Abstract
This study investigates a method of karst-aquifer vulnerability modeling that modifies the concentration-overburden-precipitation (COP) method to better account for structural recharge pathways through noncarbonate rocks, and applies advancements in remote-sensing sinkhole identification. Karst aquifers are important resources for human and agricultural needs worldwide, yet they are often highly complex and have high vulnerability to contamination. While many methods of estimating intrinsic vulnerability of karst aquifers have been developed, few methods acknowledge the complication of layered karst aquifer systems, which may include interactions between carbonate and noncarbonate rocks. This paper describes a modified version of the COP method applied to the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, USA, the primary catchment area supplying springs along the north side of the Grand Canyon. The method involves two models that, together, produce higher resolution and greater differentiation of vulnerability for both the deep and perched aquifers beneath the Kaibab Plateau by replacing the original sinkhole distance parameter with sinkhole density. Analyses indicate that many karst regions would benefit from the methodology developed for this study. Regions with high-resolution elevation data would benefit from the incorporation of sinkhole density data in aquifer vulnerability assessments, and deeper semi-confined karst aquifers would benefit greatly from the consideration of fault location.
Résumé
Cette étude concerne des travaux de recherche relatifs à une méthode d’identification et représentation de la vulnérabilité d’un aquifère karstique qui apporte des modifications à la méthode COP (Concentration – couverture – précipitation) pour mieux tenir compte des voies de recharge liées aux caractéristiques structurales des roches non carbonatées, et tire profit des avancées dans le domaine de l’identification des gouffres à l’aide de la télédétection. Les aquifères karstiques constituent d’importantes ressources pour les besoins domestiques et de l’agriculture dans le monde entier, mais ils sont souvent très complexes et très vulnérables à la contamination. Alors que plusieurs méthodes d’estimation de la vulnérabilité intrinsèque des aquifères karstiques ont été développées, peu de méthodes prennent en considération la complexité de systèmes aquifères karstiques superposés, qui doivent intégrer des interactions entre les roches carbonatées et non carbonatées. Cet article décrit la version modifiée de la méthode COP appliquée au plateau de Kaibab, Arizona, Etats-Unis d’Amérique, la zone primaire du bassin alimentant les sources le long du secteur septentrional du Grand Canyon. La méthode implique deux approches qui, ensemble, produisent une plus haute résolution et différentiation de la vulnérabilité pour les aquifères profonds et perchés, en dessous du plateau de Kaibab, en remplaçant le paramètre original relatif à la distance des gouffres par le paramètre concernant la densité des gouffres. Les analyses indiquent que plusieurs régions karstiques pourraient bénéficier de cette méthodologie développée pour cette étude. Les régions avec des données topographiques de haute résolution pourraient tirer profit de l’intégration des données de la densité des gouffres dans les évaluations de la vulnérabilité des aquifères, et les aquifères karstiques semi captifs plus profonds pourraient bénéficier grandement de la prise en compte de la localisation des failles.
Resumen
Este estudio investiga un método de modelado de vulnerabilidad de acuíferos kársticos que modifica el método de Concentración-Sobrecarga-Precipitación (COP) para tener mejor en cuenta las vías de recarga estructural a través de rocas no carbonáticas, y aplica avances en la identificación de pozos por teledetección. Los acuíferos kársticos son recursos importantes para las necesidades humanas y agrícolas en todo el mundo, pero a menudo son muy complejos y son muy vulnerables a la contaminación. Si bien se han desarrollado muchos métodos para estimar la vulnerabilidad intrínseca de los acuíferos kársticos, pocos métodos reconocen la complicación de los sistemas acuíferos kársticos en capas, que pueden incluir interacciones entre rocas carbonáticas y no carbonáticas. Este documento describe una versión modificada del método COP aplicado a la meseta de Kaibab, Arizona, EE.UU., la principal zona de captación que abastece a los manantiales a lo largo del lado norte del Gran Cañón. El método incluye dos modelos que, en conjunto, producen una mayor resolución y diferenciación de la vulnerabilidad de los acuíferos, tanto profundos como colgados, bajo la meseta de Kaibab, sustituyendo el parámetro original de distancia del sumidero por el de densidad del sumidero. Los análisis indican que muchas regiones kársticas se beneficiarían de la metodología desarrollada para este estudio. Las regiones con datos de elevación de alta resolución se beneficiarían de la incorporación de datos de densidad de sumideros en las evaluaciones de vulnerabilidad de los acuíferos, y los acuíferos kársticos semiconfinados más profundos se beneficiarían en gran medida de la consideración de la localización de fallas.
