engleski

Identifying new groudwater reserves in central and northern Istria, outside area of influence on major springs

A constant deficiency of drinking water in Istria in Croatia during summer periods, require finding new reserves of high quality groundwater. The task encompasses areas outside the area of influence on the large springs because every intervention in that area can decrease the natural spring discharge. The main assumption for investigation is that the groundwater flow is controlled by bedding planes in the limestone, regional fault zones and faults and faults bordering large structural units. Furthermore, significant local groundwater volumes can be channeled by faults within the structural units. This research represents a new approach to the investigation of karst hydrogeology and groundwater flow in karst aquifers in Croatia. In the frame of regional geology, the taken approach emphasizes the importance of sedimentological processes and conditions, which are responsible for the formation of these aquifers and its petrographic properties, which also influences groundwater quality. It especially emphasizes the structural evolution of aquifers, from sedimentation, burial, folding and uplift, to present structures and structural features, which makes them aquifers. Based on structural interpretation, recent maximum stress orientation, geomorphologic data and tracing data, realistic groundwater pathways are estimated and the potential area for finding high quality groundwater is delineated. In the delineated areas, detailed structural and geophysical investigation should be conducted before well drilling. The paper presents two representative areas in which substantial amounts of groundwater are expected and whose potential yield would not affect the discharge of springs, which are already being used for water supply.

Groundwater reserves ; Structural settings ; Istria

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