Naslov
Influence of submarine groundwater discharge on seawater properties in Rovanjska-Modrič karst region (Croatia)

Autori
Surić, Maša ; Lončarić, Robert ; Buzjak, Nenad ; Schultz, Stewart T. ; Šangulin, Jadranka ; Maldini, Krešimir ; Tomas, Damir

Izvornik
Environmental Earth Sciences (1866-6280) 74 (2015), 7; 5625-5638

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
submarine groundwater discharge; coastal karst; submarine springs; intermittent groundwater intertidal outlets; eastern Adriatic coast; Croatia

Sažetak
Coastal karst aquifers are dynamic hydrogeological systems with substantial hydrological, geomorphological and ecological impacts on the marine and coastal karst ecosystems, mostly induced by the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). This paper presents complex hydrogeological settings of the Rovanjska-Modrič coastal karst region on the eastern Adriatic coast characterized by: i) high temporal and spatial variations in seawater properties ii) significantly reshaped coastal bottom morphology, and iii) plethora of associated biocenoses from fresh water, brackish, marine and cave assemblages. With the aim of resolving spatiotemporal interconnections of SGD and marine environment changes, we conducted field prospection and seasonal measurements of different water properties on- and offshore. Obtained results pointed to: i) the composite recharge system consisting of numerous sinking rivers in the distant hinterland (with different climate settings) and local precipitation input, ii) specific discharge settings highly governed by a complicated karst conduits network, the hydrological situation in the hinterland and local meteorological conditions, i.e. one system that permanently feeds coastal and probably submarine springs, while the other operates periodically, iii) disturbed winter isothermy and three-layered summer stratification of the sea water column, and iv) slightly changed trophic settings. All of that is the consequence of extreme heterogeneity of the coastal karst aquifer, characteristic for the eastern Adriatic coast.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija, Biologija, Geografija

POVEZANOST RADA