Contrasting definitions for the term ‘karst aquifer’

Author

Stephen R.H. Worthington
Pierre-Yves Jeannin
E. C. Alexander

Files

Publication Date

January 2017

Abstract

It is generally considered that karst aquifers have distinctly different properties from other bedrock aquifers. A search of the literature found five definitions that have been proposed to differentiate karst aquifers from non-karstic aquifers. The five definitions are based upon the presence of solution channel networks, hydraulic conductivities >10−6 m/s, karst landscapes, channels with turbulent flow, and caves. The percentage of unconfined carbonate aquifers that would classify as ‘karst’ ranges from <1 to >50%.

Keywords

Karst, Conceptual Models, Dual Porosity, Carbonate Rocks, Silicate Rocks

Document Type

Article

Notes

Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 25, no. 5 (2017).

Identifier

SFS0073024_00001

Recommended Citation

Worthington, Stephen R.H.; Jeannin, Pierre-Yves; and Alexander, E. C., "Contrasting definitions for the term ‘karst aquifer’" (2017). KIP Articles. 1224.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/1224