Abstract
In karst areas of South China, isolated peaks in peak-forest plains often have foot caves near the water table. Originally, foot caves are formed by surface water on the plain flowing through the peak foot into the underground during the rainy season. Later, surface water might not flow into some foot caves anymore, but foot caves still connect with groundwater. Understanding the role of foot caves is important in comprehending regional groundwater flow and in controlling the damage caused by groundwater flow in cave sites. This study employed a multi-electrode resistivity method to locate karst voids or caves at Zengpiyan cave site, Guilin City (Guangxi Province). Boreholes were used to detect karst features, tracer tests were adopted to assess the flow path and velocity of groundwater, and hydrological observations were conducted on site to reveal groundwater changes. Of the 26 boreholes drilled, 14 found underground caves, with heights ranging from 0.3 to 17.5 m. Groundwater was stored and flowed in four distinct media zones: concentrated flow zone (CFZ), highly fractured zone, cave sediment zone, and matrix-with-fractures zone, in which the foot caves constitute the primary groundwater flow zone. The CFZ was characterized and found to have a minimum hydraulic slope of 0.2%. Thus, the study succeeded in identifying hydrogeological characteristics of foot caves in a karst peak-forest plain and a hydrogeological model of the foot caves was developed. The methodology provides a basis for flood control and groundwater pollution prevention in the hydrogeological unit in which foot caves are located.
Résumé
Dans les zones karstiques de Chine du sud, des tourelles isolées dans cet environnement de karst à tours (karst peak-forest plain) présentent souvent des grottes basales proches du toit de la nappe. A l’origine, ces grottes basales ont été formées par l’eau de surface de la plaine s’infiltrant au travers de la base de la tourelle pendant la saison des pluies. Ensuite, l’eau de surface ne peut plus s’écouler dans certaines de ces grottes basales, mais ces dernières restent connectées hydrauliquement avec le système hydrogéologique. La compréhension du rôle hydrologique de ces grottes basales est importante pour la conceptualisation du système régional d’écoulements d’eaux souterraines et pour contrôler les dégâts causés par les écoulements d’eaux souterraines dans les environs des sites avec des grottes. Cette étude a mis en œuvre la méthode de la résistivité multi-électrodes pour localiser les vides karstiques ou les cavités sur le site de la grotte de Zengpiyan, ville de Guilin (province de Guangxi). Des forages ont été réalisés pour détecter des caractéristiques morphologiques karstiques, des essais de traçage mis en œuvre pour évaluer les directions d’écoulement et la vitesse d’écoulement de l’eau souterraine, et des observations hydrologiques ont été conduites pour mettre en évidence les variations des niveaux de l’eau souterraine. Sur les 26 forages réalisés, 14 ont permis d’identifier des cavités souterraines, avec des hauteurs comprises entre 0.3 m et 17.5 m. L’eau souterraine est stockée et s’écoule dans quatre zones correspondant à des milieux contrastés : une zone d’écoulements concentrés (ZEC), une zone fortement fracturée, une zone de dépôts sédimentaires en grotte, une zone de matrice avec des fractures, dans laquelle les grottes basales constituent la zone d’écoulement souterrain principale. La ZEC a été caractérisée et présente un gradient hydraulique minimum de 0.2 %. De fait, l’étude a permis d’identifier les caractéristiques hydrogéologiques des grottes basales dans une plaine de karst à tourelles et un modèle hydrogéologique de ces grottes basales a été développé. La méthodologie fournit une base pour le contrôle des crues et pour la prévention de la pollution des eaux souterraines au sein de l’unité hydrogéologique dans laquelle les grottes basales sont situées.
Resumen
En las zonas kársticas del sur de China, los picos aislados de las llanuras boscosas a menudo tienen cuevas al pie cerca del nivel freático. Originalmente, las cuevas al pie están formadas por agua superficial en la llanura que fluye a través de la cima del pie hacia el subsuelo durante la temporada de lluvias. Más tarde, es posible que el agua superficial ya no fluya hacia algunas cuevas al pie, pero dichas cuevas todavía se conectan con el agua subterránea. Comprender el papel de las cuevas al pie es importante para comprender el flujo de agua subterránea regional y para controlar el daño causado por el flujo de agua subterránea en los sitios de cuevas. Este estudio empleó un método de resistividad multielectrodo para localizar vacíos kársticos o cuevas en el sitio de la cueva de Zengpiyan, en la ciudad de Guilin (provincia de Guangxi). Se utilizaron pozos de sondeo para detectar las características kársticas, se adoptaron pruebas de trazadores para evaluar la trayectoria del flujo y la velocidad del agua subterránea, y se realizaron observaciones hidrológicas en el sitio para revelar los cambios en el agua subterránea. De los 26 pozos perforados, 14 encontraron cuevas subterráneas, con alturas que oscilaban entre 0.3 y 17.5 m. El agua subterránea se almacenaba y fluía en cuatro zonas de medios distintas: zona de flujo concentrado (CFZ), zona altamente fracturada, zona de sedimentos en cuevas y zona de matriz con fracturas, en la que las cuevas al pie constituyen la zona primaria de flujo de agua subterránea. La CFZ se caracterizó y se encontró que tenía una pendiente hidráulica mínima del 0.2%. Así, el estudio logró identificar las características hidrogeológicas de las cuevas al pie en una llanura kárstica de bosque y se desarrolló un modelo hidrogeológico de las cuevas al pie. La metodología proporciona una base para el control de inundaciones y la prevención de la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas en la unidad hidrogeológica en la que se encuentran las cuevas al pie.
