Karst Conduit Location Detection Using Innovative Technologies

Knowing the existence and location of karst conduits located below the water table is of interest to characterization and the proper management of karst aquifers. Determining conduit locations, however, is challenging. Direct detection of karst conduits below the water table typically requires exploration by cave divers or the use of dye tracer tests. Indirect indicators, such as groundwater troughs, correlating dolines with the upgradient ends of conduits, variable rate pump tests, water-level responses, water chemistry indicators, changes in hydraulic gradients, and groundwater age distribution, are occasionally useful. In most cases, however, limited information, either direct or indirect, is available to assist in conduit characterization. Assessments using a conduit-matrix groundwater flow simulator and the potential for remote conduit measurement using sensors that flow through water-filled conduits offer additional technologies to reduce uncertainty in karst conduit location determination and ultimately map out karst aquifer springsheds. Examples of the application of these technologies are presented.