摘要
本研究提出了岩溶-含水层脆弱性的建模方法。为更好说明通过非碳酸盐岩的结构化补给途径,该方法改进了浓度-覆盖-沉淀(COP)方法,并将其应用于基于遥感的落水洞识别。岩溶含水层是满足全球人类和农业需求的重要资源,但它们往往高度复杂,极易受到污染。虽然已有许多估算岩溶含水层固有脆弱性的方法,但很少有方法认识到碳酸盐岩与非碳酸盐岩之间相互作用的层状岩溶含水层系统的复杂性。本文介绍了适用于美国亚利桑那州Kaibab高原的COP改进方法,该地区是沿大峡谷北侧产生泉水的主要集水区。该方法涉及两个模型,通过用落水洞密度代替原始落水洞距离参数,两个模型均为Kaibab高原深层和栖息含水层提供了更高分辨率和更大脆弱性分区。分析表明,许多岩溶地区将受到本研究开发方法的启发。集成落水洞密度数据的高分辨率高程数据的区域有利于含水层脆弱性评估,而更深部的半承压岩溶含水层在考虑断层位置后也更益于进行脆弱性评估。
Resumo
Este estudo investiga um método de modelagem de vulnerabilidade de aquífero cárstico que modifica o método de Concetracao-Sobrecarga-Precipitacao (COP) para explicar melhor as rotas de recargas estruturais através de rochas não carbonatadas, além de trazer avanços na identificação de sumidouros via sensoriamento remoto. Os aquíferos cársticos são recursos importantes para as necessidades humanas e agrícolas em todo o mundo, embora sejam, muitas vezes, altamente complexos e tenham alta vulnerabilidade à contaminação. Apesar de muitos métodos de estimativa da vulnerabilidade intrínseca de aquíferos cársticos tenham sido desenvolvidos, poucos métodos reconhecem a complicação dos sistemas aquíferos cársticos em camadas, nos quais podem incluir interações entre rochas carbonáticas e não carbonáticas. Este artigo descreve uma versão modificada do método COP aplicada ao Planalto de Kaibab, Arizona, EUA, principal área de bacia de captação de nascentes ao longo do lado norte do Grand Canyon. O método envolve dois modelos que, juntos, produzem uma maior resolução e uma maior diferenciação de vulnerabilidade para aquíferos profundos e suspensos sob o Planalto de Kaibab, no qual substitui o parâmetro original da distância do sumidouro pela densidade de sumidouro. As análises indicam que muitas regiões cársticas se beneficiariam da metodologia desenvolvida para este estudo. Regiões com dados de elevação de alta resolução se beneficiariam da incorporação de dados de densidade de sumidouros em avaliações de vulnerabilidade de aquíferos, e aquíferos cársticos semiconfinados mais profundos se beneficiariam muito com a consideração da localização da falha.
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Acknowledgements
Many thanks to all the peers and mentors that have helped with this project including Stefan Christie, Nick Steele, Mark Nebel, Krista Keski-Hynnila, Claire Spangenberg, Natalie Tanski, Coleman Hiett, Alex Wood, Casey Jones, and many more.
Funding
Thank you to all sponsoring organizations that made this research possible including the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Grand Canyon Conservations, Conservation Legacy, AmeriCorps, GeoCorps, Geoscientist-in-the-parks program, northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon National Park, and Kaibab National Forest.
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Jones, N.A., Hansen, J., Springer, A.E. et al. Modeling intrinsic vulnerability of complex karst aquifers: modifying the COP method to account for sinkhole density and fault location. Hydrogeol J 27, 2857–2868 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-02056-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-02056-2