Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Preliminary analysis of spatial development of karst using a geostatistical simulation approach

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Earth science phenomena are primarily spatially dependent with variations occurring on varying scales. Geostatistics is a well-known approach for the assessment of spatial models of regionalized variables, such as porosity. In this study, we used the results of 953 Lugeon tests (402 tests in exploratory wells and 550 tests in grouting wells) to assess effective porosity and karst development at the Tangab Dam site, Iran. Lugeon values were first normalized, following which the variogram method (i.e., range, sill, and nugget effect) was used to identify the spatial variability of Lugeon values. A high correlation range of 200 m was obtained along the grout curtain galleries, while the range was about 40 m in the vertical direction. The simple kriging method with Gaussian variograms was determined to be the best method for estimating the Lugeon values in the study area using cross validation-criteria (e.g., RMSE = 0.835 and ρ = 0.914). Spatial variation of Lugeon values was mapped using a simulated annealing approach. The analysis revealed: (1) a higher potential for karst development on the left abutment of the Tangab Dam site, (2) the average of simulated Lugeon values decreased from values of about 180 close to the ground surface at 1,440 m a.s.l. to lower values of about 50 at 1,260 m a.s.l., and (3) high Lugeon values in the abutments of the dam site approximately followed the 15° bedrock dip, which confirms the potential development of karst features in the Asmari limestone. A schematic model for development of karst at the Tangab Dam site is proposed based on hydrogeological data and results of simulated Lugeon values around the dam site.

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
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed S (2007) Application of geostatistics in hydrosciences. In: Thangarajan M (ed) Groundwater. Springer SBM, Berlin New York, pp 78–111

  • Ahmed S, De Marsily G (1987) Comparison of geostatistical methods for estimating transmissivity using data on transmissivity and specific capacity. Water Resour Res 23(9):1717–1737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asadi N (1998) The study of water tightness problem in Tangab Dam by use of dye tracers. Shiraz University, Shiraz

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakalowicz M (2005) Karst groundwater: a challenge for new resources. Hydrogeol J 13(1):148–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brassington F, Walthall S (1985) Field techniques using borehole packers in hydrogeological investigations. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 18(2):181–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch C, Journel A (1998) GSLIB: Geostatistical software library and user's guide, 2nd edn. Applied Geostatistics Series. Oxford University Press, New York

  • Fars Regional Water Authority (2007) Engineering geology of Tangab Dam site. Fars Regional Water Authority, Shiraz

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford DC, Williams P (2007) Karst hydrogeology and geomorphology. Wiley, Chichester

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Goldscheider N, Drew D (2007) Methods in karst hydrogeology. International contributions to hydrogeology, vol. 26. International Association of Hydrogeologists. Taylor and Francis Group, London

  • Goovaerts P (1997) Geostatistics for natural resources evaluation. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Hevesi JA, Istok JD, Flint AL (1992) Precipitation estimation in mountainous terrain using multivariate geostatistics. Part I: structural analysis. J Appl Meteorol 31(7):661–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houlsby A (1976) Routine interpretation of the Lugeon water test. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 9:303–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isaaks EH, Srivastava RM (1989) Applied geostatistics. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaquet O, Siegel P, Klubertanz G, Benabderrhamane H (2004) Stochastic discrete model of karstic networks. Adv Water Resour 27(7):751–760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi H (1998) Hydrogeological and hydrochemical evaluation of springs and piezometers of Podenow anticline. University of Shiraz, Firozabad

    Google Scholar 

  • Karimi H, Raeisi E, Zare M (2000) Hydrogeology and origin of the Sirezjan Cave, Firozabad. Paper presented at the 4th Conference of the Geological Society of Iran. Tabriz, Iran

  • Karimi H, Raeisi E, Zare M (2005) Physicochemical time series of karst springs as a tool to differentiate the source of spring water. Carbonates Evaporites 20(2):138–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krešić N (2007) Hydrogeology and groundwater modeling. CRC Press, Baton Rouge

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugeon M (1933) Barrages et Geologie. 138 S. Librairie de l’Université, Lausanne

  • Merritt AH (1996) Geotechnical aspects of the design and construction of dams and pressure tunnels in soluble rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 2:86A

    Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic PT (2000) Geological engineering in karst. Zebra, Belgrade

    Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic P (2004) Water resources engineering in karst. CRC Press, Baton Rouge

  • Mohammadi Z, Raeisi E (2007) Hydrogeological uncertainties in delineation of leakage at karst dam sites, the Zagros Region Iran. J Cave Karst Stud 69(3):305–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi Z, Raeisi E, Bakalowicz M (2007) Method of leakage study at the karst dam site. A case study: khersan 3 Dam, Iran. Environ Geol 52(6):1053–1065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neuman SP, Fogg GE, Jacobson EA (1980) A statistical approach to the inverse problem of aquifer hydrology: 2 case study. Water Resour Res 16(1):33–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North LA, van Beynen PE, Parise M (2009) Interregional comparison of karst disturbance: west-central Florida and southeast Italy. J Environ Manag 90(5):1770–1781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer AN (2000) Hydrogeologic control of cave patterns. In: Klimchouk AB, Ford DC, Palmer AN, Dreybrodt W (eds) Speleogenesis: evolution of karst aquifers. National Speleological Society, Huntsville, pp 77–90

  • Pardo-Igúzquiza E, Dowd PA, Xu C, Durán-Valsero JJ (2012) Stochastic simulation of karst conduit networks. Adv Water Resour 35:141–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parise M, Gunn J (eds) (2007) Natural and anthropogenic hazards in karst areas: recognition, analysis and mitigation. Geol Soc London Spec Publ 279:185–197

  • Razack M, Lasm T (2006) Geostatistical estimation of the transmissivity in a highly fractured metamorphic and crystalline aquifer (Man-Danane Region, Western Ivory Coast). J Hydrol 325(1):164–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talaei H (1999) Investigation on the flow path through the karstic formation of the left abutment of Tangab Dam by the means of rhodamine-B dye tracer. Shiraz University, Shiraz

    Google Scholar 

  • White WB (1988) Geomorphology and hydrology of karst terrains. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Y (2010) Geostatistical interpolation and simulation of RQD measurements. University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Shiraz University, 71454, Shiraz, Iran

    Morteza Akhondi & Zargham Mohammadi

Authors
  1. Morteza Akhondi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zargham Mohammadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zargham Mohammadi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Akhondi, M., Mohammadi, Z. Preliminary analysis of spatial development of karst using a geostatistical simulation approach. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73, 1037–1047 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0599-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0599-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation