaneous zone in karst hydrology. J Hydrol 61:45–67

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Branka Trček

Authors
  1. Branka Trček
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Branka Trček.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Trček, B. How can the epikarst zone influence the karst aquifer hydraulic behaviour?. Environ Geol 51, 761–765 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0387-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0387-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation