Projects / Programmes
Protection of karst water sources
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.01 |
Humanities |
Geography |
Physical geography |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
karst, hydrology, water protection, vulnerability, hazard, risk, monitoring of water quality, Malenščica spring, Korentan spring, Postojna, Slovenija
Researchers (5)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
By using modern research methods comparable to those used in Europe we shall perform an estimation of karst water sources under pollution threat in the Postojna commune based on comparison between vulnerability and pollution hazard on their recharge areas. This applicative task will be widened into an applicative research project as the basis of such a research is represented by a method of vulnerability mapping "European Approach", not yet used at us, developed within the European project COST 620 "Vulnerability and risk mapping for protection of carbonate (karst) aquifers" (the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU takes part at this project also). This method is conceived as a standard allowing the uniform approach to aquifer protection in the European region and at the same time permits to include special regional properties. Thus in the suggested project we shall analyse how much the incorporation of specific components into the basic method is suitable and we shall check the applicability of these innovative forms. We shall use the results of numerous previous researches already done in the test area and we shall complement them by new ones necessary to define the parameters of vulnerability. On the base of vulnerability and hazard maps combination, using GIS tools, we shall prepare the risk maps summarizing probable or expected frequencies of harmful consequences of pollution and representing the foundation to delineate the protection zones in the recharge area of water sources.
On the other hand while planning the protection of water sources one must not neglect the data of their quality. Nowadays we are already aware of the necessity to establish a suitable monitoring system yet there are several open questions related to mode and frequency of planned analyses. In selected study areas we shall test and compare different physico-chemical, biological and microbiological methods of studying the quality of superficial and underground waters.
By joining both parts of our research we shall provide a corresponding technical basis which Postojna commune, the user of the project, can apply while preparing legal acts related to water sources protection. At the same time the developed method will represent the test case of water safeguarding also in other karst areas.
