Permanent Link:

https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0069982/00001

Material Information

Title:

A Model of Subterranean Limestone Erosion in the British Isles Based on Hydrology

Series Title:

Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers

Creator:

Newson, Malcolm D.

Publication Date:

1971

Language:

Spanish

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:

Particle-Size Distribution ( local )
Turbidity ( local )
Faecal Bacteria Contamination ( local )
Karst Groundwater Monitoring ( local )
Total Organic Carbon ( local )

Genre:

serial ( sobekcm )

Notes

Abstract:

Mobile particles play crucial roles for contaminant transport in karst aquifers, but few studies have investigated the relationships between sediment dynamics and contaminants. This is partly due to the difficulty in monitoring suspended particles: Turbidity is easy to measure but does not deliver detailed information on the size and type of particles; mineralogical laboratory analyses are laborious and not suitable for continuous monitoring. A portable particle counter was used for the study presented here. The instrument delivers time-series of particle-size distribution (PSD), i.e. the number and diameter of suspended particles, grouped into different size-classes ranging from 0.9 to 139 µm. The test site is a karst system near the city of Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. A swallow hole draining agricultural land is connected to two karst springs, 4.8 and 6.3 km away, which are occasionally contaminated by faecal bacteria at highly variable levels. Turbidity alone turned out not to be a reliable indicator for microbial contamination. To obtain more insight into bacteria and particle transport towards the springs, a comprehensive research program was carried out, including tracer tests and monitoring of PSD, turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC), faecal bacteria (E. coli) and various hydrologic and physicochemical parameters. Results show that there are two types of turbidity: A primary turbidity signal occurs shortly after rainfall during the rising limb of the hydrograph; a secondary signal typically occurs during spring fl ow recession. The fi rst signal is explained by remobilization of conduit sediments due to a hydraulic pressure pulse (autochthonous or pulse-through turbidity). The second peak indicates the arrival of water from the swallow hole, often together with TOC and faecal bacteria (allochthonous or fl ow-through turbidity). PSD analyses revealed that autochthonous turbidity is composed of a broad mixture of fi ne and large particles, while allochthonous turbidity predominantly consists of very fi

Original Version:

Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Vol. 54 (1971).

Record Information

Source Institution:

University of South Florida Library

Holding Location:

University of South Florida

Rights Management:

This object is protected by copyright, and is made available here for research and educational purposes. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the object beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

USFLDC Membership

Aggregations:

University of South Florida
Karst Information Portal

Postcard Information

Format:

serial