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Characterisation of rapid infiltration flows and vulnerability in a karst aquifer using a decomposed fluorescence signal of dissolved organic matter

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Abstract

The fluorescent properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have been used as natural tracers in various water systems. However, only few studies have focused on groundwater systems, specifically, on karst systems. The aim of this study was to develop the use of the DOM fluorescence signal as a natural tracer, considering the multiple compartments of a karst system. This method was applied to the Lez hydrosystem, which supplies the city of Montpellier with drinking water. The hydrodynamics and hydrochemistry of the spring were monitored beginning March 2006. The DOM fluorescence was measured by the excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy technique. The analysis of the total fluorescence signal confirms the efficiency of this tool to trace rapid infiltration flows. Moreover, the decomposition of the signal into different fluorophores complements the information provided by the total signal. Indeed, the fluorescence emitted by the humic compounds seems to be the ideal tool for identifying rapid infiltration flows. Nevertheless, the fluorescence of protein-like compounds is better correlated with the inflow of faecal bacteria at the outlet. This decomposition of the fluorescence signal is an interesting way to provide information on both the rapid infiltration flow as well as the vulnerability of the karst aquifers.

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Abbreviations

DOM:

Dissolved organic matter

EEM:

Excitation–emission matrix

EC:

Electrical conductivity

TOC:

Total organic carbon

HL:

Humic-like

PL:

Protein-like

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, Bâtiment Pôle Montagne, Campus scientifique, 73376, Le Bourget du Lac Cedex, France

    Marine Quiers & Yves Perrette

  2. HydroSciences Montpellier (UMR5569 UM1-UM2-CNRS-IRD), Université Montpellier 2, Place Eugène Bataillon, CC MSE, 34095, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Christelle Batiot-Guilhe, Cristina C. Bicalho, Jean-Luc Seidel & Sandra Van Exter

Authors
  1. Marine Quiers
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  2. Christelle Batiot-Guilhe
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  3. Cristina C. Bicalho
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  4. Yves Perrette
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  5. Jean-Luc Seidel
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  6. Sandra Van Exter
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Correspondence to Marine Quiers.

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Quiers, M., Batiot-Guilhe, C., Bicalho, C.C. et al. Characterisation of rapid infiltration flows and vulnerability in a karst aquifer using a decomposed fluorescence signal of dissolved organic matter. Environ Earth Sci 71, 553–561 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2731-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2731-2

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