摘要
峰林平原的孤峰常在地下水位附近发育脚洞。脚洞最初是因为平原区的地表水通过孤峰流入地下而形成的。后来, 由于平原面抬升或地下水水位下降, 地表水可能不再通过脚洞汇入地下, 但脚洞仍与地下水连通。相对孤立的脚洞对地下水径流和汇集起何种作用对理解区域地下水流, 特别是控制地下水运动对洞穴遗址的侵害具有重要的作用。本研究通过高密度电法测量寻找不良地质体, 即寻找孔洞或溶洞; 采取水文地质钻探探测岩溶发育特征; 利用示踪试验判断地下水的运动路径和速度; 通过水文在线观测掌握地下水的变化。结果表明, 甑皮岩遗址区26个钻孔中共有14个钻孔揭露了地下溶洞, 垂向延伸高度0.3-17.5 m。地下水在脚洞、强裂隙带、充填的溶洞或覆盖层、裂隙与基质四种岩溶含水介质中存贮和流动, 并由脚洞系统构成地下水的主径流带。推断了地下水集中径流带的分布。集中径流带上下游之间具有最低的水力坡度(0.2%)。为此认识了平原地区脚洞的水文地质特征, 刻画了脚洞系统的水文地质模型, 为脚洞所在水文地质单元中的洪水控制、地下水污染的防治提供科学依据。
Resumo
Nas áreas cársticas do sul da China, picos isolados em florestas de altitude em planícies frequentemente tem cavernas próximas do lençol freático. Originalmente, cavernas de base são formadas por águas superficiais de planície que infiltram na base do pico para o subsolo durante a estação chuvosa. Posteriormente, as águas superficiais provavelmente não irão mais fluir para as cavernas de base, mas elas ainda irão se conectar às águas subterrâneas. É importante entender o papel das cavernas de base para compreender o fluxo regional de águas subterrâneas e controlar os danos causados em locais cavernosos. Este estudo empregou um método de resistividade multieletrodo para localizar cavidades cársticas ou cavernas em Zengpiyan, Cidade de Guilin (Província de Guangxi). Foram utilizados furos para detectar características cársticas, além de testes de traçadores para avaliar a trajetória e a velocidade de fluxo das águas subterrâneas, e observações hidrológicas no local para revelar as mudanças nas águas subterrâneas. Dos 26 poços perfurados, 14 encontraram cavernas subterrâneas, com alturas variando de 0.3 a 17.5 m. As águas subterrâneas estavam armazenadas e fluíram para quatro zonas de meios físicos distintos: zona de fluxo concentrado (ZFC), zona altamente fraturada, zona de sedimentos de cavernas e zona de matriz com fraturas, na qual as cavernas de base constituem a primeira zona de fluxo de águas subterrâneas. A ZFC foi caracterizada com um gradiente hidráulico mínimo de 0.2%. Assim, o estudo obteve sucesso em identificar as características hidrogeológicas de cavernas de base em uma planície cárstica de altitude, além de ter sido desenvolvido um modelo hidrogeológico para essas cavernas. A metodologia fornece uma base para o controle de inundações e a prevenção da poluição das águas subterrâneas na unidade hidrogeológica em que estão localizadas as cavernas de base.
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Acknowledgements
This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (41772269 and 41977168) and Key Research and Development Program of Guangxi (AB18221093). We are grateful for suggestions from Prof. Yuan Daoxian. The authors wish to thank the reviewers for their constructive comments.
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Jiang, G., Guo, F. & Wei, M. Hydrogeological characteristics of foot caves in a karst peak-forest plain in South China. Hydrogeol J 28, 535–548 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-02096-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-02096-8