Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.15233/gfz.2023.40.1

The role of slope inclination, doline density and water budget analysis in delineation of complex karst catchment area of Slunjčica River (Croatia)

Dado Gladović ; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Parlov orcid.org/0000-0002-2862-7222 ; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dario Perković ; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Nakić orcid.org/0000-0001-6353-8500 ; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Kovač orcid.org/0000-0001-8091-7975 ; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Due to the high vulnerability of the karst aquifer to the surface contaminants, a precisely defined catchment area has the highest priority. In this study, the influence of slope inclination, the doline density analysis, and the water budget analysis in the delineation process of a complex karst catchment area is discussed. To define hydrogeological role of lithological units, cross sections of slope inclination and doline density were combined with hydrogeological cross sections, while the degree of karstification was used to describe the permeability of rock units. The verification of karst catchment delineation area was performed with water budget analysis. The methodology used for the determination of hydrogeological behavior and delineation of a complex karst catchment area (Slunjčica River basin, Croatia) is shown with the flow diagram. It has been found that the highest doline density appears in the range from 0 to 1° of the slope inclinations, and that it decreases with a higher slope degree. Although the results of this study confirm that even with the relatively small number of input data it is possible to define the karst catchment area, it must be emphasized that the doline density analysis presents an indispensable tool in the research related to the definition of karst catchment areas.

Keywords

karst catchment; doline density; slope inclination; water budget analysis; Slunjčica River (Croatia)

Hrčak ID:

308542

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/308542

Publication date:

31.7.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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