Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Opportunities to enhance management of karstic aquifers

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

Methods exist to obtain “new sources of water.” Examples include: (1) capturing and enhancing stormwater recharge and retention within diffuse-flow portions of karst and other aquifers; (2) recycling and reuse of waste water; (3) reducing evapotranspiration and rejected recharge; and (4) ameliorating atmospheric acid deposition through use of alkaline groundwater. These little used management methods have immense potential to sustain future water demands. Full utilization of “new” and traditional water resources requires an understanding of the hydrogeologic framework of karstic aquifers. Reliable conceptual, numerical flow and transport models are needed to help evaluate, select, and design viable water management options. Three such simulation examples are provided together with a discussion of Penn State’s Wastewater reuse project where recharge approaches 3.785 × 109l/year

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

  • Brown CE (1977) Multivariate analysis of petrographic and chemical factors influencing aquifer properties in selected carbonate aquifers on Central Pennsylvania. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 206 pp

  • Chin CV and Parizek RR (1997) Hydrogeologic and water quality investigations. In: 1996 Forecast of loading report for the Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus, Waste Water Treatment Plant, State College, PA, Office of Physical Plant, Operations Division, 64 pp

  • Gidding Jr MT (1974) Hydrologic Budget of Spring Creek Drainage Basin, Pennsylvania. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 76 pp

  • Konikow LF (1969) Mountain runoff and its relation to precipitation, ground water and recharge to the carbonate aquifers of Nittany Valley, Pennsylvania. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 128 pp

  • Meiser Jr EW (1995) Ground water geology and digital simulation of sustained yield potential of the Altoona area, Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 183 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundi EK (1972) The physical characteristics of some fractured aquifers in Central Pennsylvania and a digital simulation of their sustained yields. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Department of Goesciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 250 pp

  • Parizek RR, Kardos LT, Sopper WE, Meyers EA, Davis DD, Farrel MA, Nesbitt JS (1967) Waste water renovation and conservation, Penn State Studies Series 23, The Pennsylvania State University, 74 pp

  • Parizek RR (1987) Identification of ten potential high capacity well fields in the greater State College, PA Region, Phase III Study for the Center Regional Planning Commission, State College, PA

  • Parizek RR, Mundi EK (1990) Artificial ground-water recharge: an under used water resources management option, Chpt 22:367–283. In: Majumdar SK, Miller EW, Parizek RR (eds) Water resources in Pennsylvania: availability, quality and management. The Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, Typehouse of Easton, Philipsburg, 580 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Raunch HA, White WB (1970) Lithologic controls on the development of porosity in carbonate aquifers. Water Resour Res 6(4)1175–1192

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmotzer JK, Jester WA, Parizek RR (1974) Groundwater tracing using post activation analysis techniques. J Hydrol 20(3) 217–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuster ET, White WB (1971) Seasonal fluctuations in the chemistry of limestone springs: a possible means for characterizing carbonate aquifers, J Hydrol 14:93–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui SH (1969) Hydrogeologic factors influencing well yields and aquifer hydraulic properties of folded and faulted carbonate rocks in Central Pennsylvania, Unpublished PhD Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 502 pp

  • Siddiqui SH, Parizek RR (1971) Hydrogeologic factors influencing well yields in folded and faulted carbonate rocks in Central Pennsylvania. Water Resour Res 7(5)1295–1312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith M (1986) Evaluating ground-water recharge potential in the valley and ridge region of the Central Appalachians using a digital-overlay technique. Unpublished MS Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 289 pp

  • Underwood KL (1994) Evaluation of pesticides and nitrate mobility in a conduit-flow dominated basin. Unpublished M.S. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 205 pp

  • Yeh GT, Chang RJ (1993) A finite element model of water flow through aquifers: version 2.0, Class notes issued May 1993, Department of Engineering, Pennsylvania State University

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author thanks E. Baumrucker and B.R. Parizek for their editorial comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Richard R. Parizek

Authors
  1. Richard R. Parizek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard R. Parizek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Parizek, R.R. Opportunities to enhance management of karstic aquifers. Environ Geol 51, 731–735 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0392-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0392-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation