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Turkish karst aquifers

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Abstract

One third of Turkey’s surface is underlain by carbonate rocks that have been subdivided into four karst regions. The carbonate rock units are about 200 km wide along the Taurus Mountains that attain elevations of 2500 m. Karst features of western Turkey bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean seas demonstrate the tectonic, lithological and climatic controls on the occurrence, movement, and chemical characteristics of groundwater. In Turkey all karstic feature, such as lapies, caves, sinkholes, uvalas, poljes, ground river valleys developed in all karstic areas. Karstification is related not only to the thickness and to purity of limestone, climate and height but also to tectonic movements. Water resources of karst terrains of Turkey are relatively rich and as such are very important for the economic development of the country. High mountain chains, very often associated with the karst terrains, are responsible for some important and beneficial characteristics of these water resources. Four karst regions are: (1) Taurus karst region, (2) southeast Anatolia karst region, (3) central Anatolia karst region, and (4) northwest Anatolia and Thrace karst regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prof. Emeritus, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    G. Günay

  2. Department of Energy Raw Material Research and Exploration, Hydrogeological Research Unit, Ankara, Turkey

    N. Güner

  3. Department of Geological Research, Karst and Cave Research Unit, Ankara, Turkey

    K. Törk

Authors
  1. G. Günay
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  2. N. Güner
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  3. K. Törk
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Correspondence to G. Günay.

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Günay, G., Güner, N. & Törk, K. Turkish karst aquifers. Environ Earth Sci 74, 217–226 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4298-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4298-6

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