Use and protection of karst water sources

This course is part of the programme
Karstology (Third Cycle)

Objectives and competences

The students understands the importance of karst water resources for water supply and the high vulnerability of karst aquifers. They learn about the meaning and characteristics of hydrogeological research, which is a prerequisite for the proper utilization of water resources. They learn the basic methods for vulnerability mapping and risk contamination. They are able to self-evaluate, interpret and present the results obtained.

Prerequisites

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Content

Karst aquifers are important sources of water supply. Approximately 25% of world population drinks karst water, and according to some experts this share will increase to 80% until 2025. In Slovenia this share is 50%. On the other hand, karst is a very vulnerable environment endangered by various human activities, which can result in a pollution of water sources. Water from the surface infiltrates fast in the underground and flows along well permeable karst channels and fissures. In short period harmful substances in water can spread in broader area and cause a decrease of karst water quality. A part of water can be stored in less permeable zones for longer time, which means a long-lasting pollution. Therefore karst is very vulnerable and its protection should be based on a good understanding of the characteristics of karst and its functioning. For the researchers and managers these specific characteristics of karst represent a great challenge in the planning of human activities on karst. They need some basic knowledge about karst hydrology, as well as some additional expertise.

Intended learning outcomes

Student knows different types of karst aquifers, their characteristics and importance for the water supply. He becomes familiar with the researches for water supply and different types of captures, with vulnerability of karst aquifers and different sources of pollution. He understands general characteristics of the transport of harmful substances in karst water systems. He is able to combine different factors of vulnerability and hazard into a risk analysis. Student becomes familiar with the legislation in the field of water protection. He understands the state-of-the-art and possible future scenarios of exploitation and protection of karst water resources in Slovenia and abroad.

Readings

  • Stevanović, Z. (ed.) (2015): Karst aquifers - Characterization and engineering, Series: Professional Practice in Earth Science, Springer International Publishing, 692 pp., Cham, Heidelberg, NY, Dordrecht, London Catalogue
  • Hartmann, A., N. Goldscheider, T. Wagener, J. Lange, and M. Weiler. "Karst water resources in a changing world: Review of hydrological modeling approaches." Reviews of Geophysics 52, no. 3 (2014): 218-242. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013RG000443 E-version
  • Ravbar, Nataša, and Stanka Šebela. "The effectiveness of protection policies and legislative framework with special regard to karst landscapes: insights from Slovenia." Environmental Science & Policy 51 (2015): 106-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2015.02.013 E-version
  • Stevanović, Zoran. "Karst waters in potable water supply: a global scale overview." Environmental Earth Sciences 78, no. 23 (2019): 662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8670-9 E-version
  • Ravbar, Nataša, Janez Mulec, Cyril Mayaud, Matej Blatnik, Blaž Kogovšek, and Metka Petrič. "A comprehensive early warning system for karst water sources contamination risk, case study of the Unica springs, SW Slovenia." Science of The Total Environment 885 (2023): 163958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163958 E-version

Assessment

Oral examination 100%.

Lecturer's references

Adjunct Professor of Karstology

Bibliography:

https://bib.cobiss.net/bibliographies/si/webBiblio/bib201_20211120_230339_a5282659.html

RAVBAR, Nataša, MULEC, Janez, MAYAUD, Cyril, BLATNIK, Matej, KOGOVŠEK, Blaž, PETRIČ, Metka. A comprehensive early warning system for contamination risk assessment of karst water sources, case study of the Unica springs, SW Slovenia. Science of the total environment. Aug. 2023, vol. 885, [article no.] 163958, 13 str., ilustr., graf. prikazi, zvd. ISSN 0048-9697. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723025792, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163958. [COBISS.SI-ID 151149315]
ĆUK, Marina, PETRIČ, Metka, JEMCOV, Igor, MULEC, Janez, MAZEJ, Zdenka, MAYAUD, Cyril, BLATNIK, Matej, KOGOVŠEK, Blaž, RAVBAR, Nataša. Multivariate statistical analysis of hydrochemical and microbiological natural tracers as a tool for understanding karst hydrodynamics (the Unica springs, SW Slovenia). Water resources research. November 2022, vol. 58, issue 11, e2021wr031831, str. 1-20, ilustr., graf. prikazi, zvd. ISSN 0043-1397. https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2021WR031831, DOI: 10.1029/2021WR031831. [COBISS.SI-ID 130909443]
RAVBAR, Nataša, PETRIČ, Metka, BLATNIK, Matej, ŠVARA, Astrid. A multi-methodological approach to create improved indicators for the adequate karst water source protection. Ecological indicators : integrating monitoring, assessment and management. July 2021, vol. 126, 14 str., ilustr. ISSN 1470-160X. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X21003587, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107693. [COBISS.SI-ID 61336323]
OLARINOYE, Tunde, GLEESON, Tom, MARX, Vera, SEEGER, Stefan, ADINEHVAND, Rouhollah, ALLOCCA, Vincenzo, ANDREO, Bartolomé, APAÉSTEGUI, James, APOLIT, Christophe, ARFIB, Bruno, BLATNIK, Matej, RAVBAR, Nataša, et al. Global karst springs hydrograph dataset for research and management of the world's fastest-flowing groundwater. Scientific data. 20 Feb. 2020, 7, article no. 59, ilustr. ISSN 2052-4463. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-019-0346-5, DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0346-5. [COBISS.SI-ID 45966637]
KOVAČIČ, Gregor, PETRIČ, Metka, RAVBAR, Nataša. Evaluation and quantification of the effects of climate and vegetation cover change on karst water sources : case studies of two springs in South-Western Slovenia. Water. 2020, letn. 12, št. 3087, str. 1-20, ilustr. ISSN 2073-4441. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113087, DOI: 10.3390/w12113087. [COBISS.SI-ID 35802883]