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Expect the Unexpected! Groundwater Flow in Karstified Carbonate Aquifers

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H2Karst Research in Limestone Hydrogeology

Part of the book series: Environmental Earth Sciences ((EESCI))

Abstract

Aquifers in carbonate rocks characteristically display triple porosity, the most complex type of groundwater flow system. The complexity arises from antecedent geological conditions, from local geomorphology and climate, and from the patterns of solutional conduits (including accessible caves) and their relationships with any matrix or fracture flow. Much is being learned from study of calcite and other precipitates in such caves. Where not directly accessible, karst aquifers are best approached by study of natural springs, recharge sink points and dye tracing; wells and boreholes are secondary sources. Double continuum and triple porosity designs are most suitable for computer predictive modeling.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S4K1, Canada

    Derek Ford

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  1. Derek Ford
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Correspondence to Derek Ford .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, Doubs, France

    Jacques Mudry

  2. Faculty of Sciences, Center for Hydrogeology and Geothermics, Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland

    François Zwahlen

  3. Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, Doubs, France

    Catherine Bertrand

  4. PELA, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

    James W. LaMoreaux

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Ford, D. (2014). Expect the Unexpected! Groundwater Flow in Karstified Carbonate Aquifers. In: Mudry, J., Zwahlen, F., Bertrand, C., LaMoreaux, J. (eds) H2Karst Research in Limestone Hydrogeology. Environmental Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06139-9_1

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