Abstract
Analysis of natural responses of karst springs provides information on the behavior of the aquifers they drain. Detailed monitoring and qualitative and quantitative analyses of natural responses, and environmental—total organic carbon (TOC), NO3 −, Cl− and intrinsic fluorescence—and artificial (fluorescent dye) tracers, in the water drained by Villanueva del Rosario spring (southern Spain), suggest the existence of a conduit flow system with rapid flows and very short transit times of water through the aquifer. This is in agreement with uranine and eosin breakthrough curves and with simple numerical models done using these data. However, due to the low capacity for natural regulation, not all the recharge effects are simultaneously transmitted to the spring water; given a single input, the system modulates and transfers hydrodynamic variations faster than variations of chemical composition and of water temperature. Additionally, time lags between maximum concentrations of natural and artificial tracers show that the global system response (including diffuse infiltration) is faster and more sensitive than that produced from infiltration concentrated at a single point on the surface (sinkholes).
Résumé
L’analyse des réponses naturelles des sources karstiques fournissent une information sur le comportement des aquifères qu’elles drainent. Un suivi détaillé et des analyses qualitatives et quantitatives des réponses naturelles, et des traceurs environnementaux—carbone organique total (COT), NO3 −, Cl− et fluorescence intrinsèque—et artificiels (colorants fluorescents), dans l’eau drainée par la source de Villanueva del Rosario (Sud de l’Espagne), suggère l’existence d’un système d’écoulement dominé par des conduits avec des écoulements rapides et des temps de transit très courts de l’eau au sein de l’aquifère. Ceci est en accord avec les courbes de restitution de l’uranine et de l’éosine et avec des modèles numériques simples utilisant ces données. Cependant, à cause de la faible capacité de régulation naturelle, tous les effets de la recharge ne sont pas transmis simultanément à la source, considérant une contribution unique, le système module et transfère les variations hydrodynamiques plus vite que les variations de la composition chimique et de la température de l’eau. De plus, les décalages dans le temps entre les concentrations maximums des traceurs naturels et artificiels montrent que la réponse globale du système (y compris l’infiltration diffuse) est plus rapide et beaucoup plus sensible que celle produite par l’infiltration concentrée au niveau d’un point singulier d’introduction en surface (pertes).
Resumen
El análisis de las respuestas naturales de manantiales kársticos informa sobre del comportamiento de los acuíferos que drenan. El muestreo detallado y los análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos de las respuestas naturales, y los trazadores ambientales—carbono orgánico total (TOC), NO3 −, Cl− y fluorescencia natural—y artificiales (colorantes fluorescentes), en el agua drenada por el manantial de Villanueva del Rosario (sur de España), sugiere la existencia de un sistema de conductos con flujos rápidos y tiempos de tránsito del agua muy cortos a través del acuífero. Esto está de acuerdo con las curvas de concentración de la uranina y la eosina y con los modelos numéricos simples realizados usando estos datos. Sin embargo, debido a la baja capacidad de regulación natural, no todos los efectos de la recarga son transmitidos simultáneamente al agua del manantial; ante una entrada, el sistema modula y transfiere las variaciones hidrodinámicas más rápidamente que las variaciones en la composición química y en la temperatura del agua. Adicionalmente, los retardos temporales entre las concentraciones máximas de trazadores naturales y artificiales muestran que la respuesta global del sistema (incluyendo la infiltración difusa) es más rápida y más sensible que aquella producida a partir de la infiltración concentrada en un solo punto en la superficie (sumidero kárstico).
摘要
岩溶泉自然反应分析提供了其含水层的行为信息。(西班牙南部)Villanueva del Rosario泉自然反应的详细监测及定量和定性分析、水中的环境(总有机碳(TOC)、 NO3 −、 Cl− 及内荧光)及人工(荧光染料)示踪剂显示存在着通过含水层的快速流动管道水流系统及很短的过渡时间。这与荧光素钠和曙红突破曲线一致,也与用这些数据做的简单数值模型一致。然而,由于自然调节能力很低,并不是所有的补给影响同时传到泉水;考虑到单一的输入项,系统调整和传输水文动力变化的速度比化学组分和水温变化要快。另外,天然和人工示踪剂最大含量之间的时滞显示,全球系统反应(包括弥散渗入)比集中在地表一个点(落水洞)产生的渗入更快、更敏感。
Resumo
A análise das respostas naturais de nascentes cársicas fornece informações sobre o comportamento dos aquíferos que drenam. A monitorização detalhada realizada, bem como os resultados de análises qualitativas e quantitativas das respostas naturais e ambientais—carbono orgânico total (COT), NO3 −, Cl− rescência intrínseca—e com traçadores artificiais (corante fluorescente) na água drenada pela nascente de Villanueva del Rosario (sul de Espanha), sugerem a existência de um sistema de escoamento da água no aquífero efetuado por condutas com fluxos rápidos e tempos de percurso muito baixos. Esta análise está de acordo com os dados obtidos com curvas de traçadores de uranina e de eosina, e com modelos numéricos simples feitos usando esses dados. No entanto, devido à baixa capacidade de regulação natural, nem todos os processos de recarga são transmitidos simultaneamente à água de nascente; considerando uma única entrada, o sistema modela e transfere variações hidrodinâmicas mais rapidamente do que as variações da composição química e da temperatura da água. Além disso, os lapsos de tempo entre as concentrações máximas de marcadores naturais e artificiais mostram que a resposta do sistema global (incluindo infiltração difusa) é mais rápida e mais sensível do que a produzida a partir de infiltração concentrada num único ponto na superfície (algar).
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Acknowledgements
This work is a contribution to the projects CGL2008-06158 and CGL-2012-32590 of DGICYT and IGCP 598 of UNESCO, and to the Research Group RNM-308 of the Junta de Andalucía. The authors thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticisms which contributed to improving the original version of the manuscript. Improvements and suggestions done by Dr. Ate Visser as associated editor are also much appreciated.
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Mudarra, M., Andreo, B., Marín, A.I. et al. Combined use of natural and artificial tracers to determine the hydrogeological functioning of a karst aquifer: the Villanueva del Rosario system (Andalusia, southern Spain). Hydrogeol J 22, 1027–1039 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1117-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1117-1