Hydrological and Hydrogeological Characteristics of the Platform Karst (Zemo Imereti Plateau, Georgia)

The article discusses the hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics of the platform karst of Zemo Imereti plateau. The structural plateau of Zemo Imereti is the part of the intermountain plain karst zone of Georgia and one of the interesting parts of the karst relief development. The above mentioned karst region includes the easternmost part of western Georgia, which is characterized by peculiar natural conditions (relief, tectonics, climate, surface and underground streams) and represents one of the significant platform karst regions in the Caucasus. On the basis of the cartographic materials (GIS) analysis and borehole data the general scheme of hydrogeological setting of the Zemo Imereti structural plateau (two hydrogeological basins were defined) was created as confirmed by experiments. In addition, it was identified that underground karst water flowing from the periphery to the center determines sedimentation together with the broken dislocations within the frame of the structural plateau. The study found that within the Chiatura structural plateau the joint karst hydrogeological system (with enough dynamic water resources) has been established, which mainly is unloaded in sources of Ghrudo vaucluse and the surrounding area (local erosion basis). Ghrudo hydrogeological system and Chiatura structural plateau are characterized by the systems of isolated karst-fissure waters with different hypsometric location and orientation. Therefore, based on these studies, it could be said that in karst areas the structural features can define the characteristic of groundwater circulation, but karst age can also make a significant adjustment.